Tekamah, Nebraska

A claim was staked to establish Tekamah as a town in October 1854. On March 14, 1855, Tekamah became an incorporated city by an act of the first territorial legislature of Nebraska.

A peculiar method produced the town's name. According to the diary of Colonel B.R. Folsom, who worked with the original townsite company, Tekamah was literally chosen by the luck of the draw. When the decision had been reached to make the location a settlement, a problem arose in naming it. It was agreed that each of the exploration parties should write their favorite name on a slip of paper and drop it into a hat. The first name drawn out would then become the official name of the community. The first name drawn was "Tekamah."

A surveyor, William Byers, contributed the name. An Indian translation defines Tekamah as meaning "big cottonwoods," and this is appropriate due to the large cottonwood trees that grew along the banks of Tekamah creek and were scattered over the territory. Another translation found through research says the name "Teka-mah" comes from the Egyptian or Arabic language and means "bloody battlefield." Researchers claim that centuries ago many tribes of Indians collided with a pale-faced foe in the Tekamah valley. During the years following the settling of the area, documentation was found indicating that many exposed human bones were found. The translation in either language is appropriate as there is evidence enough for both. It is unclear which translation prompted Byers to suggest it as a contender. To this day Tekamah is a name that belongs exclusively to Burt County.

Geography Tekamah is located at 41°46'41" North, 96°13'21" West (41.778008, -96.222546)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²). 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 1,892 people, 778 households, and 522 families residing in the city. The population density is 575.2/km² (1,492.2/mi²). There are 833 housing units at an average density of 253.2/km² (657.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 99.05% White, 0.11% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 778 households out of which 31.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% are married couples living together, 7.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% are non-families. 30.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 2.94.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $35,708, and the median income for a family is $41,688. Males have a median income of $30,650 versus $21,125 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,836. 7.8% of the population and 5.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 10.8% are under the age of 18 and 10.0% are 65 or older.