York County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,125, and was estimated to be 14,564 in 2025. The county seat and the largest city is York.
In the Nebraska license plate system, York County was represented by the prefix "17" (as it had the 17th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).
History York County was created on March 16, 1855 and organized in 1870. Sources differ on the origin of the county's name: some state it was named after York in England, while others maintain it was named by early settlers from York County, Pennsylvania.Perkey, Elton A. Perkey's Nebraska Place Names. Revised edition, 2003. Nebraska State Historical Society. p. 191.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.58%) is water. It is the 54th-largest county in Nebraska by total area.
The terrain of York County consists of rolling prairie, mostly devoted to agriculture. The ground slopes toward the Platte River, to the northwest.
Major highways Interstate 80 U.S. Highway 34 U.S. Highway 81 Nebraska Highway 69
Adjacent counties Butler County – northeast Seward County – east Saline County – southeast Fillmore County – south Clay County – southwest Hamilton County – west Polk County – north
Protected areas Kirkpatrick Basin North State Wildlife AreaKirkpatrick Basin North State Wildlife Management Area, York NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019) Kirkpatrick Basin South State Wildlife AreaKirkpatrick Basin South State Wildlife Management Area, Henderson NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019) Renquist Basin State Wildlife Management AreaRenquist Basin State Wildlife Management Area, Bradshaw NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019) Waco Waterfowl Production AreaWaco Waterfowl Production Area, Waco NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, there were 14,125 people. The median age was 40.3 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.8 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 90.5% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.8% from some other race, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.9% of the population.
56.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 43.6% lived in rural areas.
There were 5,663 households in the county, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 6,320 housing units, of which 10.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.2% were owner-occupied and 29.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.4%.
2000 census As of the 2000 census, there were 14,598 people, 5,722 households, and 3,931 families in the county. The population density was . There were 6,172 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 96.78% White, 0.96% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.0% were of German, 8.2% Irish, 7.2% English and 5.1% Swedish ancestry.
There were 5,722 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.96.
The county population contained 25.30% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,093, and the median income for a family was $44,741. Males had a median income of $30,658 versus $19,874 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,670. About 6.00% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.
Communities Cities Henderson York (county seat)
Villages Benedict Bradshaw Gresham Lushton McCool Junction Thayer Waco
Former Communities Charlestown Houston
Government The County Board of Commissioners is the executive and legislative authority of the county."Board of Commissioners". York County, Nebraska.
Politics York County voters have traditionally been strong Republicans. In only one national election since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024). Political Party Number of registered voters (February 1, 2026) Percent Republican 6,258 67.61% Independent 1,562 16.88% Democratic 1,286 13.89% Libertarian 100 1.08% Legal Marijuana Now 50 0.54%Total 9,256 100.00%
Education School districts include: - Text list Centennial Public Schools Cross County Community Schools Exeter-Milligan Public Schools Heartland Community Schools High Plains Community Schools Hampton Public Schools McCool Junction Public Schools Sutton Public Schools York Public Schools
See also National Register of Historic Places listings in York County, Nebraska York News-Times
References