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Omaha, Nebr.

Mayor: Michael Fahey (to June 2009)

2000 census population (rank): 390,007 (44); % change: 16.1; Male: 190,032 (48.7%); Female: 199,975 (51.3%); White: 305,745 (78.4%); Black: 51,917 (13.3%); American Indian and Alaska Native: 2,616 (0.7%); Asian: 6,773 (1.7%); Other race: 15,250 (3.9%); Two or more races: 7,478 (1.9%); Hispanic/Latino: 29,397 (7.5%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 74.4%; 65 and over: 11.8%; Median age: 33.5.

2005 population estimate (rank): 414,521 (43)

See additional census data

Land area: 116 sq mi. (300 sq km);

Alt.: Highest, 1,270 ft.

Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 21.1° F; July, 76.9° F

Churches: Protestant, 192; Roman Catholic, 44; Jewish, 4;

City-owned parks: 200+ (over 8,000 ac.);

Radio stations: AM, 7; FM, 13;

Television stations: 4

Civilian Labor Force (MSA) April 2006: 446,0001;

Unemployed: 16,4001,

Percent: 3.71;

Per capita personal income (MSA) 2004: $36,1241

Chamber of Commerce: Omaha Chamber of Commerce, 1301 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68102

1. Omaha–Council Bluffs, Nebr.–Iowa.

Omaha, the largest city in Nebraska and the seat of Douglas County, is located in the eastern part of the state on the west bank of the Missouri River, opposite Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The Lewis and Clark expedition visited the area in 1804, and the U.S. Army built Ft. Atkinson nearby in 1819. Pierre Cabanne established a fur-trading post at the site in 1825. The first Mormon migrants wintered there in 1846–1847 on their way to Utah. The city grew rapidly as the most northerly supply point for overland wagons to the Far West.

The city was officially founded in 1854 after the Nebraska Territory was opened for settlement. It was named for the Omaha Indians living nearby (whose tribal name means “those who go upstream or against the current”). Omaha was incorporated as a city in 1857 and was the capital of the Nebraska Territory from 1855 to 1867. The city continued to thrive as a point of entry and a major transportation center when the Union Pacific transcontinental railroad arrived in 1869.

Omaha is a major market for grain and livestock, food processing, telecommunications, and insurance. Other important industries include electrical equipment and finance as well as printing and publishing. It continues to be a major railroad hub.

See also Encyclopedia: Omaha .

Selected famous natives and residents:

  • Fred Astaire dancer and actor;
  • Max Baer boxer;
  • Robert Boozer basketball player;
  • Marlon Brando actor;
  • Montgomery Clift actor;
  • Gerald Ford former president;
  • Bob Gibson baseball player;
  • Swoosie Kurtz actress;
  • Melvin Laird former secretary of defense;
  • Dorothy McGuire actress;
  • Nick Nolte actor;
  • Gale Sayers football player;
  • Malcolm X political activist;
  • Paul Williams singer and composer.

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

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