Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska and is the county seat of Lancaster County. It is the second-largest city in the state (after Omaha).
Lincoln is located at 40°48'35" North, 96°40'31" West (40.809868, -96.675345) . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 195.2 km2 (75.4 sq mi). 193.3 km2 (74.6 sq mi) of it is land and 1.9 km2 (0.7 sq mi) of it is water. The total area is 0.98% water.
Lincoln is one of the few large cities of Nebraska not located along either the Platte River or the Missouri River. The city was originally laid out near Salt Creek and among the nearly flat saline wetlands of northern Lancaster County. The city's growth over the years has led to development of the surrounding land, much of which is composed of gently rolling hills. In recent years, Lincoln's northward growth has encroached on the habitat of the endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle.
1880 - 13,0031890 - 55,1641900 - 40,1691910 - 43,9731920 - 54,9481930 - 75,9331940 - 81,9841950 - 98,8841960 - 128,5211970 - 149,5181980 - 171,9321990 - 191,9722000 - 225,581
As of the census of 2000, there are 225,581 people, 90,485 households, and 53,567 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,166.9/km2 (3,022.2/sq mi). There are 95,199 housing units at an average density of 492.5/km2 (1,275.4/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city is 89.25% White, 3.09% African American, 0.68% Native American, 3.12% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.81% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 3.61% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 90,485 households, out of which 29.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% are married couples living together, 9.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% are non-families. 30.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 2.99.
In the city, the population is spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 16.4% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $40,605, and the median income for a family is $52,558. Males have a median income of $33,899 versus $25,402 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,984. 10.1% of the population and 5.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.7% of those under the age of 18 and 6.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The 2004 Census Bureau estimate of Lincoln's population is 236,146; the 2004 population estimate for the Lincoln metropolitan area is 278,201.
Lincoln's economy is fairly typical of a mid-sized American city; most economic activity is derived from service industries. The state government and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are both large contributors to the local economy. Other prominent industries in Lincoln include banking, information technology, insurance, and rail and truck transport.
Three regional fast-food restaurant chains began in Lincoln: Amigos/Kings Classic, Runza Restaurants and Valentino's.
Lincoln started out as the village of Lancaster, which was founded in 1856, and became the county seat of the newly-created Lancaster County in 1859. The territorial capital of Nebraska had been Omaha since the creation of the territory in 1854. However, most of the population lived south of the Platte River. After much of the territory south of the Platte considered annexation to Kansas, the legislature voted to move the capital south of the river and as far west as possible. The village of Lancaster was chosen, in part due to the salt flats and marshes nearby.
However, Omaha interests attempted to derail the move by having Lancaster renamed after the recently assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. At the time, many of the people south of the river had been sympathetic towards the Confederate cause and it was assumed that the legislature would not pass the measure if the future capital was named after Lincoln. The ploy did not work, as Lancaster was renamed Lincoln and became the state capital at the same time that Nebraska became a state, on March 1, 1867.
Source:
LincolnNebraska.com
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