Logan County

General

Population:  716
Land area (sq. mi.):  570.70
Population per square mile:  1.3

Race and Age

Race  2020

White:  92.9%
African American:  0.0%
American Indian:  0.0%
Asian:  0.6%
Hispanic:  3.2%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander:  0.0%
Two or More Races:  3.4%

Age  2020

0-17:  22.4%
18-64:  54.0%
65+:  23.6%

Households

Total households:  286  2020
With one child:  40  2022
With 2+ children:  50  2022
With seniors (65+):  100  2022

Socioeconomics

Personal income per capita:  $52,787  2021
% of Population in Poverty:  10.7%  2022
# of Housing Units:  367  2020
2023 housing unit building permits:  3
Owner-occupied rate:  82.5%  2020
Median home price:  $154,430  Q1 2024

Technology

Access to broadband (100 Mbps via fiber or cable modem):  55.3%  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://logancounty.ne.gov/webpages/links/public_notices.html

High school graduate or higher:  95.1%  2020

School Districts:  Arnold Public Schools, Sandhills Public Schools, Stapleton Public Schools

Bachelor's degree or higher:  25.6%  2020

Community College Service Area:  Mid-Plains Community College

Logan County Economy

Annual Gross Domestic Product:  $33,990,000  2022

Nonfarm Small Business Receipts:  $12,240,992  2021

Nonfarm Wage Income:  $11,006,000  2021

Farm and Ranch Commodity Sales Receipts:  $33,477,000  2022

Farm and Ranch Operations (Non-Sales) Receipts:  $725,000  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 (bushels capacity): 

• Stapleton: Ag Valley (1,324,566)
• (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 Logan County

Cattle Producers:  76

Crop Producers:  42

• Dryland Land Cash Rent (avg.):  $49/acre/yr

Electricity Providers:  Custer PPD

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 Logan County residents in other counties or states, but it excludes wages earned in Logan 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 Logan County for their production in other counties or states, but the figures exclude receipts reported for production in Logan County by producers operating principally in other counties or states.

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

Total Irrigation/Livestock Wells:  595  2024

Agricultural Wells per Square Mile:  1.04  2024

Surface Water Diversions (Irrigation):  0  2024

Click for real time:

Groundwater level data near U.S. Hwy 83 & County Rd. 90 (2 mi. north of Stapleton)

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)

2022 Levies and Valuation

County levy rate:  $0.3013 per $100 of taxable valuation

County property taxes levied:  $1,152,787

Total local government property taxes levied:  $4,282,977

Total countywide taxable valuation:  $382,649,519

Click here for all levy rates in Logan 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: 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

Logan County History

Year Founded: 1885

Etymology: John Logan (U.S. army general)

     To have settled in Logan County in its early years was to make a brave stand against the wilderness with little more than basic supplies, resilience, ingenuity, and the unshakeable confidence in one’s knowledge and abilities. Winters brought blizzards, summers brought prairie fires, and the wind blew uncontested throughout the year. Though game was abundant in many places, water and timber were not, and the earliest domiciles were sod houses. The distance between homes and settlements was vast, and many people went weeks without encountering another soul. 

     Following its organization by the Legislature in 1885, Logan County immediately set about establishing its county seat. Many groups wished to capitalize on the scarce population and establish the county seat—and the commerce it would bring—in their area of the county. Jim Gandy, then living in Broken Bow, informed real estate speculators that he would move to and help fund the proposed settlement if they named the town after him. An agreement was struck, and the town of Gandy became Logan County’s first seat. True to his word, Mr. Gandy funded several business ventures and construction projects, including the first county courthouse. Despite its humble beginnings, Logan County prospered and gained a thousand residents within its first decade.

     But as always, the railroad had the final word about the stability and future of an early Nebraska community. In 1911, the Union Pacific Railroad expanded through Logan County and chose Stapleton, not Gandy, as its western terminus. Stapleton quickly began accumulating banks, businesses, and other commerce from Gandy, and in 1929, a special election moved the county seat from Gandy to Stapleton.

     Logan County’s legacy of resilience and patience endurance has been passed down through generations. The county was named after Civil War General John Logan (who led the movement to create Memorial Day), and many early settlers were Civil War veterans who farmed and ranched the area. Today, these same proud industries continue to sustain the county and its residents.

Logan County Excellence

Logan County Veterans Service Officer Richard Cook, who also serves as Logan County's Highway Superintendent and Weed Control Superintendent, has dedicated his time to assisting veterans throughout the county since 2008. Additionally, in recent years Richard has served as the Veterans Service Officer for Thomas County and McPherson County.

To help veterans obtain the benefits they deserve, Richard often travels to veterans' homes to help process their claims, as well as drives veterans to Kearney or North Platte to help them receive necessary exams.

Local Highlights

License Plate Number:  87

Time Zone:  Central

Number of Veterans:  45  2023

Zoned County:  Yes

County Library:  Logan County Library

Election Data

General Election Turnout:  80.32%  2024

Total Registered Voters:  554  2024

Number of Precincts:  1  2022

Number of Election Day Polling Places:  1  2022

Land Area per Polling Place (avg.):  570.70 sq. miles

Intergovernmental Data

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

Natural Resource Districts: 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. Election Assistance Commission, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (eCFR)