Loup City, Nebraska

Loup City is the county seat of Sherman County,[6] in the central portion of the Midwestern state of Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,029 at the 2010 census. Loup City is close to the Middle Loup River, and about five miles from Sherman Reservoir.

Loup City, Nebraska
City
Corner of 7th and O Streets in Loup City. The painting on the pavement is the White Eagle from the Polish coat of arms.
Location of Loup City, Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°16′38″N 98°58′5″W
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
County	Sherman
Area [1]
• Total	0.94 sq mi (2.44 km^2)
• Land	0.94 sq mi (2.44 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km^2)
Elevation	2,073 ft (632 m)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	1,029
• Estimate  (2019)[3]	973
• Density	1,032.91/sq mi (398.84/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	68853
Area code(s)	308
FIPS code	31-29470[4]
GNIS feature ID	0830919[5]
Website	www.loupcity.com

History

The first settlement at Loup City was made in the early 1870s.[7] Loup City was platted in 1873, and designated county seat.[8] Loup City was named after the Loup River.[9]

During the Great Depression, Loup City was the site of a clash between radical leftists, influenced by Mother Bloor, who clashed with area residents in June 1934 following efforts by Communists to organize the workers of a poultry processing plant.

The completion of Sherman Reservoir in 1963 added tourism to the area's economic base.

Recreation

Sherman Dam - 2,845-acre lake and 4,721 land acres. Primitive camping includes 360 non-pad sites. Facilities include picnic tables, shelters, water, dumpstation, modern restrooms, vault toilets, four boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, coin-operated showers and concession.

Bowman Recreation Area - Bowman Lake, located one mile west of Loup City, is a 23-acre area lying adjacent to the Loup River and features a 20-acre man made lake. It offers picnicking, fishing and primitive camping.

Jenners Park - At one time, Jenner's Park was home to amusement rides and a zoo. Today, the park is home to a disc golf course, two picnic shelters, outdoor grills, playground equipment, and an outdoor recreation area.

Loup City Swimming Pool - Newly built in 2000, the Loup City pool has a water slide, diving board, basketball hoop, mushroom, and zero depth entry.

Loup City Golf Course - A 9-hole course located one mile west of Loup City. The par 36 course has mature trees, a creek, and several ponds.

Petersen Park Ball Fields - Two newly developed baseball fields used for T-ball teams to high school softball teams. The park also includes a playground area for younger children.

Geography

Loup City is located at 41°16′38″N 98°58′5″W (41.277332, -98.968063).[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.94 square miles (2.43 km²), all land.[11]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1890	671		—
1900	826		23.1%
1910	1,128		36.6%
1920	1,364		20.9%
1930	1,446		6.0%
1940	1,675		15.8%
1950	1,508		−10.0%
1960	1,415		−6.2%
1970	1,456		2.9%
1980	1,368		−6.0%
1990	1,104		−19.3%
2000	996		−9.8%
2010	1,029		3.3%
2019 (est.)	973	[3]	−5.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

2010 census

Loup City Population by Decade

1940: 1,675 1950: 1,508 1960: 1,415 1970: 1,456 1980: 1,368 1990: 1,104 2000:  996 2010: 1,029

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,029 people, 462 households, and 263 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,094.7 inhabitants per square mile (422.7/km²). There were 569 housing units at an average density of 605.3 per square mile (233.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.7% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 462 households, of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.1% were non-families. 40.5% of all households were made up of individuals; 20.4% consisted of someone who was 65 years of age or older and living alone. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age in the city was 48.1 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 27.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

Culture

For many years Loup City has proclaimed itself as the "Polish capital of Nebraska," due to a significant Polish population (see Polonia). "Polish Days" is an annual community event held on the first weekend of June. The town's Catholic church, Saint Josaphat's, features stained glass windows commemorating area families, most with Polish names. The windows were salvaged from the previous St. Josaphat's and date from the early 1900s.[13]

The early Loup City settlement has been depicted in the 2014 movie The Homesman.[14]

Notable people

• Edmund C. Jaeger - Desert ecologist and naturalist who taught at Riverside City College in Riverside, California for 30 years
• Richard Raymond - Prominent Nebraska doctor and Undersecretary in the Department of Agriculture during the George W. Bush Administration
• Charles H. Mohr - News correspondent during the Vietnam War and in the Middle East

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
7. "Our Community". Loup City, NE city website. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
8. "Loup City, Sherman County". Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. University of Nebraska. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
9. Fitzpatrick, Lillian L. (1960). Nebraska Place-Names. University of Nebraska Press. p. 135. ISBN 0-8032-5060-6. A 1925 edition is available for download at University of Nebraska—Lincoln Digital Commons.
10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
11. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
13. "Our Community". www.nppd.com. Retrieved 2012-12-27. External link in |publisher= (help)
14. "The Homesman". Official Website.