North Platte, Nebraska


North Platte is a city in, and the county seat of, Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States. It is located in the west-central part of the state, along Interstate 80, at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers forming the Platte River. The population was 24,733 at the 2010 census.
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.
North Platte is the principal city of the North Platte Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Lincoln, Logan, and McPherson counties.

History

North Platte was established in 1866 when the Union Pacific Railroad was extended to that point. It was named from the North Platte River.
On July 13, 1929, black North Platte resident Louis "Slim" Seeman was accused of shooting and killing Edward Green, a North Platte police officer. Following the incident, a mob of white residents of North Platte killed Seeman, then walked through the city, telling black residents to leave North Platte. Fearing mob violence, most of North Platte's black residents fled.

Geography

North Platte is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Climate

North Platte experiences a dry continental climate similar to that of the Nebraska High Plains, classified as humid continental, and, with an annual average precipitation of, barely avoids semi-arid; it is part of USDA Hardiness zone 5a. The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from in January to in July. On average, there are 3.5 days that reach or higher, 37 days that reach or higher, 33 days that do not climb above freezing, and 13 days with a low of or below. The average window for freezing temperatures is September 26 thru May 10, allowing a growing season of 138 days. Extreme temperatures officially range from on January 15, 1888 and February 12, 1899, up to on July 11, 1954; the record cold daily maximum is on January 14, 1888, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is on July 25, 1940.
Precipitation is greatest in May and June and has ranged from in 1931 to in 1951. Snowfall averages per season, and has historically ranged from in 1903–04 to in 1979–80; the average window for measurable snowfall is October 30 thru April 11, with May snow being rare.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 24,733 people, 10,560 households, and 6,290 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 11,450 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 93.1% White, 1.0% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 2.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.8% of the population.
There were 10,560 households of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.95.
The median age in the city was 37.1 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,878 people, 9,944 households, and 6,224 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,281.5 people per square mile. There were 10,718 housing units at an average density of 1,024.1 per square mile. 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.
As of 2000 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.

Media

AM Radio

FM Radio

Transportation

North Platte is home to North Platte Regional Airport. United Express serves the airport with twice-daily service to Denver International Airport.

Points of interest

North Platte is home to the world's largest rail yard, Bailey Yard. The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center is an eight-story building which overlooks the expansive classification yard and engine facilities. The tower and visitor center are open to the public year-round.
North Platte was the western terminus of the Union Pacific Railway from the summer of 1867 until the next section to Laramie, Wyoming, was opened the following summer. Even though Congress had authorized the building of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1862, it was only extended as far as Nebraska City by the start of the summer of 1867. The 275-mile section from Nebraska City to North Platte was completed in less than six weeks.
Lincoln County Historical Museum contains a display detailing the history of the North Platte 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.
Every June, North Platte hosts the annual "Nebraskaland Days". The event includes parades, art shows, rodeos, concerts, and food events. It draws over 100,000 attendees every year.
North Platte is host to the annual Miss Nebraska pageant, an official preliminary for the Miss America Organization.

Notable people