Sarpy County, Nebraska

Infobox U.S. County
county = Sarpy County
state = Nebraska


map size = 250
founded = 1893
seat wl = Papillion
largest city wl = Bellevue
area_total_sq_mi =247
area_land_sq_mi =241
area_water_sq_mi =7
area percentage = 2.73%
census yr = 2000
pop = 122595
density_km2 =197
web = www.sarpy.com
|

Sarpy County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of 2000, the population was 122,595, making it the third most populated county in Nebraska. It is also one of the state's fastest-growing counties, with the 2005 census estimate placing its population at 139,371. Its county seat is PapillionGR|6. It is one of five Nebraska counties in the eight-county Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Statistical Area. [cite web|url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2006/b06-01.pdf|title=Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses|accessdate=2006-07-21|author=United States Office of Management and Budget|pages=5, 36.|format=PDF]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Sarpy County was represented by the prefix 59 (it had the fifty-ninth-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922). In 2002, the state discontinued the 1922 system in Sarpy, Douglas and Lancaster counties. This is likely due to their population size since Douglas and Sarpy county border each other and Lincoln is located in Lancaster County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 247 square miles (640 km²), of which, 241 square miles (623 km²) of it is land and 7 square miles (18 km²) of it (2.73%) is water. Sarpy County has the smallest area of any county in Nebraska.

Adjacent counties

*Douglas County, Nebraska - north
*Pottawattamie County, Iowa - northeast
*Mills County, Iowa - southeast
*Cass County, Nebraska - south
*Saunders County, Nebraska - west

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 122,595 people, 43,426 households, and 33,220 families residing in the county. The population density was 510 people per square mile (197/km²). There were 44,981 housing units at an average density of 187 per square mile (72/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.18% White, 4.36% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.90% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.86% from other races, and 2.20% from two or more races. 4.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 43,426 households out of which 43.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.50% were non-families. 18.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the county the population was spread out with 30.50% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 33.80% from 25 to 44, 19.70% from 45 to 64, and 6.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $53,804, and the median income for a family was $59,723. Males had a median income of $37,230 versus $26,816 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,985. About 3.10% of families and 4.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.30% of those under age 18 and 3.30% of those age 65 or over.

History

Explored in 1805 by Lewis and Clark and settled by fur traders, adventurers, farmers, and finally entrepreneurs, Sarpy County has served as the springboard for Nebraska's settlement and expansion.

Sarpy County is named after Colonel Peter Sarpy, an early fur trader at Fontenelle's Post located in the Bellevue area in the 1840s. Sarpy died in Plattsmouth, Nebraska Territory in 1865.

Despite the fact that Sarpy County contained the oldest settlement in the state, it was one of the last lands along the river to be recognized by law. Finally, on February 1, 1857, the land "where the cities meet the country" was officially created.

Law enforcement

The Sarpy County Sheriff's Department is responsible for enforcing the law within the unincorporated areas of the county [http://www.sarpy.com/pcommission/SarpyCompPlan082005.pdf] . By contract, the department is also responsible for enforcing the law within the city limits of Gretna and Springfield. The cities of Bellevue, La Vista, and Papillion have their own City Police Departments which are primarily responsible for law enforcement within their respective city limits. The Sheriff's Department has secondary responsibility for law enforcement within these three cities, providing essentials such as backup support.

The Sarpy County Law Enforcement Center, built in 1989, is located within the campus of the Sarpy County Courthouse in Papillion. It functions as a Sheriff's office and a jail facility. The Bellevue and LaVista City Police Departments also have their own holding cells. The county jail can hold 148 people, but is currently holding its capacity. To solve for this, the county is planning on expanding the jail to provide room for an additional 125 inmates. The Law Enforcement Center does not provide for detoxification services. Instead, detoxification detainees are transferred to St. Gabriel's Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center in Douglas County.

Cities and census-designated places

*Bellevue
*Chalco (census-designated place)
*Gretna
*La Vista
*Offutt Air Force Base (census-designated place)
*Papillion
*Springfield
*Richfield

Census Divisions

Sarpy County is divided into the following divisions, called precincts, except for the City of Bellevue.
*City of Bellevue
*Bellevue Second I
*Bellevue Second II
*Bellevue Second III
*Bellevue Second IV
*Fairview
*Forest City No. 1
*Forest City No. 2
*Gilmore I
*Gilmore II
*Highland I
*Highland II
*LaPlatte I
*LaPlatte II
*La Vista
*Melia-Forest City
*Papillion
*Papillion Second I
*Papillion Second II
*Platford-Springfield I
*Platford-Springfield II
*Richland I
*Richland II
*Richland III
*Richland IV
*Richland V
*Richland VI
*Richland VII
*Richland VIII
*Springfield

References

External links

* [http://www.sarpy.com/ Sarpy County Nebraska Website]