Crete is the most populous city of Saline County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 7,099 at the 2020 census. The city is home to Doane University.
Crete, Nebraska | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Crete: Main Avenue, looking south from 13th Street, May 2013 | |
 Location of Crete within Saline County and Nebraska | |
| Coordinates: 40°37′29″N 96°57′14″W / 40.62472°N 96.95389°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Saline |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | David Bauer |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.85 sq mi (9.97 km2) |
| • Land | 3.80 sq mi (9.84 km2) |
| • Water | 0.050 sq mi (0.13 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,352 ft (412 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,099 |
| • Density | 1,869.2/sq mi (721.72/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 68333 |
| Area code | 402 |
| FIPS code | 31-11370 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393673[2] |
| Website | crete.ne.gov |
History
editThe railroad reached Crete in 1870, attracting new settlers. In 1871, two competing settlements merged to form a new town, which was named after Crete, Illinois, the former hometown of an early settler.[3] The name was also chosen to conform to the alphabetical stops on the new Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad line traveling westward from Lincoln: Berks, Crete, Dorchester, Exeter, Fairmont, Grafton, Harvard, Inland, Junianta, Kenesaw, Lowell, Minden etc. Some towns, such as Friend and Sutton, already existed and were later incorporated into alphabetical naming pattern. A town every 9 miles on the railroad, as a steam engine required regular water stops.[4] Crete was once a contender for county seat.[5]
On February 18, 1969, Crete was the site of a railroad accident that released a fog of anhydrous ammonia fumes from a ruptured railroad tank car, killing five residents and seriously injuring 11 others in their homes.[6] Another three people, hoboes who had been riding on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad freight train as it traveled from Denver to Chicago, died of injuries received in the train derailment.
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.97 square miles (7.69 km2), of which 2.92 square miles (7.56 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water.[7]
Climate
edit| Climate data for Crete 4ESE, Nebraska (1991–2020, extremes 1893–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 73 (23) |
84 (29) |
90 (32) |
96 (36) |
104 (40) |
108 (42) |
114 (46) |
114 (46) |
106 (41) |
98 (37) |
86 (30) |
73 (23) |
114 (46) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 58.4 (14.7) |
64.3 (17.9) |
76.6 (24.8) |
85.2 (29.6) |
90.6 (32.6) |
94.4 (34.7) |
97.2 (36.2) |
96.6 (35.9) |
93.1 (33.9) |
86.0 (30.0) |
71.8 (22.1) |
60.9 (16.1) |
98.9 (37.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 34.4 (1.3) |
39.6 (4.2) |
51.7 (10.9) |
63.0 (17.2) |
72.9 (22.7) |
82.5 (28.1) |
86.5 (30.3) |
84.6 (29.2) |
78.4 (25.8) |
66.0 (18.9) |
50.9 (10.5) |
37.9 (3.3) |
62.4 (16.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 24.0 (−4.4) |
28.9 (−1.7) |
39.7 (4.3) |
51.1 (10.6) |
61.6 (16.4) |
71.6 (22.0) |
75.7 (24.3) |
73.7 (23.2) |
66.2 (19.0) |
53.6 (12.0) |
39.6 (4.2) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
51.1 (10.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 13.6 (−10.2) |
18.1 (−7.7) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
39.1 (3.9) |
50.3 (10.2) |
60.7 (15.9) |
64.9 (18.3) |
62.8 (17.1) |
54.1 (12.3) |
41.2 (5.1) |
28.2 (−2.1) |
17.8 (−7.9) |
39.9 (4.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −6.5 (−21.4) |
−1.3 (−18.5) |
8.2 (−13.2) |
22.9 (−5.1) |
36.2 (2.3) |
49.1 (9.5) |
55.1 (12.8) |
53.2 (11.8) |
38.7 (3.7) |
23.9 (−4.5) |
12.0 (−11.1) |
−1.0 (−18.3) |
−10.5 (−23.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −27 (−33) |
−27 (−33) |
−16 (−27) |
6 (−14) |
23 (−5) |
37 (3) |
41 (5) |
41 (5) |
23 (−5) |
−4 (−20) |
−7 (−22) |
−25 (−32) |
−27 (−33) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.69 (18) |
0.81 (21) |
1.45 (37) |
2.58 (66) |
5.65 (144) |
4.86 (123) |
3.84 (98) |
3.35 (85) |
3.11 (79) |
2.32 (59) |
1.22 (31) |
1.14 (29) |
31.02 (788) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 6.3 (16) |
6.6 (17) |
3.2 (8.1) |
1.3 (3.3) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.0 (2.5) |
2.0 (5.1) |
4.9 (12) |
25.3 (64) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 4.7 | 4.7 | 6.4 | 8.7 | 12.1 | 10.3 | 9.9 | 9.8 | 8.2 | 7.4 | 4.9 | 5.3 | 92.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 12.8 |
| Source: NOAA[8][9] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 1,870 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,310 | 23.5% | |
| 1900 | 2,199 | −4.8% | |
| 1910 | 2,404 | 9.3% | |
| 1920 | 2,445 | 1.7% | |
| 1930 | 2,865 | 17.2% | |
| 1940 | 3,038 | 6.0% | |
| 1950 | 3,692 | 21.5% | |
| 1960 | 3,546 | −4.0% | |
| 1970 | 4,444 | 25.3% | |
| 1980 | 4,872 | 9.6% | |
| 1990 | 4,841 | −0.6% | |
| 2000 | 6,028 | 24.5% | |
| 2010 | 6,960 | 15.5% | |
| 2020 | 7,099 | 2.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 2012 Estimate[11] | |||
2020 census
editAs of the 2020 census, Crete had a population of 7,099. The median age was 30.5 years. 29.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.4 males age 18 and over. The population density was 1,868.2 per square mile (721.3/km2).[12][13]
97.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 2.1% lived in rural areas.[14]
There were 2,278 households in Crete and 1,590 families. Of all households, 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 47.6% were married-couple households, 20.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.3.[12]
There were 2,455 housing units, of which 7.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.5%.[12]
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 3,475 | 49.0% |
| Black or African American | 90 | 1.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 173 | 2.4% |
| Asian | 233 | 3.3% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 45 | 0.6% |
| Some other race | 2,011 | 28.3% |
| Two or more races | 1,072 | 15.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 2,995 | 42.0% |
Income and poverty
editThe 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[15] estimates show that the median household income was $47,022 (with a margin of error of +/- $1,904) and the median family income $51,500 (+/- $9,621). Males had a median income of $30,729 (+/- $7,021) versus $17,788 (+/- $7,461) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $25,303 (+/- $6,532). Approximately, 17.2% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under the age of 18 and 11.7% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
editAt the 2010 census there were 6,960 people, 2,199 households, and 1,447 families living in the city. The population density was 2,383.6 inhabitants per square mile (920.3/km2). There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of 818.2 units per square mile (315.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.6% White, 1.0% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 23.1% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 35.7%.[16]
Of the 2,199 households 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.2% were non-families. 27.2% of households were one person and 12.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.41.
The median age was 28.5 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 19.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 20% were from 45 to 64; and 10.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
2000 census
editAt the 2000 census, there were 6,028 people, 2,078 households, and 1,317 families living in the city. The population density was 2,541.9 inhabitants per square mile (981.4/km2). There were 2,188 housing units at an average density of 922.7 units per square mile (356.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.48% White, 0.76% African American, 0.73% Native American, 3.27% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.90% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 13.50% of the population.
Of the 2,078 households 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 29.2% of households were one person and 15.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.13.
The age distribution was 23.8% under the age of 18, 20.1% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median household income was $34,098, and the median family income was $43,295. Males had a median income of $30,778 versus $25,459 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,936. About 7.8% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
editCrete uses a city council with six council persons.
Education
editTertiary education:
Crete Public Schools is the local K-12 school district.[17]
Notable people
edit- Dana Altman, college basketball coach
- Miles Breuer, science fiction author
- John William Chapman, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
- Teri Steer, Olympic shot putter
- Harold Montelle Stephens, United States federal judge
See also
edit
References
edit- ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Crete, Nebraska
- ↑ "Crete, Saline". Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. University of Nebraska. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- ↑ "Saronville, Clay County". Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. University of Nebraska. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
- ↑ Burr, George L. (1921). History of Hamilton and Clay Counties, Nebraska, Volume 1. S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 135.
- ↑ "Eight Killed As Ammonia Gas Escapes" — Tank Car Splits, Explodes Near Nebraska Town", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 19, 1969, p2
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
- ↑ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ↑ "Station: Crete 4ESE, NE". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Archived from the original on June 2, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
- ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Saline County, NE" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2024. - Text list
External links
edit
Media related to Crete, Nebraska at Wikimedia Commons