Gretna, Nebraska

Gretna is a city in Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Omaha metropolitan area and considered a suburban bedroom community for Omaha. The city's population was 5,083 at the 2020 census and estimated to be 9,071 in 2022.

History

Gretna started shortly after the Burlington Railroad built a short line between Omaha and Ashland in the summer of 1886. Advent of the village of Gretna on this new laid rail line was the cue for the exit of the nearby trading post of Forest City, which had existed since 1856. In its day, Forest City, located 2.5 miles southwest of where Gretna now stands, was a flourishing and busy place, but it was doomed by the railroad which passed it by. The only markers that exist today to show the site of old Forest City is the cemetery (Holy Sepulchre) which is located a little to the east of what was the center of activity in the settlement and the 1886 homestead originally owned by the Schnack Family and located on Schnack Acres at 234th St. Names that were prominent in the beginnings of Forest City were the families of Adolph Schnack, William Langdon, John Thomas and John Conner.

The Lincoln Land Company, recognizing the potential of the site, surveyed and platted the town site of Gretna in 1887. The village was incorporated by July 10, 1889. The name suggests Scotland's Gretna Green, the ancestral county of some of the earliest settlers.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 5,083 people, 2,020 households, and 1,293 families in Gretna. The population density was 743.1 per square mile (287.0/km). There were 2,103 housing units at an average density of 307.5 per square mile (118.7/km). The racial makeup was 92.5% (4,702) white, 0.53% (27) black or African-American, 0.26% (13) Native American, 0.47% (24) Asian, 0.06% (3) Pacific Islander, 1.02% (52) from other races, and 5.15% (262) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.0% (268) of the population.

Of the 2,020 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18; 47.0% were married couples living together; 33.2% had a female householder with no husband present. 31.5% of households consisted of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.2.

25.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 83.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 87.0 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $69,592 (with a margin of error of +/- $21,688) and the median family income $102,646 (+/- $14,567). Males had a median income of $55,159 (+/- $8,524) versus $39,627 (+/- $3,278) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $45,473 (+/- $7,973). Approximately, 6.7% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under the age of 18 and 12.5% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 4,441 people, 1,594 households, and 1,139 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,671 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 1,594 households, of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.5% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.29.

The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 31.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.7% were from 25 to 44; 21.4% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

Education

The city's education system dates back to 1898 with the construction of the first school building. The schoolhouse underwent renovations in 1908, and in 1936, when a gym was added. The Gretna Public Schools District was majorly consolidated in 1958 when it reached its present size of 70 square miles. Gretna Public Schools consists of seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. Schools include:

* Aspen Creek Elementary
* Aspen Creek Middle School
* Falling Waters Elementary
* Gretna East High School
* Gretna Elementary
* Gretna High School
* Gretna Middle School
* Harvest Hills Elementary
* Palisades Elementary
* Squire John Thomas Elementary
* Whitetail Elementary

Gretna Public Schools has passed several bond issues to build new facilities. Gretna's school bonds have become the third-highest bond levy tax burden for property owners in the state. Gretna has a bond levy of 0.33456, with only Bennington and Elkhorn ranking higher, each with a bond levy of .34.https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/revenue.nebraska.gov/files/doc/pad/research/taxsubdiv_allcnty_compvtr_2018-2019.pdf

Notable people

* Andy Janovich, professional football player

See also

* List of municipalities in Nebraska
* Nebraska Crossing Outlets

References

External links

City of Gretna – Official Website

Gretna Chamber of Commerce

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Cities in Nebraska
Cities in Sarpy County, Nebraska
Populated places established in 1886
1886 establishments in Nebraska