Alma, Nebraska
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Alma is a city located in Harlan County, Nebraska. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,214. It is the county seat of Harlan CountyTemplate:GR.
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Geography
Alma is located at 40°6'3" North, 99°21'45" West (40.100733, -99.362618)Template:GR.
Accccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²). 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 1,214 people, 520 households, and 318 families residing in the city. The population density is 669.6/km² (1,744.7/mi²). There are 594 housing units at an average density of 327.6/km² (853.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 99.18% White, 0.00% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 520 households out of which 25.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% are married couples living together, 5.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% are non-families. 36.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 22.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.23 and the average family size is 2.93.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 3.4% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 28.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 46 years. For every 100 females there are 83.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $27,315, and the median income for a family is $36,250. Males have a median income of $26,786 versus $17,065 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,795. 13.1% of the population and 9.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.5% of those under the age of 18 and 10.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
Alma was founded in the spring of 1871 by a group of Union Pacific railroad laborers originally from Cheyenne, Wyoming. Harlan County was created by the Nebraska Legislature on June 3, 1871, and Alma was made the county seat on July 3, 1871. Alma's status as county seat was challenged by residents of Orleans but an 1884 Nebraksa Supreme Court decision affirmed Alma's status as seat of Harlan County. Alma officially incorporated in July 1881.
On January 13, 1880 the Burlington Railroad reached Alma, providing a significant boost for local commerce and industry. In 1887, the Kansas City and Omaha Railroad also reached Alma. Telephone service reached Alma in June 1899. Electricity arrived with a steam power plant in 1906 and water service followed in 1907.
In 1935, major flooding of the nearby Republican River provided an impetus to build a dam on the river. The Army Corps of Engineers started construction of the Harlan County Dam on August 1, 1946, and completed work in November 1952. The new Harlan County Lake became one of Alma's top recreation destinations.
During World War II, Alma hosted a small number of captured German soldiers.
References
- Flasnick, Bob, editor (1992). Alma: Towards the Year 2000. Harlan County Journal.