82 Interesting Facts About Nebraska

Last updated on December 12th, 2023

61. The Great Bison Escape in 2020

In 2020, over 100 Bison escaped from a feedlot in Phelps County, Southern Nebraska. Luckily, they were all recaptured after spreading over 140 square miles.

62. A small police station

One of the smallest police stations in the world is in Friend, Nebraska. Officers have used it for decades as the police HQ of Friend.

63. Seventy residents in the nation’s smallest city hall

The nation’s smallest city hall is in Maskell, Nebraska. It is a 10 foot by 12 foot structure. This village is home to less than 400 people. Strangely, it has existed since the 1930s, when the population was about 70 residents.

White tailed Deer fawn leaping in field
White tailed Deer fawn leaping in field.

64. Official state animal

In 1981, the White-Tailed Deer became the official state animal of Nebraska. The agile and beautiful animal can run up to forty miles per hour.

65. The only incorporated place in America with a population of one

Did you know that there is only one person living in Monowi, Nebraska? This makes the town the only incorporated place in America with a population of one. Elsie Eiler, being the sole resident of the place, is the mayor, the librarian, the bartender; and she even grants her own alcohol license. She is more than 85 years old. She has been running the Monowi Tavern, the place where she serves her visitors with reasonably priced and tasty food. The town has an area of 0.54 square kilometers.

66. “Nebraska’s Charming Small Towns: Where Community Thrives”

What is interesting to know is that about 90 percent of the towns in Nebraska have a population of less than 3,000 people.

67. “Nebraska: A Budget-Friendly Haven in the Heartland”

Living in Nebraska will be much more affordable than in the rest of the US. The cost of living in this state is nine percent lower than the national average.

68. The haunted Theater

Unexplained shadows have been seen in the Alliance Theatre since its use in the 1930s. It is considered one of the most haunted places in Nebraska.

69. A museum of haunted objects

The Museum of Shadows in Omaha, Nebraska, has more than 3000 haunted objects, and they are verified. That makes it the most extensive collection of haunted artifacts worldwide.

70. “Red Cloud, Nebraska: A Small Town with a Big Reputation”

Red Cloud, a small town in Nebraska, is said to be the most famous little town in the US. More than 10,000 travelers visit the opera house and historic sites every year.

71. The Weeping Water’s stream

An old legend tells that the Weeping Water’s stream is made up of tears from children and women. It was from those who lost loved ones during a fierce battle.

72. A test before marriage

In Omaha, there is strict legislation that even extends to the entire state of Nebraska, which proscribes anyone tested positive for gonorrhea from marrying. This requires tests being carried to establish the condition of both marrying parties before they are married.

73. Nature’s hot spot

Lincoln is positioned perfectly on the coast of Central Oregon. To its West, it neighbors the Pacific Ocean and the East neighbors both the Coast Range and the Devil’s Lake. This makes the place ideal for all nature lovers.

Surfer

74. Are you a surfer?

Lincoln is the ideal destination for lovers of surfing and kiting. In summer, the location experiences winds from the Northwest and in winter it experiences winds from Southwest direction, which makes it perfect for flying kites or surfboarding.

75. Influx of people

Lincoln City has a shifting population all year round. It records all-time-highs in population during the summer times when people come in massively from across the country and the entire globe.

76. A Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Bird watchers will find Grand Island a feast to visit. That is because more than 500 thousand Sandhill cranes fly through here yearly.

77. The baseball tournament

The College World Series has been held in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1950. This baseball tournament is still a great occasion every June in Omaha.

2016 Olympics Swimming trials
2016 Olympics Swimming trials. Image credit – jpellgen (@1105_jp)

78. U.S. Olympics swim trials

Omaha has played host to the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials for three consecutive trials.

79. Cowboy Hall of Fame

Ainsworth, Nebraska, has a Cowboy Hall of Fame in honor of the old Western lifestyle. Since the late 1800s, cow rangers have been drawn to this area.

80. “Heartfelt Tradition: Valentine, Nebraska’s Valentine’s Day Celebration”

On Valentine’s Day every year, thousands of Valentine’s cards are sent to Valentine, Nebraska. The Post Office will stamp it with the town name and forward it.

81. Radioactive hornets

A popular legend in Nebraska is that there are radioactive hornets to be found in this state. It all started after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

82. The ‘Kiss Before Graduation’

Another urban legend of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln could crumble. The Columns of the campus would crumble if a female student graduated without being kissed.

Food facts 

The delicious and world-famous chocolate Meltaways is produced in Nebraska. Baker’s Candies has been a Nebraska original product for many decades.

Nebraska BBQ ribs are a must if you visit this US state. Nebraskans know how to make it perfect, which comes in various flavors.

If you are looking for something cheesy, Nebraska is known for its Cheese Frenchees. It’s a cheese sandwich dipped in batter and deep-fried.

Another unique snack from Nebraska is this unusual dish known as Rocky Mountain Oysters. Bull calf or sheep testicles are coated in flour, pepper, salt, and fried.

The classic Tin Roof Sundae is meant for those with a sweet tooth. It comes from Potter, Nebraska, and has been a favorite sweet snack since the 1930s.

An old-fashioned dessert, the Raisin Pie from Nebraska has been around for many years. The traditional filling is raisins, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and other spices.

Butter Brickle ice cream has been a delicious dessert in Omaha since the 1930s. It combines vanilla, salted caramel ice cream, and toffee.

About Life in Nebraska

1. Nebraska is a Midwestern state with a large agricultural sector. They are among the largest producers of pork, beef, corn, wheat, and soybeans. The AppleJack Festival is celebrated during harvest season with a carnival, car show, a parade, and an impressive array of apple-based food.

Sandhill Cranes in flight at sunrise along the Platte River, Kearney, Nebraska. Nebraska fact file
Sandhill Cranes in flight at sunrise along the Platte River, Kearney, Nebraska. Image credit – Diana Robinson

2. The Nebraska Crane Festival puts a spotlight on the sandhill crane migration in Kearney. Over a million of these birds descend for food before heading to their nesting grounds. Visitors can take guided trips and watch the cranes along the banks of the Platte River.

3. Nebraska is mostly considered as a Red State with voters leaning towards conservative politicians. Republicans have won here in the presidential election since 1940 except in 1964 when the Democrat Lyndon Johnson carried the state. Despite this, Nebraska has a progressive streak with the 1980 protest of apartheid and the 1975 law against marital rape.

4. Nebraska has several professional sports teams in soccer, football, and baseball. Seven of its schools play in the NCAA. Omaha has been the host of the College World Series since 1950 with the first games held at the Rosenblatt Stadium until 2010. Its new home is the TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.

5. Every year, residents celebrate the Nebraska State Fair at the Grand Island. This is considered as the largest festival in the state so it draws a lot of people who are entertained by some of the biggest musical acts. It lasts a week and a half with endless activities for the family.

About State Flag of Nebraska

Flag of Nebraska.svg
Flag of Nebraska. Image in Public Domain.

1. History

Nebraska was the last of the contiguous 48 U.S. states to adopt a state flag. In 1925, Nebraska’s legislature passed a bill that commissioned the flag’s design. The bill stipulated that the flag should have the state seal in silver and gold with a blue background.

The flag was officially designated in 1963. A 2001 survey indicated that Nebraska’s flag was the second-worst in North America. That has led to multiple bills being introduced in an attempt to change the design; all the bills have failed.  The most recent bill was introduced in 2017.

2. Who Designed It

Mrs. B.C. Miller played a central role in the design of Nebraska’s state flag. The state seal appearing on the flag was conceived by Isaac Wiles, it symbolizes the Missouri River.

3. How & When It Came Into Being

To know about Nebraska flag, it is important to understand how it came into being. The flag law was passed in 1925 and it indicated that the flag is a state banner. Mrs. B.C. Miller, the writer of “The Flag Song of Nebraska,” promoted the flag design. In 1963, the legislature made the flag official.

4. Flag Colors

The Nebraskan flag has an azure blue background. The state seal is rendered in gold and silver. The Missouri River and the mountains around it are represented in silver. The texts appearing on the seal are written in white while the motto, “Equality before the Law” is featured on a gold banner.

5. The Meaning of the Flag

Nebraska’s flag has a seal like other state flags. This seal has a depiction of different elements including the Missouri River, a cabin, and a blacksmith with his anvil. The Missouri River is the lifeline of the state. A cabin symbolizes settlers and the importance of agriculture in the state. The blacksmith symbolizes Missouri’s history of blacksmithing.

Nebraska – quick facts and state symbols

State AbbreviationNE
State CapitalLincoln
Largest CityOmaha
State SizeTotal (Land + Water): 77,354 sq miles; Land Only: 76,872 sq miles
Population
1,978,379
(Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau)
StatehoodMarch 1, 1867
State rank by population37th
State rank by date of formation37th
State rank by area16th
Number of Counties93
DemonymNebraskan
Bordering StatesColorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Wyoming
Official LanguageEnglish
Highest PointPanorama Point
5,424 ft (1654 m)
Lowest pointMissouri River at Kansas border 840 ft (256 m)
Length 430 miles (690 km)
Width210 miles (340 km)
GovernorJim Pillen (R)
Lieutenant GovernorJoe Kelly (R)
Electoral Votes5
State MottoEquality before the law
State NicknameCornhusker State; Beef State
% Water0.7
Noble prize WinnersGeorge Beadle (Physiology or Medicine, 1958)
Lawrence R. Klein (Economic Sciences, 1980)
Val Fitch (Physics, 1980)
Famous peopleMick Tingelhoff (Pro Football player)
Wade Boggs (Baseball player)
Hilary Swank
(Actress)
U.S. President Born in Nebraska1. Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr.
State Flag

Flag of Nebraska

State coat of arms

Nebraska state coat of arms (illustrated, 1876).jpg

State BirdWestern meadowlark
State FishChannel Catfish
State FlowerGoldenrod
State FossilMammoth
State GrassLittle bluestem
State GemstoneBlue agate
State InsectHoneybee
State MammalWhite-tailed Deer
State RockPrairie Agate
State TreeCottonwood
Longitude95° 19' W to 104° 03' W
Latitude40° N to 43° N
Time ZoneCentral Time Zone, Mountain Time Zone
Websitewww.nebraska.gov
Area Codes308, 402
Table last updatedDecember 21, 2023