Sprague is a village in Lancaster 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 sout ...

, United States. It is part of the

Lincoln, Nebraska Lincoln is the capital city of the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Lancaster County. The city covers with a population of 292,657 in 2021. It is the second-most populous city in Nebraska and the 73rd-largest in the United ...

Metropolitan Statistical Area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally incorporated as a city or tow ...

. The population was 142 at the 2010 census.

History

In 1865, a settlement called Centerville established a post office in the area, but never grew into a sustainable community. Sprague was established in 1888 when the

Missouri Pacific Railroad The Missouri Pacific Railroad , commonly abbreviated as MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers. In 1967, the railroad ...

was extended to that point and was named after a local Civil War veteran, William Sprague, and his wife, Amy. In 1894, a station named "Martell" was established and platted by the Rock Island Railroad nearby, but the village was never incorporated. Sprague was incorporated in 1913, when it was no longer required there be a population of at least 200 people. In 1912 and again in 1927, fires broke out and burned down much of the business sector of Sprague. In 1963, the Bluestem Conservation Dam was built in the area, creating a 325-acre lake. A conservation area was created around Bluestem Lake, creating 742 acres of recreational area. The lake increased numbers of retirement communities and recreational homes in the area, though it remains primarily rural and agricultural.

Geography

Sprague is located at (40.625415, -96.745478). 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 th ...

, the village has a total area of , all land.

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 inc ...

of 2010, there were 142 people, 61 households, and 41 families residing 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 RosenberPopu ...

was . There were 63 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 97.2%

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 ...

, 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 2.1% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, 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 viceroyalties for ...

or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population. There were 61 households, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% 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 ...

living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.68. The median age in the village was 39 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 30.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 146 people, 59 households, and 42 families residing in the village. The

was 1,164.9 people per square mile (433.6/km). There were 60 housing units at an average density of 478.7 per square mile (178.2/km). The racial makeup of the village was 96.58%

, 0.68% Native American, 1.37% from

, and 1.37% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 1.37% of the population. There were 59 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were

living together, 1.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.86. In the village, the population was spread out, with 21.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males. As of 2000 the median income for a household in the village was $40,000, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $22,000 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 $20,203. There were none of the families and 2.8% 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 ...

, including no under eighteens and 8.3% of those over 64.

References

{{authority control Villages in Lancaster County, Nebraska Villages in Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska metropolitan area