Tekamah, Nebraska

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Tekamah is a city in Burt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,892 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Burt County^GR6.

A claim was staked to establish Tekamah as a town in October 1854. On March 14, 1855, Tekamah became an incorporated city by an act of the first territorial legislature of Nebraska.

A peculiar method produced the town's name. According to the diary of Colonel B.R. Folsom, who worked with the original townsite company, Tekamah was literally chosen by the luck of the draw. When the decision had been reached to make the location a settlement, a problem arose in naming it. It was agreed that each of the exploration parties should write their favorite name on a slip of paper and drop it into a hat. The first name drawn out would then become the official name of the community. The first name drawn was "Tekamah."

A surveyor, William Byers, contributed the name. An Indian translation defines Tekamah as meaning "big cottonwoods," and this is appropriate due to the large cottonwood trees that grew along the banks of Tekamah creek and were scattered over the territory. Another translation found through research says the name "Teka-mah" comes from the Egyptian or Arabic language and means "bloody battlefield." Researchers claim that centuries ago many tribes of Indians collided with a pale-faced foe in the Tekamah valley. During the years following the settling of the area, documentation was found indicating that many exposed human bones were found. The translation in either language is appropriate as there is evidence enough for both. It is unclear which translation prompted Byers to suggest it as a contender. To this day Tekamah is a name that belongs exclusively to Burt County.

[edit] Geography

Tekamah is located at 41°46′41″N, 96°13′21″W (41.778008, -96.222546)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,892 people, 778 households, and 522 families residing in the city. The population density was 575.2/km² (1,492.2/mi²). There were 833 housing units at an average density of 253.2/km² (657.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.05% White, 0.11% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.05% Asian, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.

There were 778 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,708, and the median income for a family was $41,688. Males had a median income of $30,650 versus $21,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,836. About 5.7% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.