About Our County

Facts

• Location: Southwestern corner of Nebraska; borders Colorado and Kansas
• County Seat: Benkelman
• Founded: Authorized in 1873, organized in 1884
• Named After: Judge Elmer Scipio Dundy
• Area: 921 sq mi (mostly land)
• Major Highways: U.S. Highway 34, Nebraska Highways 27 & 61
• Time Zone: Mountain Time (UTC−7; DST UTC−6)
• Population by Census Year:
  • 2010: 2,008
  • 2020: 1,654
  • 2024 estimate: 1,581

History

• 1873: Dundy County was authorized by the Nebraska Legislature.
• 1884: Officially organized; previously attached to Hitchcock County for administrative purposes.
• Named For: Judge Elmer Scipio Dundy, a federal judge known for civil rights rulings.
• Early Settlement: Attracted homesteaders due to fertile soil and proximity to Republican River.
• Railroad Era: The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad reached Benkelman in the late 1880s, spurring growth.
• Population Peak: Around 1930, population reached 5,610, driven by agriculture and rail commerce.
• Decline: Post-1940 mechanization of farming and rural migration led to steady population loss.
• Modern Era: Agriculture remains dominant; small businesses and hunting tourism contribute to economy.