Fort Calhoun, Nebraska
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Fort Calhoun, Nebraska | |
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 Downtown Fort Calhoun along U.S. Route 75, June 2021 | |
 Location of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska | |
| Coordinates: 41°27′22″N 96°01′35″W / 41.45611°N 96.02639°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Washington |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.68 sq mi (1.77 km2) |
| • Land | 0.68 sq mi (1.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,099 ft (335 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,108 |
| • Density | 1,623.3/sq mi (626.75/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 68023 |
| Area code | 402 |
| FIPS code | 31-17145[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394795[2] |
Fort Calhoun is a city in Washington County, Nebraska, United States, located along the Missouri River approximately north of Omaha. The population was 1,108 at the 2020 United States census. The city is notable for its proximity to Fort Atkinson, the first permanent United States military post established west of the Missouri River, which played an important role in early American expansion and relations with Native American nations.[4]
Fort Calhoun developed as an agricultural community following its establishment in the 1850s and has retained its historic character while becoming part of the broader Omaha metropolitan area. The city and surrounding region are closely associated with early 19th-century military history, westward expansion, and settlement along the Missouri River.[5]
History
[edit source]Early history and Fort Atkinson
[edit source]The area surrounding present-day Fort Calhoun was historically inhabited by Native American peoples, including nations of the central Great Plains. Its location along the Missouri River made the region significant for transportation, trade, and diplomatic relations between Indigenous nations and European-American explorers.
In 1804, members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition visited the area and held a diplomatic meeting with representatives of the Otoe and Missouri tribes at a location known as Council Bluff. The site was later considered strategically important because of its position overlooking the Missouri River.[6]
In 1819, the United States Army established Fort Atkinson near present-day Fort Calhoun. The fort became the first permanent United States military post west of the Missouri River and served as a center for military operations, trade protection, and relations with Native American nations. It remained active until 1827, when it was abandoned as the Army shifted its focus farther west.[7]
Settlement and establishment
[edit source]Following the abandonment of Fort Atkinson, settlers gradually moved into the surrounding area. Fort Calhoun was platted in 1855 during the period of settlement following the creation of the Nebraska Territory. The community was named after John C. Calhoun, a prominent American statesman who served as the seventh Vice President of the United States.[8]
The town developed primarily as an agricultural settlement due to the fertile lands of the Missouri River valley. Farming, livestock production, and local commerce became central parts of the community's economy throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Modern history
[edit source]During the 20th century, Fort Calhoun remained a small agricultural community while becoming increasingly connected to nearby Omaha through improved transportation networks. The preservation of Fort Atkinson and other historic sites contributed to the city's continued association with Nebraska's early territorial history.[9]
Today, Fort Calhoun functions as a residential community within the Omaha metropolitan region while maintaining its historic identity through local preservation efforts and its proximity to Fort Atkinson State Historical Park.
Climate
[edit source]| Climate data for Fort Calhoun, NE (normals 2002-2023) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 52 (11) |
57 (14) |
74 (23) |
85 (29) |
89 (32) |
93 (34) |
95 (35) |
94 (34) |
91 (33) |
84 (29) |
71 (22) |
57 (14) |
95 (35) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 31.3 (−0.4) |
33.6 (0.9) |
48.4 (9.1) |
62.1 (16.7) |
70.8 (21.6) |
82.0 (27.8) |
84.6 (29.2) |
82.9 (28.3) |
76.1 (24.5) |
62.0 (16.7) |
49.1 (9.5) |
35.2 (1.8) |
59.8 (15.5) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 22.5 (−5.3) |
23.8 (−4.6) |
38.1 (3.4) |
50.5 (10.3) |
60.6 (15.9) |
72.1 (22.3) |
73.7 (23.2) |
73.2 (22.9) |
65.2 (18.4) |
51.5 (10.8) |
38.9 (3.8) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
49.7 (9.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 13.7 (−10.2) |
14.0 (−10.0) |
27.9 (−2.3) |
39.0 (3.9) |
50.5 (10.3) |
62.1 (16.7) |
64.9 (18.3) |
63.5 (17.5) |
54.3 (12.4) |
40.9 (4.9) |
28.7 (−1.8) |
18.2 (−7.7) |
39.8 (4.3) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −7 (−22) |
−5 (−21) |
9 (−13) |
24 (−4) |
37 (3) |
52 (11) |
57 (14) |
56 (13) |
43 (6) |
26 (−3) |
12 (−11) |
−1 (−18) |
−7 (−22) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.81 (21) |
0.95 (24) |
1.85 (47) |
2.87 (73) |
5.15 (131) |
5.01 (127) |
2.63 (67) |
4.68 (119) |
2.87 (73) |
2.47 (63) |
0.88 (22) |
1.63 (41) |
31.8 (808) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 9.5 (24) |
7.9 (20) |
3.8 (9.7) |
1.0 (2.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.9 (2.3) |
1.2 (3.0) |
6.0 (15) |
30.3 (76.5) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 6 (15) |
7 (18) |
4 (10) |
1 (2.5) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
1 (2.5) |
4 (10) |
7 (18) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 6 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 87 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 14 |
| Source: NOAA[10] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit source]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 236 | — | |
| 1880 | 240 | 1.7% | |
| 1900 | 346 | — | |
| 1910 | 324 | −6.4% | |
| 1920 | 309 | −4.6% | |
| 1930 | 309 | 0.0% | |
| 1940 | 329 | 6.5% | |
| 1950 | 314 | −4.6% | |
| 1960 | 458 | 45.9% | |
| 1970 | 642 | 40.2% | |
| 1980 | 641 | −0.2% | |
| 1990 | 648 | 1.1% | |
| 2000 | 856 | 32.1% | |
| 2010 | 908 | 6.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,108 | 22.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] | |||
2010 census
[edit source]As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 908 people, 391 households, and 253 families living in the city. The population density was 1,396.9 inhabitants per square mile (539.3/km2). There were 413 housing units at an average density of 635.4 per square mile (245.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.
There were 391 households, of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.3% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.95.
The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 30.8% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.
2000 census
[edit source]As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 856 people, 342 households, and 229 families living in the city. The population density was 1,380.5 inhabitants per square mile (533.0/km2). There were 375 housing units at an average density of 604.8 per square mile (233.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.48% White, 0.58% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.12% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.
There were 342 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $41,500, and the median income for a family was $57,679. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,779. About 3.1% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under the age of 18 and 6.0% of those 65 and older.
See also
[edit source]
References
[edit source]- ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fort Calhoun, Nebraska
- 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ↑ "Fort Atkinson". National Park Service. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Fort Atkinson". Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Fort Atkinson". National Park Service. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Fort Atkinson State Historical Park". National Park Service. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Fort Calhoun, Washington County". University of Nebraska Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Fort Atkinson State Historical Park". Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Monthly Summarized Data: FORT CALHOUN 4W, NE". weather.gov. National Weather Service. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
External links
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Municipalities and communities of Washington County, Nebraska, United States | ||
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