Keya Paha County

General

Population:  769
Land area (sq. mi.):  773.08
Population per square mile:  1.0

Age and Race

Race  2020

White:  95.4%
African American:  0.0%
American Indian:  0.1%
Asian:  0.0%
Hispanic:  2.6%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander:  0.0%
Two or More Races:  1.8%

Age  2020

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

Households

Total households:  353  2020
With one child:  20  2022
With 2+ children:  40  2022
With seniors (65+):  120  2022

Socioeconomics

Personal income per capita:  $58,537  2021
% of Population in Poverty:  20.9%  2022
# of Housing Units:  496  2020
2023 housing unit building permits:  0  
Owner-occupied rate:  81.3%  2020
Median home price:  $117,680  Q1 2024

Technology

Access to broadband (100 Mbps via fiber or cable modem):  96.3%  2021

Sources: National Association of Realtors, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Library Commission, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau (building permits), U.S. Census Bureau (demographics), U.S. Census Bureau (municipalities)

Employment, Schools, and Child Care

Unemployment rate:  2.0%  Sept. 2024

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

High school graduate or higher:  95.7%  2020

School District:  Keya Paha County Public Schools

Bachelor's degree or higher:  25.5%  2020

Community College Service Area:  Northeast Community College

Keya Paha County Economy

Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP):  $44,334,000  2022

Nonfarm Small Business Receipts:  $9,572,569  2021

Nonfarm Wage Income:  $9,971,000  2021

Farm and Ranch Commodity Sales Receipts:  $76,378,000  2022

Farm and Ranch Operations (Non-Sales) Receipts:  $1,852,000  2022

• For components of nonfarm small business receipts, nonfarm wage income, and farm & ranch commodity sales and operations receipts, see "Notes" below.

Grain Elevators by Location (bushel capacity):

• Springview: CVA (35,000)
• (1 bushel = 56 lbs. corn/sorghum, 60 lbs. soybeans/wheat; % max. moisture = 18% beans, 15.5% corn, 14% sorghum/soybeans, 13.5% wheat)

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

Cattle Producers:  171

Crop Producers:  57

• Irrigated Land Cash Rent (avg.):  $197/acre  2024

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

Wind Turbines Operating (MW):  2 turbines (3,000 MW)

Notes

• Nonfarm small business receipts are reported by partnerships and sole proprietorships. They do not include receipts reported by cooperative associations.
• Nonfarm wage income is reported based upon the wage earner's residential address; therefore, it also includes wages earned by Keya Paha County residents in other counties or states, but it excludes wages earned in Keya Paha County by residents of other counties or states.
• Nonfarm wage income excludes wages earned by anyone claimed as a dependent.
• Farm and ranch commodity sales receipts and operations receipts are reported based upon the farm or ranch owner's principal county of operations; therefore, those figures also include receipts reported by producers operating principally in Keya Paha County for their production in other counties or states, but the figures exclude receipts reported for production in Keya Paha County by producers operating principally in other counties or states.

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

Total Irrigation/Livestock Wells:  713  2024

Agricultural Wells per Square Mile:  0.92  2024

Surface Water Diversions (Irrigation):  99  2024

Click for real time:

Streamflow data on the Niobrara River at NE Hwy 137 bridge (21 mi. east of Springfield)

Sources: National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA), Nebraska Cooperative Council, Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Office of the CIO, Nebraska Power Review Board, Nebraska Public Service Commission, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of the Treasury (IRS), Warehouse and Commodity Management Division (USDA)

2023 Levies and Valuation

County levy rate:  $0.1744 per $100 of taxable valuation

County property taxes levied:  $986,851

Total local government property taxes levied:  $4,086,535

Total countywide taxable valuation:  $565,927,689

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-Elect: Tanya Storer

State Senator: Tom Brewer (District 43)

Standing Committees (click for scheduled committee hearings):

• Government, Military and Veterans Affairs (chairperson)
• Agriculture

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"

     Boasting one of Nebraska’s most unique county names, Keya Paha County was once part of a larger county that also encompassed Brown and Rock County. The area was blessed with abundant buffalo and antelope, which attracted many Native American tribes (including the Pawnee and Ponca) who inhabited the area for hundreds of years before European settlers arrived. The territory features small, rounded hills that could be perceived as giant turtle shells, and historians believe the county’s name is derived from “Ké-ya Pa-há,” a Native American phrase meaning “turtle hill.”

     In 1884, residents passed a petition to separate from Brown County and form a new county from the land north of the Niobrara River (in 1888, Rock County would separate from Brown County). While establishing Keya Paha County was simple, establishing a county seat proved more complicated. Nearly every community in the county fought for the honor of county seat, and even a committee tasked with the matter could not make a decision. An election would decide the contentious issue. In January of 1885, residents selected Springview and Burton as the two finalists from fifteen candidates. Two months later, the more centrally located Springview won the county seat by a slim margin of victory. Springview, named for a spring of water that once flowed through the northwest part of town, immediately began selling lots to build the county courthouse. In 1886, the courthouse was built and lasted until 1915, when the current courthouse was constructed.

     Keya Paha County remains a tightly knit ranching community, and many Keya Paha residents can trace their ancestry back to some of the first families who founded the county. Since 1900, the county has hosted a summer barn dance that draws attendees from around Nebraska and other states. The historic Norden Dance Hall, built in 1929, is one of the county’s main activity hubs.

Keya Paha County Excellence

Local Highlights

License Plate Number:  82

Time Zone:  Central

Number of Veterans:  57  2023

Zoned County:  Yes

County Library:  Keya Paha County Library

Number of County-Owned Bridges:  15

Election Data

General Election Turnout:  86.39%  2024

Total Registered Voters:  632  2024

Number of Precincts:  3  2022

Number of Election Day Polling Places:  1  2022

Land Area per Polling Place:  773.92 sq. miles

Intergovernmental Data

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

Natural Resource Districts: Lower Niobrara NRD, Middle Niobrara NRD

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. Election Assistance Commission, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (eCFR)