Most Rural Counties in Nebraska

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Most rural counties in Nebraska

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Nebraska using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

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#50. Burt County

- Rural area: 100.0% (492 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 492 square miles
--- #76 largest county in state, #2,115 nationwide

- Population density: 13.2 people / square mile (6,503 residents)
--- #59 lowest density county in state, #681 nationwide

#49. Pierce County

- Rural area: 100.0% (573 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 573 square miles
--- #52 largest county in state, #1,746 nationwide

- Population density: 12.4 people / square mile (7,132 residents)
--- #56 lowest density county in state, #652 nationwide

#48. Dixon County

- Rural area: 100.0% (476 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 476 square miles
--- #78 largest county in state, #2,166 nationwide

- Population density: 11.9 people / square mile (5,682 residents)
--- #55 lowest density county in state, #635 nationwide

#47. Polk County

- Rural area: 100.0% (438 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 438 square miles
--- #83 largest county in state, #2,310 nationwide

- Population density: 11.9 people / square mile (5,208 residents)
--- #54 lowest density county in state, #632 nationwide

#46. Cedar County

- Rural area: 100.0% (740 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 740 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #1,193 nationwide

- Population density: 11.5 people / square mile (8,483 residents)
--- #53 lowest density county in state, #619 nationwide

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#45. Howard County

- Rural area: 100.0% (569 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 569 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #1,787 nationwide

- Population density: 11.3 people / square mile (6,428 residents)
--- #52 lowest density county in state, #612 nationwide

#44. Clay County

- Rural area: 100.0% (572 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 572 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #1,756 nationwide

- Population density: 10.8 people / square mile (6,193 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #603 nationwide

#43. Fillmore County

- Rural area: 100.0% (575 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 575 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #1,725 nationwide

- Population density: 9.6 people / square mile (5,542 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #563 nationwide

#42. Thayer County

- Rural area: 100.0% (574 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 574 square miles
--- #51 largest county in state, #1,742 nationwide

- Population density: 8.7 people / square mile (5,000 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #527 nationwide

#41. Nance County

- Rural area: 100.0% (442 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 442 square miles
--- #81 largest county in state, #2,301 nationwide

- Population density: 8.0 people / square mile (3,525 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #490 nationwide

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#40. Boone County

- Rural area: 100.0% (687 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 687 square miles
--- #41 largest county in state, #1,366 nationwide

- Population density: 7.6 people / square mile (5,228 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #477 nationwide

#39. Knox County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,108 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,108 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #570 nationwide

- Population density: 7.6 people / square mile (8,400 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #475 nationwide

#38. Antelope County

- Rural area: 100.0% (857 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 857 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #970 nationwide

- Population density: 7.4 people / square mile (6,315 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #466 nationwide

#37. Nuckolls County

- Rural area: 100.0% (575 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 575 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #1,729 nationwide

- Population density: 7.3 people / square mile (4,204 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #463 nationwide

#36. Valley County

- Rural area: 100.0% (568 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 568 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #1,799 nationwide

- Population density: 7.2 people / square mile (4,100 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #460 nationwide

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#35. Furnas County

- Rural area: 100.0% (719 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 719 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #1,249 nationwide

- Population density: 6.6 people / square mile (4,712 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #435 nationwide

#34. Pawnee County

- Rural area: 100.0% (431 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 431 square miles
--- #84 largest county in state, #2,357 nationwide

- Population density: 6.1 people / square mile (2,640 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #417 nationwide

#33. Harlan County

- Rural area: 100.0% (553 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 553 square miles
--- #68 largest county in state, #1,883 nationwide

- Population density: 6.1 people / square mile (3,380 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #414 nationwide

#32. Webster County

- Rural area: 100.0% (575 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 575 square miles
--- #49 largest county in state, #1,733 nationwide

- Population density: 6.1 people / square mile (3,497 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #412 nationwide

#31. Sherman County

- Rural area: 100.0% (566 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 566 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #1,812 nationwide

- Population density: 5.3 people / square mile (3,015 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #387 nationwide

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#30. Franklin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (576 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 576 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #1,721 nationwide

- Population density: 5.2 people / square mile (2,970 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #375 nationwide

#29. Gosper County

- Rural area: 100.0% (458 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 458 square miles
--- #79 largest county in state, #2,240 nationwide

- Population density: 4.4 people / square mile (2,001 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #343 nationwide

#28. Chase County

- Rural area: 100.0% (894 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 894 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #877 nationwide

- Population density: 4.1 people / square mile (3,707 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #321 nationwide

#27. Greeley County

- Rural area: 100.0% (570 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 570 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #1,783 nationwide

- Population density: 4.1 people / square mile (2,361 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #320 nationwide

#26. Deuel County

- Rural area: 100.0% (440 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 440 square miles
--- #82 largest county in state, #2,306 nationwide

- Population density: 4.0 people / square mile (1,770 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #314 nationwide

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#25. Hitchcock County

- Rural area: 100.0% (710 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 710 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #1,292 nationwide

- Population density: 3.9 people / square mile (2,788 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #305 nationwide

#24. Kimball County

- Rural area: 100.0% (952 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 952 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #737 nationwide

- Population density: 3.8 people / square mile (3,576 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #292 nationwide

#23. Garfield County

- Rural area: 100.0% (570 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 570 square miles
--- #61 largest county in state, #1,784 nationwide

- Population density: 3.7 people / square mile (2,081 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #284 nationwide

#22. Boyd County

- Rural area: 100.0% (540 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 540 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #1,936 nationwide

- Population density: 3.5 people / square mile (1,882 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #271 nationwide

#21. Morrill County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,424 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,424 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #423 nationwide

- Population density: 3.3 people / square mile (4,711 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #262 nationwide

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#20. Perkins County

- Rural area: 100.0% (883 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 883 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #905 nationwide

- Population density: 3.3 people / square mile (2,889 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #259 nationwide

#19. Frontier County

- Rural area: 100.0% (975 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 975 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #715 nationwide

- Population density: 2.7 people / square mile (2,636 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #217 nationwide

#18. Brown County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,221 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,221 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #502 nationwide

- Population density: 2.4 people / square mile (2,887 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #188 nationwide

#17. Sheridan County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,441 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,441 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #224 nationwide

- Population density: 2.1 people / square mile (5,215 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #167 nationwide

#16. Dundy County

- Rural area: 100.0% (920 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 920 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #798 nationwide

- Population density: 2.1 people / square mile (1,928 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #162 nationwide

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#15. Logan County

- Rural area: 100.0% (571 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 571 square miles
--- #57 largest county in state, #1,772 nationwide

- Population density: 1.6 people / square mile (896 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #116 nationwide

#14. Rock County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,008 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,008 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #671 nationwide

- Population density: 1.4 people / square mile (1,430 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #103 nationwide

#13. Hayes County

- Rural area: 100.0% (713 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 713 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #1,282 nationwide

- Population density: 1.2 people / square mile (889 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #93 nationwide

#12. Loup County

- Rural area: 100.0% (568 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 568 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #1,798 nationwide

- Population density: 1.2 people / square mile (690 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #91 nationwide

#13. Wheeler County

- Rural area: 100.0% (575 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 575 square miles
--- #47 largest county in state, #1,727 nationwide

- Population density: 1.2 people / square mile (689 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #89 nationwide

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#10. Keya Paha County

- Rural area: 100.0% (773 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 773 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #1,122 nationwide

- Population density: 1.1 people / square mile (875 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #83 nationwide

#9. Garden County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,704 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,704 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #353 nationwide

- Population density: 1.1 people / square mile (1,916 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #82 nationwide

#8. Hooker County

- Rural area: 100.0% (721 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 721 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #1,240 nationwide

- Population density: 1.0 people / square mile (741 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #72 nationwide

#7. Grant County

- Rural area: 100.0% (776 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 776 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #1,118 nationwide

- Population density: 0.9 people / square mile (691 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #58 nationwide

#6. Banner County

- Rural area: 100.0% (746 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 746 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #1,183 nationwide

- Population density: 0.9 people / square mile (645 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #57 nationwide

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#5. Thomas County

- Rural area: 100.0% (713 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 713 square miles
--- #37 largest county in state, #1,281 nationwide

- Population density: 0.8 people / square mile (586 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #50 nationwide

#4. Blaine County

- Rural area: 100.0% (711 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 711 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #1,290 nationwide

- Population density: 0.7 people / square mile (467 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #37 nationwide

#3. Sioux County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,067 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,067 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #276 nationwide

- Population density: 0.6 people / square mile (1,298 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #33 nationwide

#2. Arthur County

- Rural area: 100.0% (715 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 715 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #1,272 nationwide

- Population density: 0.6 people / square mile (439 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #32 nationwide

#1. McPherson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (859 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 859 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #967 nationwide

- Population density: 0.5 people / square mile (420 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #27 nationwide

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