Hay Springs, Nebraska

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

Hay Springs is a village in Sheridan County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 652 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Traditions/Festivals
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Hay Springs is located at 42°40′59″N, 102°41′22″W (42.683099, -102.689469)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 652 people, 283 households, and 181 families residing in the village. The population density was 662.5/km² (1,715.2/mi²). There were 334 housing units at an average density of 339.4/km² (878.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 90.18% White, 5.67% Native American, 1.53% from other races, and 2.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 283 households out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the village the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $30,078, and the median income for a family was $34,318. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $21,136 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,376. About 10.3% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Local folklore has it that there are only five last names in Hay Springs. Research cites that of 283 households, there are at least twelve different last names.

[edit] Traditions/Festivals

Hay Springs celebrates its heritage each year with its "Friendly Festival." The locals, mostly of Swedish origin, begin the day by standing along Highway 20 to practice smiling at strangers. Later, they retire to the local church hall to share coffee and casseroles, comparing spreadsheets to see how many of their ancestors were related.