Hooker County

General

Population: 711
Land area (sq. mi.): 721.16
Population per square mile: 1.0

Race and Age

Race

White: 93.2%
African American: 0.6%
American Indian: 0.1%
Asian: 0.1%
Hispanic: 1.5%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 0.0%
Two or More Races: 4.4%

Age

0-17: 22.5%
18-64: 48.6%
65+: 28.9%

Socioeconomics

Personal income per capita: $49,027
% of Population in Poverty: 7.9%
# of Housing Units: 408
Owner-occupied rate: 75.5%
Median home price: $111,030

Technology

Access to broadband (100 Mbps via fiber or cable modem): 22.7%

Sources: National Association of Realtors, Nebraska Library Commission, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau

Employment, Schools, and Child Care

Unemployment rate: 2.0% (as of September 2022)

County Employment Website: https://co.hooker.ne.us/webpages/links/public_notices.html

High school graduate or higher: 93.8%

School Districts: Mullen Public Schools

Bachelor's degree or higher: 24.8%

Community College Service Area: Mid-Plains Community College

Countywide child care capacity: 2 providers; 21 children

Find child care: For a list of child care providers in your zip code, visit Nebraska DHHS or the Nebraska Resource and Referral System.

Hooker County Economy

Annual Gross Domestic Product (2020): $33,801,000

Cattle Producers: 72

• Pastureland Cash Rent (avg.): $14/acre

Crop Producers: 5

Local Grain Market: Click for today's grain prices in Hooker County

Electricity Providers: Custer PPD, PREMA, Village of Mullen

Wind Turbines Operating (MW): 1 turbine (MW unknown)

Rail-served Communities: Mullen

Well Locations (Irrigation/Livestock), Soils, Groundwater & Surface Water

Total Irrigation/Livestock Wells: 559

Surface Water Diversions (Irrigation): 3

Click for real time:

Groundwater level data north of the Middle Loup River near Seneca (9 mi. east of Mullen)

Groundwater level data near NE Hwy 2 & N. Hecla Rd. (15.5 mi. west of Mullen) • Eastern well in row of 3

Groundwater level data near NE Hwy 2 & N. Hecla Rd. (16 mi. west of Mullen) • Middle well in row of 3

Groundwater level data near NE Hwy 2 & N. Hecla Rd. (16.5 mi. west of Mullen) • Western well in row of 3

Sources: National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA), Nebraska Cooperative Council, Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Office of the CIO, Nebraska Power Review Board, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau

2022 Levies and Valuation

County levy rate: $0.2422 per $100 of taxable valuation

County property taxes levied: $849,122

Total local government property taxes levied: $3,262,418

Total countywide taxable valuation: $350,634,420

Federal PILT payment to Garden County (FY2022): $603 regarding 205 federally-owned acres

Click here for all levy rates in Hooker County

County Levy and Taxation Laws

Levy limits

Since 1996, counties and other political subdivisions have been subject to the levy limits listed in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3442 and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3443.

Statutes and regulations

Nebraska Revised Statutes (Chapter 77)

Nebraska Administrative Code (Title 350)

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-201(2) (Valuation of agricultural land and horticultural land): "Agricultural land and horticultural land as defined in section 77-1359 shall constitute a separate and distinct class of property for purposes of property taxation, shall be subject to taxation, unless expressly exempt from taxation, and shall be valued at seventy-five percent of its actual value, except that for school district taxes levied to pay the principal and interest on bonds that are approved by a vote of the people on or after January 1, 2022, such land shall be valued at fifty percent of its actual value."

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-6703(1) (Tax credit for school district taxes paid): "(1) For taxable years beginning or deemed to begin on or after January 1, 2020, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, there shall be allowed to each eligible taxpayer a refundable credit against the income tax imposed by the Nebraska Revenue Act of 1967 or against the franchise tax imposed by sections 77-3801 to 77-3807. The credit shall be equal to the credit percentage for the taxable year, as set by the department under subsection (2) of this section, multiplied by the amount of school district taxes paid by the eligible taxpayer during such taxable year."

Sources: Nebraska Department of Revenue

State Senator: Mike Jacobson (District 42)

Standing Committees (click for scheduled committee hearings): 

• Banking, Commerce and Insurance (vice chairperson)
• Natural Resources

Select Committees:

• Committee on Committees

Special Committees: 

• Legislative Performance Audit
• Statewide Tourism and Recreation Water Access and Resource Sustainability

Map and statistics for Legislative District 42

Map of all districts in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature

Hooker County History

Number of Registered Historic Places: 3

Year Authorized: 1889

Year Organized: 1889

Etymology: Thomas Hooker (U.S. army general)

     In 1922, Nebraska created a county-code license plate system that assigned a one- or two-digit number to each county. The codes were based on the number of registered vehicles in the county at the time, with lower numbers reflecting a greater number of registered vehicles (e.g., 1 equals the highest number of registered vehicles in a county in 1922). Hooker County bears the distinction of bearing the “93,” or the county with the fewest registered vehicles in 1922. But despite its sparse population, Hooker County boasts a proud and rich history equal that of any other Nebraska county.

     For example, most Nebraskans know that the famous Texas-Nebraska cattle drives cut through southwest Nebraska before veering up to Ogalala, among other destinations. However, many might be surprised to learn that several cattle drives crossed further north through Hooker County on their way to South Dakota. The extra mileage was not for the faint of heart, even among the most formidable cowboys. The Sandhills, with its sifting soil, sparse vegetation, and few permanent watering holes, posed grim challenges at the very end of an already exhausting journey. Moreover, the journey back home was also fraught with danger, most notably, Sioux warriors defiantly clinging to their hunting lands dispossessed by the U.S. government.

     The meager grazing grounds and lack of fertile soil inhibited the rapid development and population spikes experienced by nearby counties. In fact, it was only in 1884 that Hooker County saw its first permanent settlers. Drawn by the Dismal River, homesteaders established the first settlement along both sides of the northern and southern forks of the river. 

     It was not to last, however, as the railroad line burst westward along Hooker County’s north border in the late 1870’s. Mullen first emerged as a railroad depot, and a decade later, Amos Gandy and George Trefren purchased property to establish the town, awaiting the legislative decree formally organizing the county. The declaration was passed down the next year and Hooker County was established, named after Civil War General Joseph Hooker.

     Today, despite its humble stature, Hooker County generates over thirty-three million dollars in goods produced and services provided, much of it from agriculture (primarily ranching).

Highlight an important program in your county in this space! Send an email to:

luke.bonkiewicz@nebraskacounties.org

Local Highlights

License Plate Number: 93

Time Zone: Mountain

Number of Veterans: 71

Zoned County: Yes

County Library: Hooker County Library

Number of County-Owned Bridges: 1

Election Data

General Election Turnout % (2022): 70.02%

Total Registered Voters (2020): 564

Number of Precincts (2020): 1

Number of Election Day Polling Places (2020): 1

Land Area per Polling Place (avg.) (2020): 721.16 sq. miles

Intergovernmental Data

Emergency Mgt. Planning, Exercise and Training (PET) Region: North Central/Sandhills

Natural Resource District: Upper Loup NRD

Sources: Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Office of the CIO, Nebraska Secretary of State, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (eCFR)