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Moving to Atkinson, Nebraska

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The current estimated population of Atkinson, Nebraska, is 1,100, with approximately 49% male and 51% female. The population has remained stable over the years, with little change in growth due to its rural location and reliance on agriculture as the main economic activity.

City Facts

  • Year Founded: 1879
  • County Affiliation: Holt County
  • Land Area: 1.33 square miles
  • Population Density: 827 people per square mile
  • Area Code: 402
  • Zip Codes: 68713

Geography and Location

Atkinson, Nebraska, is located in Holt County, in the northeastern part of the state. The town sits within the Sandhills region, which is characterized by gently rolling dunes of grass-covered sand, making it a unique geographic area within the Great Plains. This rural community is approximately 40 miles west of O’Neill, the county seat, and about 150 miles northeast of North Platte. The region is known for its vast open spaces and agricultural productivity, particularly cattle ranching and crop farming.

The town’s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, with the surrounding landscape being used primarily for grazing cattle and growing crops such as corn and soybeans. Atkinson is located near the Elkhorn River, which provides water for irrigation and supports the area’s agricultural needs. The terrain is mostly flat to gently rolling, with a mixture of grasslands and small patches of woodlands.

Atkinson experiences a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The area receives moderate rainfall, which supports the agricultural activities, though drought conditions occasionally pose challenges. Residents of Atkinson enjoy the quiet, rural lifestyle typical of small towns in Nebraska, with ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and hiking in the nearby Sandhills.

Demographics

Median resident age: 43.8 years
Median household income: $28,490
Median house value: $46,300

Population by Race

Races in Atkinson:

  • White Non-Hispanic (98.5%)
  • Hispanic (0.9%)
  • Two or more races (0.6%)

Ancestries: German (40.4%), Irish (12.9%), English (8.8%), Czech (7.2%), United States (6.2%), Swedish (3.2%).

Elevation: 2105 feet

Land area: 1.3 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Atkinson

  • High school or higher: 82.7%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.1%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.3%
  • Unemployed: 2.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 13.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Atkinson city

  • Never married: 16.4%
  • Now married: 64.4%
  • Separated: 1.7%
  • Widowed: 10.9%
  • Divorced: 6.6%

0.1% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -141 (-10.2%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Atkinson:

  • WEST HOLT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (406 WEST NEELY STREET RR1 BOX 200)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Atkinson:

  • AVERA ST ANTHONYS HOSPITAL (about 26 miles; O’ NEILL, NE)
  • ROCK COUNTY HOSPITAL (about 39 miles; BASSETT, NE)
  • NIOBRARA VALLEY HOSPITAL CORP (about 42 miles; LYNCH, NE)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Atkinson:

  • KARL STEFAN MEMORIAL (about 114 miles; NORFOLK, NE; Abbreviation: OFK)
  • CHAN GURNEY MUNI (about 114 miles; YANKTON, SD; Abbreviation: YKN)
  • CENTRAL NEBRASKA REGIONAL (about 118 miles; GRAND ISLAND, NE; Abbreviation: GRI)

Other public-use airports nearest to Atkinson:

  • STUART-ATKINSON MUNI (about 5 miles; ATKINSON, NE; Abbreviation: 8V2)
  • THE O’NEILL MUNI-JOHN L BAKER FIELD (about 21 miles; O’NEILL, NE; Abbreviation: ONL)
  • PERKINS MEMORIAL AIRPARK (about 29 miles; CHAMBERS, NE; Abbreviation: 88Y)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Atkinson:

  • NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 105 miles; NORFOLK, NE; Full-time enrollment: 2,732)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY (about 116 miles; KEARNEY, NE; Full-time enrollment: 5,588)
  • CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 119 miles; GRAND ISLAND, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,730)
  • WAYNE STATE COLLEGE (about 137 miles; WAYNE, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,026)
  • UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA (about 142 miles; VERMILLION, SD; Full-time enrollment: 6,014)
  • WESTERN IOWA TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 185 miles; SIOUX CITY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,639)
  • SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA (about 197 miles; LINCOLN, NE; Full-time enrollment: 5,137)

Schools

Public high school in Atkinson:

  • WEST HOLT RURAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 171; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Atkinson:

  • ATKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 152; Grades: PK – 08)
  • RIDGEWAY PUBLIC SCHOOL (Students: 13; Grades: PK – 08)
  • CLOVER COVE PUBLIC SCHOOL (Students: 12; Grades: PK – 08)
  • UNION PUBLIC SCHOOL (Students: 12; Grades: PK – 08)
  • DIST 102 – HOLT COUNTY (Students: 9; Grades: PK – 08)
  • PLEASANT VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOL (Students: 5; Grades: PK – 08)
  • PHOENIX PUBLIC SCHOOL (Students: 4; Grades: PK – 08)

Private primary/middle school in Atkinson:

  • ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 87; Location: 102 NORTH TULLER BOX 69; Grades: KG – 8)

Libraries

Library in Atkinson:

  • ATKINSON PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $91,446; Location: 113 WEST STATE STREET; 17,156 books; 271 audio materials; 213 video materials; 27 serial subscriptions)

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