Background: Downtown Lincoln Nebraska Skyline
near 1st and Cornhusker Hwy
Author Aleiox321

Living in Nebraska

The deciduous forests in Nebraska are mostly oak and hickory; conifer forests are dominated by western yellow (ponderosa) pine. The tallgrass prairie may include various slough grasses and needle grasses, along with big bluestem and prairie dropseed. Mixed prairie regions abound with western wheatgrass and buffalo grass. The prairie region of the Sand Hills supports a variety of bluestems, gramas, and other grasses.

Common Nebraska wild flowers are wild rose, phlox, petunia, columbine, goldenrod, and sunflower. Rare species of Nebraska's flora include the Hayden penstemon, yellow ladyslipper, pawpaw, and snow trillium. Three species were threatened as of 2003, Ute ladies'-tresses, western prairie fringed orchid, and Colorado butterfly plant; blowout penstemon was listed as endangered that year.

Common mammals native to the state are the pronghorn sheep, white-tailed and mule deer, badger, kit fox, coyote, striped ground squirrel, prairie vole, and several skunk species.

There are over 400 bird species, the mourning dove, barn swallow, and western meadowlark (the state bird) among them. Carp, catfish, trout, and perch are fished for sport. Rare animal species include the least shrew, least weasel, and bobcat. The US Fish and Wildlife Service listed nine animal species as threatened or endangered in 2003, including the American burying beetle, bald eagle, whooping crane, black-footed ferret, Topeka shiner, pallid sturgeon, and Eskimo curlew.

Nebraska State Bird (Western Meadowlark)Nebraska Official State Flower (Goldenrod)Nebraska Official State Tree (Eastern Cottonwood)

Government


Nebraska State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol is the seat of government for the State of Nebraska and is located in downtown Lincoln. It was designed by New York architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1920 and was constructed of Indiana limestone from 1922 to 1932. The capitol houses the primary executive and judicial offices of Nebraska and is home to the Nebraska Legislature—the only state unicameral legislature in the United States. The State Capitol is often called the "Tower on the Plains," and its 400-foot tower can be seen as far away as 20 miles. It was the first state capitol to incorporate a functional tower into its design. In 1976, the National Park Service designated the capitol a National Historic Landmark, and in 1997, the Park Service extended the designation to include the capitol grounds, which Ernst H. Herminghaus designed in 1932.

Elected executives are the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and attorney general, all of whom serve four-year terms. The governor and lieutenant governor are jointly elected; each must be a US citizen for at least five years, at least 30 years old, and have been a resident and citizen of Nebraska for at least five years. After serving two consecutive terms, the governor is ineligible for the office for four years.

Voters in Nebraska must be US citizens, at least 18 years old, and state residents. Restrictions apply to convicted felons and those officially found mentally incompetent.

Nebraska State Government

Attractions

Often overlooked as a travel destination, Nebraska is a state of warm-hearted people, interesting natural attractions, and inviting cities. Lincoln, the state capitol, and Omaha are the two main population centers. Each of these are worth a visit, with old historic areas to wander through and vibrant cultural scenes to enjoy. The Nebraska landscape also holds some fascinating attractions for those who take the time to explore it, from Chimney Rock to the beautiful scenery of the Sandhills

Linoma Lighthouse
Linoma Lighthouse
Lighthouses in Nebraska - The state of Nebraska has at least two faux lighthouses which were first lit in 1939. There is no evidence that either were used for navigational purposes as the state has no large bodies of water that would require the need. Linoma Lighthouse is located on a privately owned recreation area which was developed around an artificial lake, while Lake Minatare Lighthouse was "built to simulate a lighthouse".

Nebraska Division of Travel and Tourism

Amusement Parks

Fun-Plex,Omaha
    Fun-Plex is an amusement park located at 7003 Q Street in the Ralston neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska. It is the largest amusement park in Nebraska, and the site of the only roller coaster in Nebraska. Fun-Plex began as “The Kart Ranch” in 1979 with just a go-kart track. In 2015 Fun-Plex put in a brand new water feature called Makana Splash a water play structure with a 317-gallon bucket that drops water on you. In 2016 Fun-Plex built Nebraska's Only Swim up bar called Breakers Bay Bar. In 2018 Fun-Plex adds Rockin’ Rapids, the biggest and most impressive addition to the park in 40 years! The attraction, which features two tube slides for single or double riders.
SkateDaze,Omaha

National Parks

California National Historic Trail, Various States CA,CO,ID,KS,MO,NE,NV,OR,UT,WY
    The California National Historic Trail is over 5,000 miles long and covers portions of 10 states. Step into history along more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces from travelers and their overland wagons
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Eleven States: ID,IL,IA,KS,MO,MT,NE,ND,OR,SD,WA
    The Lewis and Clark Expedition from May 1804 to September 1806, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was the first American expedition to cross the western portion of the United States. It began near St. Louis, passed westward, through the Continental Divide to reach the Pacific coast.
Missouri National Recreational River, Yankton, SD,NE
    Two free flowing stretches of the Missouri make up the National Park. Relive the past by making an exploration of the wild, untamed and mighty river that continues to flow as nature intended.
Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, Various States IL,IA,NE,UT,WY
    Explore the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail across five states to see the 1,300-mile route traveled by Mormons who fled Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1846-1847.
Niobrara National Scenic River, Valentine, NE
    The 76 miles of the Niobrara National Scenic River winds through dramatic bluffs, incredible wildlife diversity, gorgeous waterfalls, world-class fossil resources, and plenty of floating fun for the whole family. Less than 1/4 of one percent of US rivers are designated under the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. Come discover why this prairie river has earned this honor.
Oregon National Historic Trail, Various States ID,KS,MO,NE,OR,WA,WY
    Imagine yourself an emigrant headed for Oregon: would promises of lush farmlands and a new beginning lure you to leave home and walk for weeks? More than 2,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen along the Oregon National Historic Trail in six states and serve as reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American settlers.
Pony Express National Historic Trail, Various States CA,CO,KS,MO,NE,NV,UT,WY
    It is hard to believe that young men once rode horses to carry mail from Missouri to California in the unprecedented time of only 10 days. This relay system along the Pony Express National Historic Trail in eight states was the most direct and practical means of east-west communications before the telegraph.
Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, NE
    Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. Rich with geological and paleontological history as well as human history, there is much to discover while exploring the 3,000 acres of Scotts Bluff National Monument.

National Forests

Nebraska National Forest
Nebraska National Forest
Nebraska National Forest- 140,813 acres
    This forest was created in 1902 by Charles E. Bessey as an experiment to see if a forest could be created in treeless areas of the Great Plains for use as a national timber reserve. The Bessey Nursery is located in the northwest corner of the forest's Bessey Ranger District
Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest- 115,847 acres
    Located in the Sandhills of Nebraska, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest is a combination of prairie and trees planted since 1903, of which ponderosa pine has been most successful

Sports

The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represents the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Among the 128 Division I-FBS teams, Nebraska is one of ten football programs to win 800 or more games. Nebraska has more victories against Power Five opponents than any other program, as well as the fourth most victories all-time, behind only Ohio State, Michigan and Texas. Nebraska also has the most wins and the highest winning percentage of any program over the last 50 years. Two of Nebraska's national championship-winning teams, the 1971 and 1995 teams, are considered to be among the best college football has ever seen

Nebraska Sports

Taxes

Nebraska Tax Facts
  • Income tax: 2.46% - 6.84%
  • Sales tax: 5.5% - 7.5%
  • Property tax: 1.83% average effective rate
  • Gas tax: 27.9 cents per gallon of regular gasoline, 27.3 cents per gallon of diesel

Transportation


Eppley Airfield Photo by Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska Airports. There are 91 airports in Nebraska for public use. There are no international airports in Nebraska but the state has many important regional airports that see a huge traffic. The airports in Nebraska are well connected to the rest of USA and are an important changeover destination for many travelers.

The primary airports in Nebraska are the Lincoln Airport at Lincoln, Eppley Airfield at Omaha, North Platte Regional Airport at North Platte and the Kearny Municipal Airport at Kearny.

Rail

The Union Pacific Railroad, headquartered in Omaha, was incorporated on July 1, 1862, in the wake of the Pacific Railway Act of 1862. Bailey Yard, in North Platte, is the largest railroad classification yard in the world. The route of the original transcontinental railroad runs through the state.

Other major railroads with operations in the state are: Amtrak; BNSF Railway; Canadian National Railway; and Iowa Interstate Railroad.

Roads

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) maintains a system of state highways. Every major section of roadway maintained by the state is assigned a number, officially State Highway No. X but also commonly referred to as Nebraska Highway X. State highways are signed with a white trapezoidal field on a black background with the state, route number and oxen pulled covered wagon displayed in black. Along with the state highways are a system of spurs and links which provide additional access points for the state highway system. In addition, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has designated some roads as Recreational Roads which are maintained by NDOT and generally unsigned.

Nebraska Housing

The median home value in Nebraska is $161,200. Nebraska home values have gone up 8.0% over the past year and  predictions are they will rise 1.7% within the next year. The median list price per square foot in Nebraska is $136. The median price of homes currently listed in Nebraska is $204,900 while the median price of homes that sold is $172,100. The median rent price in Nebraska is $1,200.
Nebraska Association of Realtors
Nebraska Real Estate Commission
Nebraska Real Estate Listings

Nebraska Cities & Towns

There are 93 counties with 530 cities and villages in the state while only 57 are classified as cities. There are five classifications of cities and villages in Nebraska, which is based upon population. Eighty-nine percent of the cities in Nebraska have fewer than 3,000 people. Nebraska shares this characteristic with five other Midwestern states: Kansas, Oklahoma, North Dakota and South Dakota, and Iowa. There are hundreds of towns with a population of less than 1,000. Nebraska Cities and Towns

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Living in Nebraska . Living in Nebraska

Nebraska: Honestly, it’s not for everyone

History, Geography, Homes, and State Resources of Nebraska


Nebraska USA Map

Ever since 1982 when a Nebraskan claimed the the very first homestead grant, travelers moving west started, staying behind and settling in this fertile land and in the process built some of the best farms and ranches in America. This legacy continues on in Nebraska today: having so many self-maintained hometowns, each having its very own unique makeup, it comes as no surprise this Cornhusker State has offered a sturdy home base in which American culture legends like Fred Astaire, President Gerald Ford, Marlon Brando and Malcolm X, could embark and leave their mark upon the world. If you’re planning to move to Nebraska, you can continue to see a great part of its history iby looking at ts buildings and museums leaving you with a feeling the strong Cornhuskers independence at every state fair and festival you attend!

French fur traders first visited Nebraska in the late 1600s. Part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, eastern Nebraska was explored by Lewis and Clark in 1804–1806. A few years later, Robert Stuart pioneered the Oregon Trail across Nebraska in 1812–1813, and the first permanent white settlement was established at Bellevue in 1823.

Western Nebraska was acquired by treaty following the Mexican War in 1848. The Union Pacific began its transcontinental railroad at Omaha in 1865. In 1937, Nebraska became the only state in the Union to have a unicameral (one-house) legislature. Members are elected to it without party designation.

Climate

Click for latest Lincoln, Nebraska, weather
Average temperatures are oretty uniform across the state, with hot summers and typically cold winters. Average annual rainfall decreases from east to west from about 31.5 inches in the southeast corner of the state to around 13.8 inches in the Panhandle.

Demography

  • Nebraska Geography, Facts and History
  • Nebraska Facts & Trivia
  • Nebraska Flags
  • Famous People from Nebraska
  • Nebraska Timeline
  • Nebraska Official Song
  • Education

    Nebraska Colleges. The University of Nebraska system is the public university system in the state of Nebraska. Founded in 1869 with one campus in Lincoln, the system now has four university campuses and operates a two-year technical agriculture college.

    The earliest institution of higher education promoted in the Omaha-area came from promoters of the Town of Saratoga located around present-day North 24th and Grand Streets in Omaha. The Saratogans won a charter from the Nebraska Territorial Legislature to establish Nebraska University. However, their proposal was delayed in the Legislature, and their university was never more than words on paper.

    Economy

    Nebraska is one of the highest producing states in terms of agricultural output. It ranks #4 in total agricultural receipts. Only California, Texas, and Iowa out produce Nebraska farmers. Nebraska's top five agricultural products are cattle and calves, corn for grain, Soybeans, Hogs, and wheat.

    Flora and Fauna


    Nebraska State Flower - Goldenrod


    Nebraska State Tree - Eastern Cottonwood