{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Cedar County | state = Nebraska | founded = 1857 | seat wl = Hartington | largest city = Hartington | area_total_sq_mi = 746 | area_land_sq_mi = 740 | area_water_sq_mi = 5.5 | area percentage = 0.7% | census yr = 2020 | pop = 8380 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 8373 {{loss}} | density_sq_mi = auto | web = www.co.cedar.ne.us | ex image = Cedar County, Nebraska courthouse from SW 1.JPG | ex image cap = Cedar County Courthouse in Hartington | district = 3rd | time zone = Central }} '''Cedar County''' is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 8,380.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cedar County, Nebraska|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Cedar_County,_Nebraska?g=050XX00US31027|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 16, 2023}}</ref> The county seat is Hartington.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> The county was formed in 1857, and was named for the Cedar tree groves in the area.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=englishunsllc|title=Nebraska Place-Names|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Lilian Linder|publisher=University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism|location=Lincoln|date=1925|page=33|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kancoll.org/books/andreas_ne/cedar/cedar-p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030508232705/http://www.kancoll.org/books/andreas_ne/cedar/cedar-p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2003|title=Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska|last=Andreas|first=A. T.|date=1882|website=The Kansas Collection|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/cedar.html|title=Cedar County|publisher=Nebraska Association of County Officials|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> In the Nebraska license plate system, Cedar County is represented by the prefix 13 (it had the 13th-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).
==Geography== [[File:Lewis & Clark Lake and Dam NE.jpg|thumb|right|Gavins Point Dam, impounding Lewis and Clark Lake on the Missouri River in the northwestern part of Cedar County]] Cedar County is on the northern edge of Nebraska. Its north boundary abuts the south boundary line of the state of South Dakota, across the Missouri River. According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of {{convert|746|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|740|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|5.5|sqmi}} (0.7%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024152/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2013|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 6, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>
===Major highways=== {{div col}} * 20px U.S. Highway 20 * 20px U.S. Highway 81 * 20px Nebraska Highway 12 * 20px Nebraska Highway 15 * 20px Nebraska Highway 57 * 20px Nebraska Highway 59 * 20px Nebraska Highway 84 * 20px Nebraska Highway 121 {{div col end}}
===Adjacent counties=== {{div col}} * Clay County, South Dakota – northeast * Dixon County – east * Wayne County – southeast * Pierce County – southwest * Knox County – west * Yankton County, South Dakota – northwest {{div col end}}
===Protected areas=== {{div col}} * Audubon Bend Wildlife Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/42%C2%B046'25.2%22N+97%C2%B009'41.3%22W/@42.773668,-97.1630142,411m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x878f8d8dbff0f583:0xca143b7020528fa5!2sCedar+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d42.5610324!4d-97.179026!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d42.7736683!4d-97.1614666 NE Google Maps (accessed 10 February 2019)]</ref> * Calumet Bluff * Chalkrock State Wildlife Management Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cedar+County,+NE/@42.7155429,-97.3470663,11.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x878f8d8dbff0f583:0xca143b7020528fa5!8m2!3d42.5610324!4d-97.179026 NE Google Maps (accessed 17 January 2019)]</ref> * Cottonwood Recreation Area * Missouri National Recreational River (part) ** Bow Creek Recreation Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/42%C2%B046'39.2%22N+97%C2%B008'52.8%22W/@42.777559,-97.1495505,412m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d42.7775589!4d-97.1479989 NE Google Maps(accessed 10 February 2019)]</ref> ** Meridian Bridge * Nebraska Tailwaters Recreation Area * Tatanka State Wildlife Management Area (part)<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cedar+County,+NE/@42.8079145,-97.4518982,13.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x878f8d8dbff0f583:0xca143b7020528fa5!8m2!3d42.5610324!4d-97.179026 NE Google Maps (accessed 17 January 2019)]</ref> * Training Dike Recreation Area * Wiseman State Wildlife Management Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cedar+County,+NE/@42.7527763,-97.2103938,12.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x878f8d8dbff0f583:0xca143b7020528fa5!8m2!3d42.5610324!4d-97.179026 NE Google Maps (accessed 17 January 2019)]</ref> {{div col end}}
===Lakes=== * Chalkrock Lake * Lewis and Clark Lake (part)
==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1860 = 246 | 1870 = 1032 | 1880 = 2899 | 1890 = 7028 | 1900 = 12467 | 1910 = 15191 | 1920 = 16225 | 1930 = 16427 | 1940 = 15126 | 1950 = 13843 | 1960 = 13368 | 1970 = 12192 | 1980 = 11375 | 1990 = 10131 | 2000 = 9615 | 2010 = 8852 | 2020 = 8380 |estyear=2025 |estimate=8373 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref> {{decrease}} | align-fn = center | footnote = US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref><br>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ne190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref><br>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cedar County, Nebraska |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/cedarcountynebraska/PST045222}}</ref> 2020<ref>{{cite web|title=Cedar County, Nebraska|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Cedar_County,_Nebraska?g=050XX00US31027|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 16, 2023}}</ref> | align = right }}
===2020 census===
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,380. The median age was 43.2 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.3 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A027&in=state%3A31|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 22, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A027&in=state%3A31|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 22, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
The racial makeup of the county was 96.2% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.2% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A027&in=state%3A31|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 22, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 3,380 households in the county, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 18.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 3,900 housing units, of which 13.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.6% were owner-occupied and 19.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.8%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
===2000 census===
As of the 2000 United States census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 9,615 people, 3,623 households, and 2,565 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 4,200 housing units at an average density of {{convert|6|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 99.07% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 69.8% were of German and 5.1% American ancestry.
There were 3,623 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.60% were married couples living together, 4.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.20.
The county population contained 29.40% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 20.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,435, and the median income for a family was $39,422. Males had a median income of $26,707 versus $18,370 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,514. About 6.30% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.70% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.
==Communities== ===Cities=== * Hartington (county seat) * Laurel * Randolph
===Villages=== {{div col}} * Belden * Coleridge * Fordyce * Magnet * Obert * St. Helena * Wynot {{div col end}}
===Census-designated places=== * Aten * Bow Valley
===Unincorporated communities=== {{div col}} * Constance * Menominee * St. James * South Yankton {{div col end}}
==Politics== Cedar County voters are strongly Republican. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024). {{PresHead|place=Cedar County, Nebraska|whig=no|source1=<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Election Results]</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,441|1,565|37|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,797|1,023|207|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,627|1,732|44|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|716|1,511|1,067|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,727|1,715|49|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,906|1,279|58|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,441|1,747|1,927|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1928|Democratic|3,206|3,241|20|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,696|4,981|55|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,394|3,781|618|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|4,397|2,619|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|3,616|1,839|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,616|2,578|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,753|1,417|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,809|2,078|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,060|2,939|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,299|3,104|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,853|1,444|340|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,995|1,807|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,415|2,225|120|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,259|1,265|334|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,298|1,201|37|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,462|1,759|17|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,981|1,007|1,530|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,171|1,218|770|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,989|1,062|218|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,387|1,083|66|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,912|1,190|72|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|3,278|958|98|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,532|571|317|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,174|725|116|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,141|702|95|Nebraska}} {{PresFoot}}
==See also== {{commons category|Cedar County, Nebraska}} * National Register of Historic Places listings in Cedar County, Nebraska
==External links== * [http://www.co.cedar.ne.us/ Cedar County, Nebraska - Official Site]
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
{{Geographic Location |Centre = Cedar County, Nebraska |Northeast = Clay County, South Dakota |East = Dixon County |Southeast = Wayne County |Southwest = Pierce County |West = Knox County |Northwest = Yankton County, South Dakota }}
{{Cedar County, Nebraska}} {{Nebraska}} {{Authority control}} {{coord|42.60|-97.25|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}
Category:Cedar County, Nebraska Category:Nebraska counties on the Missouri River Category:1857 establishments in Nebraska Territory Category:Populated places established in 1857