North Platte, Nebraska
North Platte is a city in Lincoln County in southwestern Nebraska on I-80 where the South Platte River and the North Platte River join to form the Platte River. The population was 23,878 at the 2000 census and was 24,324 by the 2005 estimate. It is the county seat of Lincoln CountyTemplate:GR.
North Platte is a railroad town; Union Pacific Railroad's large Bailey Yard is located within the city. Today, North Platte is served only by freight trains, but during World War II the city was famous for the North Platte Canteen. Tens of thousands of volunteers from North Platte and surrounding towns met the troop trains passing through North Platte, offering coffee, sandwiches and hospitality.
Geography
North Platte is located at Coordinates: Unknown argument format
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.4 km² (10.6 mi²). 27.1 km² (10.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.04%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 23,878 people, 9,944 households, and 6,224 families residing in the city. The population density was 880.5/km² (2,281.5/mi²). There were 10,718 housing units at an average density of 395.2/km² (1,024.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.47% White, 0.71% African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.30% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.68% of the population.
There were 9,944 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,181, and the median income for a family was $42,753. Males had a median income of $36,445 versus $20,157 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,306. About 7.8% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Points of Interest
North Platte is home to the world's largest railyard, Bailey Yard.
Lincoln County Historical Museum contains the display detailing the history of the North Platte World War II Canteen, which greeted 6.5 million service personnel from Christmas Day 1941 through April 1 1946. It also contains a Prairie Village with local landmark homes and other buildings including a Pony Express Station and pioneer church among many others.
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park is located near North Platte, a Nebraska living history park about Buffalo Bill Cody. The park includes his actual house known as Scout's Rest Ranch. The park is two miles west of U.S. Highway 83 along U.S. Highway 30.
Trivia
- Comedian Jackie Kashian talks at length about how she hates North Platte in her act, as she has toured there before. She says she believes that Osama bin Laden is hiding there and the town should be blown up just in case. If it turns out she's wrong, she says "What have we lost?" Many residents from North Platte agree
- World renouned hoaxer Vince Reed is from North Platte. He is best known for fooling video game experts with his special make-shift screens of classic video games; Especially Sega games.
External links
- City of North Platte
- North Platte Area Chamber of Commerce
- North Platte Lincoln County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Further reading
- Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen, Bob Greene, Morrow/Avon, 2002, hardcover, 256 pages, ISBN 0-06-008196-1
- Learn more about North Platte, Ne. - North Platte's Magazine - North Platte Traveler
