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Nov 20, 2009
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Nebraska

Nebraska flag

Capital: Lincoln

State abbreviation/Postal code: Nebr./NE

Governor: David Heineman, R (to Jan. 2011)1

Lieut. Governor: Rick Sheehy, R (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Mike Johanns, R (to Jan. 2015); Ben Nelson, D (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 3

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: John Gale, R (to Jan. 2011)

Atty. General: Jon Bruning, R (to Jan. 2011)

Treasurer: Shane Osborn, R (to Jan. 2011)

Organized as territory: May 30, 1854

Entered Union (rank): March 1, 1867 (37)

Present constitution adopted: Oct. 12, 1875 (extensively amended 1919–20)

Motto: Equality before the law

State symbols:

flowergoldenrod (1895)
fishchannel catfish (1997)
American folk dancesquare dance (1997)
ballad“A Place Like Nebraska” (1997)
treecottonwood (1972)
birdWestern meadowlark (1929)
insecthoneybee (1975)
gemstoneblue agate (1967)
rockprairie agate (1967)
fossilmammoth (1967)
song“Beautiful Nebraska” (1967)
soiltypic argiustolls, holdreges series (1979)
mammalwhitetail deer (1981)
grasslittle bluestem (1969)
beveragemilk (1998)

Nicknames: Cornhusker State (1945); Beef State

Origin of name: From an Oto Indian word meaning “flat water”

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Omaha, 414,521; Lincoln, 239,213; Bellevue, 47,334; Grand Island, 44,546; Kearney, 28,958; Hastings, 25,437; Fremont, 25,314; North Platte, 24,324; Norfolk, 23,946; Columbus, 20,909

Land area: 76,872 sq mi. (199,098 sq km)

Geographic center: In Custer Co., 10 mi. NW of Broken Bow

Number of counties: 93

Largest county by population and area: Douglas, 486,929 (2005); Cherry, 5,961 sq mi.

State parks: 87

Residents: Nebraskan

2005 resident population est.: 1,758,787

2000 resident census population (rank): 1,711,263 (38). Male: 843,351 (49.3%); Female: 867,912 (50.7%). White: 1,533,261 (89.6%); Black: 68,541 (4.0%); American Indian: 14,896 (0.9%); Asian: 21,931 (1.3%); Other race: 47,845 (2.8%); Two or more races: 23,953 (1.4%); Hispanic/Latino: 94,425 (5.5%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 73.7; 65 and over: 13.6; median age: 35.3.

See additional census data

Area codes

Tourism office

1. Mike Johanns left in Jan. 2005 to become Secretary of Agriculture. Lieutenant governor David Heineman became governor and appointed former Hastings mayor Rick Sheehy as the new lieutenant governor.
Map of Nebraska
Map of Nebraska

French fur traders first visited Nebraska in the late 1600s. Part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, eastern Nebraska was explored by Lewis and Clark in 1804–1806. A few years later, Robert Stuart pioneered the Oregon Trail across Nebraska in 1812–1813, and the first permanent white settlement was established at Bellevue in 1823.

Western Nebraska was acquired by treaty following the Mexican War in 1848. The Union Pacific began its transcontinental railroad at Omaha in 1865. In 1937, Nebraska became the only state in the Union to have a unicameral (one-house) legislature. Members are elected to it without party designation.

Nebraska is a leading grain-producer with bumper crops of sorghum, corn, and wheat. More varieties of grass, valuable for forage, grow in this state than in any other in the nation. The state's sizable cattle and hog industries make Dakota City and Lexington among the nation's largest meat-packing centers.

Manufacturing has become diversified: Firms making electronic components, auto accessories, pharmaceuticals, and mobile homes have joined such older industries as clothing, farm machinery, chemicals, and transportation equipment. Oil was discovered in 1939 and natural gas in 1949.

Among the principal attractions are Agate Fossil Beds, Homestead, and Scotts Bluff National Monuments; Chimney Rock National Historic Site; a recreated pioneer village at Minden; SAC Museum near Ashland; the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer Grand Island; Boys Town; the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and the Lied Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln; the State Capitol in Lincoln; the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha; the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha; Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney; Museum of Nebraska History in Lincoln; and the University of Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln.

See more on Nebraska:
Encyclopedia: Nebraska
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
Monthly Temperature Extremes

Accredited Colleges and Universities

All U.S. States: Geography & Climate
Printable Outline Maps
Record Highest Temperatures
Record Lowest Temperatures
Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations
Land and Water Area

All U.S. States: Population & Economy
Historical Population Statistics, 1790–Present
Per Capita Personal Income
Minimum Wage Rates
State Taxes
Federal Government Expenditure
Percent of People in Poverty
Births and Birth Rates
Homeownership
Percentage of Uninsured by State

All U.S. States: Society & Culture:
Most Livable States
Healthiest States
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Crime Index
Residency Requirements for Voting
Compulsory School Attendance Laws
Driving Laws
National Public Radio Stations

Selected famous natives and residents:

  • Bess Streeter Aldrich author;
  • James Coburn actor;
  • Mignon Eberhart author;
  • Ruth Etting singer and actress;
  • Francis La Flesche ethnologist;
  • John G. Neihardt epic poet;
  • Nathan Roscoe Pound educator and botanist;
  • Mari Sandoz author;
  • Standing Bear Indian rights advocate;
  • Susette La Flesche Tibbles Omaha Indian activist;
  • Julie Wilson singer and actress;

Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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