Douglas County, Nebraska

Not to be confused with Douglas, Nebraska.

Douglas County, Nebraska
County
The Douglas County Courthouse in Omaha
The Douglas County Courthouse in Omaha
Official seal of Douglas County, Nebraska
Seal
Map of Nebraska highlighting Douglas County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°17′50″N 96°09′15″W / 41.297091°N 96.154066°W / 41.297091; -96.154066
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedNovember 23, 1854
Named afterStephen A. Douglas
SeatOmaha
Largest cityOmaha
Area
 • Total
349.342 sq mi (904.79 km2)
 • Land326.540 sq mi (845.73 km2)
 • Water12.802 sq mi (33.16 km2)  3.66%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
584,526
 • Estimate 
(2024)
601,158 Increase
 • Density1,790.06/sq mi (691.146/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code402 and 531
Congressional district2nd
Websitedouglascounty-ne.gov
• Nebraska county number 28[1]
• Nebraska license plate prefix 01[2]

Douglas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 584,526,[3] and was estimated to be 601,158 in 2024,[4] making it the most populous county in Nebraska. The county seat and the largest city is Omaha.[5] the most populous city in Nebraska and the 41st-most populous city in the United States. It contains over 29.98% of the state's population.[6]

Douglas County is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Douglas County was represented by the prefix "1" (as it had the largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922). In 2002, the state discontinued the 1922 system in the three most populous counties: Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties.[7]

History

Douglas County was created on November 23, 1854[8] and named after Stephen A. Douglas (1813–1861), who was then serving as a U.S. senator from Illinois.[9][10]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 349.342 square miles (904.79 km2), of which 326.540 square miles (845.73 km2) is land and 12.802 square miles (33.16 km2) (3.66%) is water.[11] It is the third-smallest county in Nebraska by total area.[12] Douglas County is on the eastern border of Nebraska. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Iowa, across the Missouri River. The Elkhorn River runs southward through the west-central part of Douglas County, and it is bordered on east (Missouri River) and west (Platte River) by rivers.

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

  • Bluestem Prairie Preserve[13]
  • Two Rivers State Recreation Area[14]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18604,328—
187019,982361.7%
188037,64588.4%
1890158,008319.7%
1900140,590−11.0%
1910168,54619.9%
1920204,52421.3%
1930232,98213.9%
1940247,5626.3%
1950281,02013.5%
1960343,49022.2%
1970389,45513.4%
1980397,0381.9%
1990416,4444.9%
2000463,58511.3%
2010517,11011.5%
2020584,52613.0%
2024 (est.)601,158[15]2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790–1960[17] 1900–1990[18]
1990–2000[19] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Douglas County was $295,502.[20]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 243,978 estimated households in Douglas County with an average of 2.42 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $80,382. Approximately 12.1% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Douglas County has an estimated 67.0% employment rate, with 42.3% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 91.6% holding a high school diploma.[4] There were 257,743 housing units at an average density of 789.32 per square mile (304.8/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (82.0%), Spanish (10.8%), Indo-European (3.1%), Asian and Pacific Islander (2.2%), and Other (1.8%).

The median age in the county was 35.7 years.

Douglas County, Nebraska – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[21] Pop. 1990[22] Pop. 2000[23] Pop. 2010[24] Pop. 2020[25]
White alone (NH) 344,269
(86.71%)		 353,374
(84.86%)		 362,528
(78.20%)		 372,029
(71.94%)		 381,427
(65.25%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 39,526
(9.96%)		 45,104
(10.83%)		 52,821
(11.39%)		 59,176
(11.44%)		 63,706
(10.90%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1,945
(0.49%)		 2,279
(0.55%)		 2,411
(0.52%)		 2,532
(0.49%)		 2,653
(0.45%)
Asian alone (NH) 2,211
(0.56%)		 3,945
(0.95%)		 7,848
(1.69%)		 13,613
(2.63%)		 27,593
(4.72%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 213
(0.05%)		 314
(0.06%)		 410
(0.07%)
Other race alone (NH) 851
(0.21%)		 374
(0.09%)		 512
(0.11%)		 930
(0.18%)		 2,310
(0.40%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 6,324
(1.36%)		 10,712
(2.07%)		 25,607
(4.38%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8,236
(2.07%)		 11,368
(2.73%)		 30,928
(6.67%)		 57,804
(11.18%)		 80,820
(13.83%)
Total 397,038
(100.00%)		 416,444
(100.00%)		 463,585
(100.00%)		 517,110
(100.00%)		 584,526
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 601,158 people, 243,978 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 1,840.99 inhabitants per square mile (710.8/km2). There were 257,743 housing units at an average density of 789.32 per square mile (304.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 78.3% White (65.4% NH White), 11.9% African American, 1.5% Native American, 5.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 15.3% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 584,526 people, 229,416 households, and 140,829 families residing in the county.[26] The population density was 1,790.06 inhabitants per square mile (691.1/km2). There were 245,050 housing units at an average density of 750.44 per square mile (289.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 68.16% White, 11.07% African American, 0.99% Native American, 4.76% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 6.34% from some other races and 8.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 13.83% of the population.[27]

The median age was 34.9 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.7 males age 18 and over.[28][29]

97.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 2.4% lived in rural areas.[30]

There were 229,416 households in the county, of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 245,050 housing units, of which 6.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 59.8% were owner-occupied and 40.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.2%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 517,110 people, 202,411 households, and 127,399 families residing in the county.[31] The population density was 1,583.60 inhabitants per square mile (611.4/km2). There were 219,580 housing units at an average density of 672.44 per square mile (259.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.39% White, 11.62% African American, 0.72% Native American, 2.66% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.73% from some other races and 2.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 11.18% of the population. 30.0% were of German, 15.0% Irish, 8.0% English, and 4.9% Italian ancestry.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,878, and the median income for a family was $67,666. Males had a median income of $44,542 versus $35,801 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,092. About 9.4% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 463,585 people, 182,194 households, and 115,146 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,419.69 inhabitants per square mile (548.1/km2). There were 192,672 housing units at an average density of 590.04 per square mile (227.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.96% White, 11.50% African American, 0.61% Native American, 1.71% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.40% from some other races and 1.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.67% of the population. 26.3% were of German, 11.5% Irish and 6.2% English ancestry.

There were 182,194 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.50% were married couples living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.80% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.12.

The county population contained 26.60% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,209, and the median income for a family was $54,651. Males had a median income of $36,577 versus $27,265 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,879. About 6.70% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.00% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Douglas County is governed by a board of seven county commissioners, elected to staggered[32] four–year terms. County courthouse positions are also elected on a partisan basis. Most of the county's offices are located at the Douglas County Courthouse.

Douglas County Commission
District Commissioner
1 Roger Garcia
2 James Cavanaugh
3 Chris Rodgers (Vice-chair)[33]
4 P. J. Morgan
5 Brian Fahey
6 Mary Ann Borgeson (Chair)[33]
7 Mike Friend
Douglas County Officeholders
Office Officeholder
Assessor/Register of Deeds Walt Peffer[34]
County Attorney Donald Kleine[35]
County Clerk/Comptroller Dan Esch[36]
Clerk of the District Court Crystal Rhoades
County Engineer Todd Pfitzer[37]
County Sheriff Aaron Hanson
County Treasurer Tim Cavanaugh[38]
Public Defender Tom Riley

For much of the time after World War II, Douglas County was one of the more conservative urban counties in the United States. It supported the Republican candidate for president in all but one election from 1952 to 2004. However, it has become a far more competitive county in national elections compared to the rest of the state in the last ten years. Barack Obama won a majority of the county's votes in 2008, becoming the first Democrat to do so since 1964. He also narrowly carried the 2nd congressional district as well, garnering him one electoral vote statewide. It swung back to the Republican column in 2012 with Mitt Romney winning the county by an even closer majority. The county swung back to Democratic hands in 2016 with Hillary Clinton winning a plurality of its votes, but unlike Obama eight years prior she failed to carry the 2nd congressional district. In 2020, Joe Biden won the county by 11 points, a 56-year high for Democrats, and flipped the 2nd district back into the Democratic column.

As of January 2025, Douglas County is one of the only two counties in Nebraska (alongside Thurston) to have a plurality of registered Democrats.[39]

Political Party Number of registered voters (September 1, 2025)[40] Percent
Democratic 132,750 36.18%
Republican 130,507 35.57%
Independent 94,034 25.63%
Libertarian 5,536 1.51%
Legal Marijuana Now 4,101 1.12%
Total 366,928 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Douglas County, Nebraska[41]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1880 3,290 55.87% 2,407 40.87% 192 3.26%
1884 4,894 51.61% 4,516 47.62% 73 0.77%
1888 10,237 47.53% 10,810 50.19% 493 2.29%
1892 10,702 48.27% 2,904 13.10% 8,566 38.63%
1896 12,326 49.95% 11,755 47.64% 596 2.42%
1900 14,266 50.88% 13,241 47.23% 530 1.89%
1904 15,248 57.87% 6,831 25.93% 4,270 16.21%
1908 14,066 45.80% 15,583 50.74% 1,064 3.46%
1912 6,185 21.12% 12,908 44.08% 10,189 34.80%
1916 14,557 35.13% 24,796 59.84% 2,084 5.03%
1920 28,543 57.81% 18,439 37.34% 2,393 4.85%
1924 29,390 44.98% 18,672 28.58% 17,278 26.44%
1928 47,551 52.60% 42,267 46.75% 587 0.65%
1932 33,938 35.81% 59,347 62.62% 1,483 1.56%
1936 35,349 33.01% 70,245 65.60% 1,482 1.38%
1940 53,325 44.38% 66,840 55.62% 0 0.00%
1944 53,443 45.60% 63,762 54.40% 0 0.00%
1948 47,175 48.92% 49,258 51.08% 0 0.00%
1952 71,457 56.24% 55,591 43.76% 0 0.00%
1956 73,270 59.39% 50,110 40.61% 0 0.00%
1960 72,005 52.92% 64,060 47.08% 0 0.00%
1964 61,613 44.30% 77,480 55.70% 0 0.00%
1968 69,808 50.89% 51,617 37.63% 15,739 11.47%
1972 101,579 67.82% 48,201 32.18% 0 0.00%
1976 93,204 58.73% 61,877 38.99% 3,626 2.28%
1980 96,908 59.12% 51,668 31.52% 15,354 9.37%
1984 112,676 65.26% 58,979 34.16% 1,003 0.58%
1988 99,916 56.27% 76,541 43.11% 1,108 0.62%
1992 93,512 46.73% 67,097 33.53% 39,512 19.74%
1996 92,334 51.38% 70,708 39.34% 16,679 9.28%
2000 101,025 55.16% 73,347 40.05% 8,784 4.80%
2004 120,813 58.34% 83,330 40.24% 2,928 1.41%
2008 106,291 46.89% 116,810 51.53% 3,600 1.59%
2012 113,220 50.56% 106,456 47.54% 4,251 1.90%
2016 108,077 44.95% 113,798 47.33% 18,558 7.72%
2020 119,159 43.09% 150,350 54.37% 7,031 2.54%
2024 120,919 43.95% 148,733 54.06% 5,493 2.00%

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Education

School districts include:[42]

A state-operated school, Nebraska School for the Deaf, was formerly in the county.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  2. ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Douglas County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  6. ^ Based on the 2024 Estimate: 601,158 / 2,005,465 (NE pop.) = 29.98%
  7. ^ "History of Nebraska Passenger Vehicle License Plates". Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Archived from the original on December 27, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  8. ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  9. ^ About Douglas County: History. DC website.
  10. ^ Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). Nebraska Place-Names. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism. p. 55. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  11. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Douglas County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  13. ^ "Bluestem Prairie Preserve, Omaha NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  14. ^ "Two Rivers State Recreation Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  15. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  16. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  17. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  18. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  19. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  20. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  21. ^ "Douglas County, Nebraska — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  22. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Nebraska" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  23. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Douglas County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  24. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Douglas County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  25. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Douglas County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  26. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  27. ^ "How many people live in Douglas County, Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  28. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  29. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  30. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  31. ^ "Nebraska: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 272 of 385. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  32. ^ "About Douglas County". Douglas County, Nebraska. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  33. ^ a b "Board of County Commissioners". Douglas County, Nebraska. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  34. ^ "Unopposed for Douglas County assessor, Walt Peffer outlines plans to review valuations". Omaha World-Herald. May 18, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine switches to GOP after Democrats' critical resolution". Omaha World-Herald. October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  36. ^ "Home - Douglas County Clerk/Comptroller". Douglas County, Nebraska. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  37. ^ Pfitzer, Todd. "Douglas County Engineer". Douglas County Engineer’s Office. Douglas County, Nebraska. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  38. ^ Anderson, Julie (July 9, 2025). "Veteran of Treasurer's Office will fill out term". Omaha World-Herald. p. B1. Retrieved January 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "2020 Eligible Voter Statistics" (PDF). Secretary of State of Nebraska. December 1, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  40. ^ "Voter Registration Statistics" (PDF). nebraska.gov. January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  41. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  42. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Douglas County, NE (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 15, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2026. - Text list
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Clerk_of_Douglas_County,_Nebraska