Niobrara, Nebraska Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 20, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Niobrara, Nebraska is located in the northern part of the state and is situated on the Missouri River. The city has a population of approximately 1,000 people and is known for its small-town charm and friendly atmosphere. The geography of Niobrara consists mainly of rolling hills, open prairie land, and small lakes. The climate in Niobrara is generally mild with warm summers and cold winters.

The history of Niobrara dates back to the late 1800s when it was founded by settlers from Europe who were looking for a place to raise their families. It quickly became a bustling community that was home to a variety of businesses and services for its residents. Today, Niobrara remains an important agricultural center in Nebraska, providing food for many surrounding communities.

Politics in Niobrara are mostly conservative with strong support for traditional values and family life. Education is highly valued in the town as well; there are two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, as well as several private schools within the city limits.

The economy of Niobrara largely revolves around agriculture with farming being the primary source of income for many families in the area. There are also several small businesses within the town that provide goods and services to its citizens such as restaurants, hardware stores, auto repair shops, beauty salons, etc.

Niobrara has some noteworthy landmarks that draw visitors from all over Nebraska such as the historic Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge which offers outdoor adventures such as camping and fishing; it also contains an abundance of wildlife species such as bison, elk and deer which can be observed year-round at this location. Other popular attractions include Lake Ogallala which is a large lake located just outside town with plenty of recreational activities available including swimming boating fishing etc; there’s also a local museum dedicated to preserving local history that’s worth checking out if you’re interested in learning more about this region’s past.

Population: 379. Estimated population in July 2024: 358 (-5.5% change)
Males: 193 (50.9%), Females: 186 (49.1%)

Knox County

Zip code: 68760

Demographics

Median resident age: 49.3 years
Median household income: $26,000
Median house value: $40,900

Population by Race

Races in Niobrara:

White Non-Hispanic (86.3%)
American Indian (12.1%)
Hispanic (2.4%)
Two or more races (2.1%)
Other race (0.5%)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (0.5%)

Ancestries: German (28.2%), Czech (14.0%), Irish (10.8%), Norwegian (10.8%), English (6.6%), Swedish (4.7%).

Elevation: 1230 feet

Land area: 0.7 square miles

Population by Education

Niobrara, Nebraska is a small town located in the northeastern corner of the state. It has a population of around 600 people, and this population is largely homogenous. The majority of Niobrara’s residents are of European descent and primarily speak English as their primary language. The town is quite rural, with most people living in single-family homes or small apartments. There are a few larger housing complexes, but these are not as common. The town also has a small number of businesses such as convenience stores, gas stations, and restaurants. There are two churches in the town as well – one Catholic and one Lutheran – which serve the religious needs of the community. Education is provided by a public school system that serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Additionally, there is an alternative education center that provides programs for those who need additional educational assistance or those who have special needs. Overall, Niobrara offers its residents a safe and comfortable place to live with close-knit community ties.

For population 25 years and over in Niobrara

High school or higher: 88.1%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 7.8%
Unemployed: 7.5%
Mean travel time to work: 17.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Niobrara village

Never married: 14.8%
Now married: 61.6%
Separated: 0.0%
Widowed: 14.8%
Divorced: 8.8%

2.4% Foreign born (0.8% Europe, 0.8% Asia, 0.8% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: -26 (-6.4%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Niobrara:

ST MICHAEL’S HOSPITAL – CAH (about 21 miles; TYNDALL, SD)
CREIGHTON AREA HEALTH SERVICES (about 22 miles; CREIGHTON, NE)
WAGNER COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL-CAH (about 28 miles; WAGNER, SD)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Niobrara:

CHAN GURNEY MUNI (about 47 miles; YANKTON, SD; Abbreviation: YKN)
KARL STEFAN MEMORIAL (about 68 miles; NORFOLK, NE; Abbreviation: OFK)
JOE FOSS FIELD (about 106 miles; SIOUX FALLS, SD; Abbreviation: FSD)

Other public-use airports nearest to Niobrara:

SPRINGFIELD MUNI (about 13 miles; SPRINGFIELD, SD; Abbreviation: Y03)
CREIGHTON MUNI (about 23 miles; CREIGHTON, NE; Abbreviation: 6K3)
WAGNER MUNI (about 27 miles; WAGNER, SD; Abbreviation: AGZ)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Niobrara:

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 65 miles; NORFOLK, NE; Full-time enrollment: 2,732)
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA (about 76 miles; VERMILLION, SD; Full-time enrollment: 6,014)
WAYNE STATE COLLEGE (about 79 miles; WAYNE, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,026)
WESTERN IOWA TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 122 miles; SIOUX CITY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,639)
CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 134 miles; GRAND ISLAND, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,730)
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 141 miles; BROOKINGS, SD; Full-time enrollment: 7,353)
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY (about 150 miles; KEARNEY, NE; Full-time enrollment: 5,588)

Schools

Public high schools in Niobrara:

NIOBRARA SECONDARY SCHOOL (Students: 75; Grades: 07 – 12)
SANTEE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 49; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Niobrara:

NIOBRARA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 85; Grades: PK – 06)
SANTEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 73; Grades: PK – 06)

Libraries

Library in Niobrara:

NIOBRARA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $21,206; Location: 254-14 PARK AVENUE; 7,500 books; 71 audio materials; 300 video materials; 22 serial subscriptions)