Keya Paha County

General

Population: 787
Land area (sq. mi.): 773.08
Population per square mile: 1.0

Race

White: 97.0%
African American: 0.0%
American Indian: 1.4%
Asian: 0.4%
Hispanic: 0.8%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 0.0%

Age

0-17: 18.3%
18-64: 49.8%
65+: 31.9%

Socioeconomics

Personal income per capita: $62,869
% of Population in Poverty: 17.3%
# of Housing Units: 496
Owner-occupied rate: 73.6%
Median home price: $76,770

Technology

Access to broadband (100 Mbps via fiber or cable modem): 96.3%

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: 1.9% (as of September 2022)

County Employment Website: https://co.keya-paha.ne.us/webpages/links/public_notices.html

High school graduate or higher: 95.7%

Bachelor's degree or higher: 25.5%

School Districts: Keya Paha County Public Schools

Keya Paha County Economy

Annual Gross Domestic Product (2020): $40,343,000

Ag. Producers (Cattle): 171

Ag. Producers (Crop): 57

Grain Co-ops and Purchasers: Central Valley Ag

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

Electricity Providers: Cherry-Todd Electric Coop., KBR Rural PPD

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: $0.1992 per $100 of taxable valuation

County property taxes levied: $970,111

Total local government property taxes levied: $3,887,641

Total countywide taxable valuation: $486,965,612

Click here for all levy rates in Keya Paha 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)

Local tax reductions, exemptions, and credits

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-902(5)(a) (Deed "stamp tax" exemption): "The [stamp tax] shall not apply to: ... (5)(a) Deeds between spouses, between ex-spouses for the purpose of conveying any rights to property acquired or held during the marriage, or between parent and child, without actual consideration therefor."

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: Tom Brewer (District 43)
Committees: Agriculture, General Affairs, Government, Military and Veterans Affairs, State-Tribal Relations

Map and statistics for Legislative District 43

Map of all districts in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature

Keya Paha County History

Number of Registered Historic Places: 2

Year Authorized: 1884

Year Organized: 1884

Etymology: Dakota for "turtle hill"

One of the most unique names among Nebraska's 93 counties belongs to Keya Paha County in the north central area of the state. It is traced to the Dakota Sioux Indian tribe, which once hunted on the land north of the Niobrara River.

According to historians, the county's name is derived from the Dakota words Ké-ya Pa-há Wa-kpá, which translated means turtle hill river. It is assumed that this was how the Dakotas referred to the area, because numerous small, rounded hills make up the terrain.

Keya Paha County was once part of a much larger county known as Brown. This area included what today are Brown, Rock and Keya Paha Counties. In 1884 it became apparent that the existing Brown County was too large and a petition was circulated to designate the area north of the Niobrara River as a separate county. When the question was put before the voters on Nov. 4, it carried by a wide margin.

Locating the county seat proved to be more difficult than creating the county. Nearly every settlement within the new county sought this important distinction. A committee was appointed to make a selection. But failing to accomplish this, the issue was put to a vote when the county's first election was held in January 1885. Fifteen different settlements were listed on the ballot. The field was pared to two and the newly-elected county officers ordered another election for March 24.

When election day arrived, voters were asked to choose either Burton, located in the northeast part of the county, or Springview, which was more centrally located. When the votes were counted, Springview won by a narrow 494 to 405 margin.

Springview included 160 acres of choice land and a natural spring, for which the settlement had been named. Lots in the county seat were sold for $20 each. Building activity began almost immediately after the election. Until enough lots were sold to accumulate the necessary funds to build a courthouse, county offices were housed in a private residence.

Keya Paha County Excellence

License Plate Number: 82

Time Zone: Central

Zoned County: Yes

Number of Veterans: 37

Voter Turnout (2022): 67.66%

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

Number of County-Owned Bridges: 15

County Library: Keya Paha County Library

State Lands (acres): Cub Creek Recreation Area (304), Holt Creek WMA (159.30), Thomas Creek WMA (1,154.50)

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)