Perkins County shows population decrease of 1.4 percent

In the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Perkins County joins 16 other counties in Nebraska showing a population decrease of less than 2.5 percent. 

Coming in at No. 69 in population rank with 2,929, Perkins County showed a loss of just 41 (1.4 percent) from 2010-2018. While PC saw a decrease over the eight-year span, an increase of 35 (1.2 percent), was shown from 2017-18.

Other than neighboring Chase County and nearby Arthur County which showed population increases, all nearby counties showed decreases of 2.5 percent or more. 

Chase County ranked No. 61 in population, increasing 0.3 percent by 11. While Arthur County came in last in population rank with 465, they increased by five for a 1.1 percent increase. Chase and Arthur were two of 18 counties to see an increase less than 5 percent. Only nine counties in the state saw an increase of 5 percent or more.  

Neighbor Keith County checked in at 8,021 for No. 36. They saw a decrease of 347 (4.1 percent). They, along with Lincoln County, were among 17 counties to see a decrease of 2.5 to 4.9 percent. Lincoln County holds the No. 9 position in the state with 35,185. 

Dundy, Hayes, Deuel and Garden were among the counties that took the biggest hits in the area, joining 28 counties with a decrease in 5 percent or more. Dundy County saw the biggest decrease in the state with 11.9 percent.  

With Nebraska’s third largest population at 184,459, Sarpy County saw the largest increase with 16.1 percent. Douglas County holds the No. 1 rank for population at 566,880. They saw an increase of 9.6 percent. 

Nebraska’s total population is 1,929,268. The state as a whole saw an increase of 102,963, or 5.6 percent.