According to Countryaah, Boone County is located in the central region of Nebraska, bordered by Nance and Merrick Counties to the north, Platte and Colfax Counties to the east, Stanton County to the south, and Madison County to the west. As of 2019, Boone County has an estimated population of 5,742 people spread over an area of 563 square miles. The average population density is 10.2 people per square mile.
The largest city in Boone County is Albion with a population of about 1,500 people as of 2019. This city serves as the county seat and commercial hub for the region with restaurants, stores and other amenities including a public library and post office. Other notable cities in Boone County include St. Edward (population 500), Cedar Rapids (population 400), Belgrade (population 200), Petersburg (population 150), Primrose (population 100) and Elgin (population 50).
In addition to these small cities, there are several unincorporated communities located throughout Boone County including Linwood on the northern border; Cedar Bluffs along Cedar Creek; Crab Orchard near Primrose; Loma just outside Petersburg; Milligan on Milligan Creek; Verdel near Elgin; Leigh between St Edward and Cedar Rapids; Genoa at Genoa Lake State Park; and Beaver Crossing along Beaver Creek in western Boone County. These smaller communities provide essential services for locals while offering visitors an opportunity to experience rural life first-hand in central Nebraska.
Boone County has a population that is largely concentrated in its small cities and towns but also includes some rural residents who live outside these towns or on agricultural land throughout the county. The majority of residents are Caucasian with smaller populations from Native American tribes such as Omaha living on reservations within the county boundaries. There is also a small Asian community centered around St Edward which makes up about 1% of the total population in Boone County.
History of Boone County, Nebraska
Boone County, Nebraska has a long and interesting history. The area was originally inhabited by the Omaha and Pawnee Native American tribes, who lived in the area for centuries before white settlers arrived. The county was officially established in 1872, when it was carved out of Nance and Merrick counties. It is named after Daniel Boone, an American pioneer and frontiersman who explored the wilderness of Kentucky and Virginia during the late 1700s.
In 1873, Albion became the first settlement in Boone County and was soon followed by St Edward, Cedar Rapids, Belgrade, Petersburg, Primrose, Elgin and other small cities. These towns developed quickly due to their close proximity to railroads that were being built at the time. This allowed farmers to easily transport their goods across Nebraska as well as nationally.
The early settlers of Boone County were largely of German or Scandinavian descent who were attracted to its fertile soil for farming. By 1890 most of the county had been claimed by homesteaders who settled on small farms across the region. Livestock raising also played an important role in the development of Boone County with cattle ranching becoming especially popular during this time period.
As agriculture flourished in Boone County so did industry with sawmills being built throughout the area to process lumber from nearby forests as well as flour mills for processing grains grown on local farms into flour for baking breads and pastries. In addition to these industries, several brickyards opened up throughout Boone County which supplied materials for building homes and businesses across Nebraska and beyond.
Throughout its history, Boone County has remained largely rural with its population concentrated mainly in its small cities such as Albion which serves as its county seat. However, over time, there has been some growth with more people moving into the area from larger cities such as Omaha or Lincoln looking for a quieter lifestyle while still having access to amenities such as restaurants or stores within easy reach from their homes.
Today, Boone County is still largely agricultural but also has some light industry including manufacturing plants located near St Edward as well as several wind farms located throughout western parts of the county providing renewable energy sources for Nebraska residents while also creating jobs within Boone County itself.
Major cities and towns in Boone County, Nebraska
Boone County, Nebraska is home to a number of small cities and towns that have played an important role in the region’s economic and social development. The county seat is Albion, which was first established in 1871 and was soon followed by St Edward, Cedar Rapids, Belgrade, Petersburg, Primrose, Elgin and other small cities.
Albion is the largest city in Boone County with a population of approximately 3,500 people. It is home to several businesses including restaurants, grocery stores and a movie theater. In addition to its commercial offerings, Albion also houses the Boone County Courthouse as well as a museum dedicated to the history of the area.
St Edward is another small city located in Boone County with a population of just over 1,000 people. It has several restaurants as well as a few stores and businesses providing services to local residents. St Edward also has its own school district which serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Cedar Rapids is located just south of Albion with a population of around 500 people. This small city has several restaurants and stores that serve local residents as well as some tourist attractions such as the Cedar Rapids Museum which houses artifacts from early settlers in Boone County.
Belgrade is another small town located in Boone County with a population of around 300 people. It has several restaurants and stores that provide services to locals as well as some tourist attractions such as the historic Belgrade Church which was built in 1887.
Petersburg is located just north of Albion with a population of around 200 people. This small town has several businesses providing services to local residents including restaurants, grocery stores and other shops. In addition to its commercial offerings Petersburg also has several historic buildings such as the Petersen House which was built in 1875 and now serves as an antique store for visitors to explore on their trip into town.
Primrose is another small town located in Boone County with a population of around 150 people. This quaint little town offers visitors access to unique shops selling antiques or handmade items made by local artisans while also having some restaurants for travelers looking for something delicious after their day out exploring Primrose’s offerings.
Elgin is yet another small town located in Boone County with a population of about 100 people making it one of the smallest towns within the county limits. While Elgin does not have any large tourist attractions it does offer visitors access to unique shops selling antiques or handmade items made by local artisans while also having some restaurants for travelers looking for something delicious after their day out exploring Elgin’s offerings.
Boone County offers visitors plenty of opportunities for exploration whether they are looking for outdoor activities such as fishing or hunting or simply want to take in some history at one of its many museums or churches. With its numerous cities and towns offering something unique, there is truly something here for everyone no matter what their interests may be.
Population in Boone County, Nebraska
According to existingcountries.com, Boone County, Nebraska is home to a diverse population of over 5,000 people. Located in the heart of the state, Boone County is bordered by Madison and Platte Counties to the north and Saunders County to the east. The county seat is Albion, which serves as a hub for many of the county’s small towns and villages.
The population in Boone County is largely rural with 65% of residents living in rural areas. The population breaks down into three main ethnic groups: White (84%), African American (6%), and Hispanic (7%). Amongst these groups, there are also smaller numbers of other ethnicities such as Native Americans, Asians, and Islanders. The median age for residents of Boone County is 42 years old with 18% under the age of 18 and 14% over 65 years old.
The majority of Boone County residents are employed in farming or related industries such as animal husbandry and crop production. Other major industries include manufacturing, retail trade, construction, health care services, education services and transportation services. The unemployment rate for Boone County was 6% as of 2019 compared to 3% nationally.
Boone County has several small towns that offer visitors plenty of opportunities for exploration whether they are looking for outdoor activities such as fishing or hunting or simply want to take in some history at one of its many museums or churches. These towns include Albion, Belgrade, Petersburg, Primrose and Elgin amongst others with populations ranging from 100-300 people each. Boone County offers visitors a unique experience full of history and outdoor activities that cannot be experienced anywhere else in Nebraska.