{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Chase County | state = Nebraska | founded = February 27, 1873 (authorized)<br>1886 (organized) | seat wl = Imperial | largest city = Imperial | area_total_sq_mi = 897 | area_land_sq_mi = 894 | area_water_sq_mi = 3.1 | area percentage = 0.5% | census yr = 2020 | pop = 3893 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 3718 {{decrease}} | density_sq_mi = auto | web = https://chasecounty.nebraska.gov/ | ex image = Chase County, Nebraska courthouse from SE 2.JPG | ex image cap = Chase County Courthouse in Imperial | district = 3rd | time zone = Mountain | named for = Champion S. Chase }}
'''Chase County''' is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 3,893.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chase County, Nebraska|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Chase_County,_Nebraska?g=050XX00US31029|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 16, 2023}}</ref> Its county seat is Imperial.<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>
In the Nebraska license plate system, Chase County is represented by the prefix 72 (it had the 72nd-most vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).
==History== Chase County was named after Champion S. Chase, who served as mayor of Omaha for seven years and was Nebraska's first Attorney General.
Chase County was separated from Hayes County by the Nebraska legislature on February 27, 1873, although the county was not organized until 1886.<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=35|access-date=December 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/chase.html|title=Chase County|publisher=Nebraska Association of County Officials|access-date=December 14, 2014}}</ref>
It was once said that, excluding ranch owners, their wives, and their cooks, at the time Chase County was organized it was populated entirely by cowboys. Part of the reason for such a statement may have been the fact that at one time Frenchman Creek and its main branch the Stinking Water Creek were used as watering stops for cattle drives that traveled from Texas to the Union Pacific railhead at Ogallala. These trails are known as the Western or Great Western trails.<ref>[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ayw02 Western Trail, The Handbook of Texas]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.greatwesterncattletrail.com/along_gwct_a/along_gwct.html |title=The Great Western Trail |access-date=March 1, 2009 |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007145752/http://www.greatwesterncattletrail.com/along_gwct_a/along_gwct.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Chase County sits in the region once referred to as the Great American Desert. However, on the broad, fertile plateau, early settlers quickly discovered that Chase County's dark sandy loam soil was excellent for farming.
The railroad came to Chase County in 1892, reaching Wauneta on January 28.<ref>[http://www.chasecounty.com/waunetahistory.html Chase County Tourism]</ref> It was built by a division of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. This line left the main line near Culbertson and terminated in Imperial.
===National Register of Historic Places listings=== * Imperial ** Balcony House (listed 2000)<ref>[http://www.chasecounty.com/balconyhousehistory.html Chase County Tourism]</ref><ref name=NSH>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20000410215113/http://nebraskahistory.org/histpres/nebraska/chase.htm Nebraska State Historical Society]}}</ref> ** Chase County Court House (listed 1990) <ref name=NSH/><ref name=CCT>[http://www.chasecounty.com/chasecourthousehistory.html Chase County Tourism]</ref> * Wauneta ** Wauneta Roller Mills (listed 2008)<ref name=NSH/> * Champion ** Champion Mill (listed 1988)<ref name=NSH/><ref name=CCT/> * Rural Areas ** Lovett Site (listed 1972)<ref name=NSH/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0300/stories/0301_0102.html |title=NebraskaStudies.Org |access-date=June 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017212318/http://nebraskastudies.org/0300/stories/0301_0102.html |archive-date=October 17, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ** Texas Trail Stone Corral (listed 2002), on Spring Creek North of Imperial<ref name=NSH/><ref>[http://www.chasecounty.com/championmillhistory.html Chase County Tourism]</ref>
==Law and government== Chase County is served by a three-member Board of Commissioners. County officials are directly elected. It is a part of the 44th Legislative District of the Nebraska Legislature.<ref>[http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/index.php Nebraska Legislature]</ref>
==Geography== Chase County is on the west edge of Nebraska. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Colorado. According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|897|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|894|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.1|sqmi}} (0.3%) 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>
Chase County is geographically diverse. The spring-fed Frenchman Creek crosses the county from west to southeast. From Enders to Wauneta the path of the creek exposes limestone outcroppings. North of Wauneta is an area of significant loess deposits, including the typical steep-walled canyons. Rolling Sandhill formations are found in the north-central and southwestern areas of the county.
The Pierre Shale of Upper Cretaceous Age is the underlying structure of the region. At Enders Dam this formation is found at a depth of {{convert|175|ft|m}} below the valley floor. The Ogallala Formation of Pliocene Age overlies the Pierre Shale. The Ogallala Formation is composed of fine to coarse sand, some gravel, calcareous silt, silty sands, silts and clays. Various degrees of calcareous cementation occur, resulting in lenses of varying loose unconsolidated to very firm compact materials at irregular intervals. The Ogallala beds lie almost horizontal and structural irregularities, such as faulting, have been observed in the area.<ref>[http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/ne01070.htm Bureau of Reclamation - Enders Dam Data] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513010920/http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/ne01070.htm|date=May 13, 2009}}</ref>
The Ogallala Formation is of vital importance to the county and the surrounding areas. The associated Ogallala Aquifer is the primary source of water for the population and livestock, and an important input into agricultural economy of the county.
===Adjacent counties=== {{div col}} * Hayes County – east * Dundy County – south * Yuma County, Colorado – southwest * Phillips County, Colorado – west * Perkins County – north {{div col end}}
===Protected areas=== * Church Grove Recreation Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Church+Grove+Recreation+Area,+Enders,+NE+69027/@40.4388427,-101.577226,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8774399f9698f58d:0xda38860cede3bdab!8m2!3d40.4420856!4d-101.5759672 ''Church Grove Recreation Area, Enders NE'' Google Maps (accessed 17 January 2019)]</ref> * Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Enders+Reservoir+State+Recreation+Area,+Enders,+NE+69027/@40.4347925,-101.5744846,14.5z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8774399f9698f58d:0xda38860cede3bdab!2sChurch+Grove+Recreation+Area,+Enders,+NE+69027!3b1!8m2!3d40.4420856!4d-101.5759672!3m4!1s0x877439b89d8a541d:0xcee3da7b401b7964!8m2!3d40.4273897!4d-101.534754 ''Enders Grove State Recreation Area, Enders NE'' Google Maps (accessed 17 January 2019)]</ref>
==Demographics== {{US Census population |1880= 70 |1890= 4807 |1900= 2559 |1910= 3613 |1920= 4939 |1930= 5484 |1940= 5310 |1950= 5176 |1960= 4317 |1970= 4129 |1980= 4758 |1990= 4381 |2000= 4068 |2010= 3966 |2020= 3893 |estyear=2025 |estimate=3718 |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|archive-date=December 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212224028/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</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 name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31029.html|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607145324/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31029.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> | align = right }}
===2020 census===
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 3,893. The median age was 43.9 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.4 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%3A029&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%3A029&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 85.0% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 7.6% from some other race, and 6.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 14.4% 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%3A029&in=state%3A31|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 22, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 1,575 households in the county, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 1,850 housing units, of which 14.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.8% were owner-occupied and 26.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.4%.<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 4,068 people, 1,662 households, and 1,163 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 1,927 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.81% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.47% from other races, and 0.25% from two or more races. 3.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 44.6% were of German, 13.0% American, 12.3% English and 7.1% Irish ancestry.
There were 1,662 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.10% were married couples living together, 5.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
The county population contained 25.20% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 23.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 21.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,351, and the median income for a family was $39,225. Males had a median income of $27,554 versus $17,602 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,490. About 7.90% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.50% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.
==Economy== Chase County economy is based on agriculture. A third of the county's area is under irrigation; another fourth is used for dry farming. The rest is rangeland. Wheat, corn, edible beans (pintos, kidneys and great northerns), soybeans and sugar beets are the principal crops. Livestock production is equally important in the county's economy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.e-referencedesk.com/resources/counties/nebraska/chase.html |title=eReference Desk, Chase County, Nebraska |access-date=March 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528105802/http://www.e-referencedesk.com/resources/counties/nebraska/chase.html |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> In 2007, sales of agricultural products exceeded $125 Million, with Corn ($96 Million) and Wheat ($11 Million) being the primary crops.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090305055421/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_County_Level/Nebraska/st31_2_002_002.pdf 2007 Census of Agriculture, USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service]</ref>
==Transportation== The main highway routes crossing Chase County are U.S. Route 6 which crosses east–west and Nebraska Highway 61 which crosses north–south.<ref>[http://www.nebraskatransportation.org/docs/logbook.pdf Nebraska Highway Logbook]</ref> The county is served by the Nebraska Kansas & Colorado Railway. NKCR is an operating company of OmniTRAX. This short line operates the branch line which interchanges with the BNSF. This line enters the county near the southeastern corner passing through Wauneta and Enders, terminating at Imperial.<ref>[http://www.omnitrax.com/rail_nkcr.aspx# Nebraska Kansas Colorado Railway] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506063412/http://www.omnitrax.com/rail_nkcr.aspx%23|date=May 6, 2009}}</ref>
===Major highways=== * 20px U.S. Highway 6 * 20px Nebraska Highway 61
==Communities== ===City=== * Imperial (county seat)
===Villages=== * Wauneta
===Census-designated places=== * Champion * Enders
===Former communities=== * Best * Blanche * Chase * Lamar, unincorporated November 5, 2024
==Notable people== Lee Edward Travis - psychiatrist and speech pathologist
==Politics== Chase County voters are strongly Republican. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected a Democratic Party candidate. In 2024, Donald Trump won the highest share of the vote ever in the county at 88.2%. Republicans also hold a significant advantage in voter registration in Chase County, with 1,902 registered Republicans compared with just 282 registered Democrats as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=January 8, 2021|title=2021 Eligible Voter Statistics|url=https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/voter-registration-statistics|access-date=January 18, 2021|website=Nebraska Secretary of State}}</ref> {{PresHead|place=Chase 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|Republican|313|274|20|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|329|111|87|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|400|338|37|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1912|Progressive|197|262|325|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|369|551|67|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|976|414|85|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|919|570|419|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,540|579|23|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|948|1,408|99|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,031|1,493|63|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,557|904|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,444|648|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,094|736|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,941|463|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,444|670|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,482|657|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,081|907|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,171|363|193|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,318|307|0|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,146|725|66|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,593|324|186|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,697|368|32|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,446|597|39|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,000|398|685|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,277|365|212|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,505|306|64|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,652|302|19|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,477|341|26|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,584|254|29|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,648|171|79|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,740|226|34|Nebraska}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|1,648|204|16|Nebraska}} {{PresFoot}}
==See also== * National Register of Historic Places listings in Chase County, Nebraska
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * [http://www.chasecounty.com Chase County, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce]
{{Geographic Location |Centre = Chase County, Nebraska |North = Perkins County |East = Hayes County |South = Dundy County |Southwest = Yuma County, Colorado |West = Phillips County, Colorado }} {{Chase County, Nebraska}} {{Nebraska}} {{authority control}} {{coord|40.53|-101.69|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}
Category:Chase County, Nebraska Category:Nebraska counties Category:1886 establishments in Nebraska Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1886