Oconto is a village in
Custer County,
Nebraska
Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the southwe ...
, United States. The population was 151 at the
2010 census.
History
The community was founded in 1887 as Olax, but the original name conflicted with another Nebraska location, so it was renamed to Oconto. The exact source of the name has been debated, some hold Oconto was the name of a pioneer settler, while others believe the town was named after
Oconto, Wisconsin
Oconto is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,609 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. It is part of the Green Bay, Wisconsin, Green Bay Green Bay metropolitan area, Metropol ...
. Oconto was incorporated in 1906.
On October 31, 2000, a tornado hit Oconto. It destroyed the community center and several downtown businesses, and damaged 40 homes. A Halloween party was being held at the community center when advanced warning allowed them to seek shelter in the basement, all 19 children and 4 adults came out without a scratch. In 2003, a new community center was constructed using funds from federal, state, county, local sources.
On August 21, 2017, Oconto was a viewing location under the path of a
total solar eclipse
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of the Earth, totally or partially. Such an alignment occurs during an eclipse season, approximately every six month ...
.
Total Eclipse 2017 in Oconto, Nebraska; Youtube.
/ref> Hundreds of people gathered in Oconto to view the eclipse, including tourists from other states.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the village has a total area of , all land.
Oconto is located at the junction of Nebraska state highways 21 and 40. It is south of the Pressey Wildlife Management area.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2010, there were 151 people, 68 households, and 40 families living in the village. The population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was . There were 82 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 96.0% White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
, 0.7% from other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 4.0% of the population.
There were 68 households, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...
living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.85.
The median age in the village was 44.3 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 20.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 51.0% male and 49.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2000, there were 141 people, 65 households, and 39 families living in the village. The population density was . There were 79 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
. Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 3.55% of the population.
There were 65 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...
living together, 4.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.0 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the village was $23,125, and the median income for a family was $34,167. Males had a median income of $24,583 versus $16,875 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the village was $13,377. There were 16.7% of families and 17.5% of the population living below the poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 21.1% of under eighteens and 12.0% of those over 64.
References
External links
Archive of community website
{{authority control
Villages in Custer County, Nebraska
Villages in Nebraska