Loup County is a county in Nebraska, United States, in the Sandhills of the state’s north-central section. It had a population of 607 at the 2020 census and covers 571 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 568 square miles are land, centred near 41°56′N 99°27′W.
Taylor is the county seat, and its postal code is 68879. The county has one incorporated village and a small handful of unincorporated communities, no organized townships, and sits in the Central time zone. Its FIPS code is 31115.
Towns & Villages in Loup County
Loup County is one of the least populated counties in the United States. It has a single incorporated village, Taylor, plus a small number of unincorporated communities scattered across its ranching country. CDP = Census-Designated Place; Unincorp. = unincorporated community with no city government.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor | Village · seat | 141 | 68879 |
| Almeria | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pioneerville | Unincorp. | — | — |
Two names on the old list — “Aggies Acres” and “Mikes Meadows” — could not be verified against any gazetteer or Wikipedia source for Loup County and are omitted here pending confirmation.
ZIP Codes
- 68879 — Taylor (also serves the surrounding ranch country, including Almeria)
Loup County has only one post office; outlying communities use the Taylor ZIP.
Geography
Loup County sits in the Nebraska Sandhills, a rolling landscape of grass-stabilized dunes used mainly for cattle ranching. The Middle Loup River, from which the county takes part of its name, crosses the county and drains toward the Platte basin. Nearly all the county’s land is range and pasture, with almost no cropland.
Loup County borders Rock County to the north, Holt County to the northeast, Garfield County to the east, Custer County to the south, Blaine County to the west, and Brown County to the northwest. Of these, Custer County, Garfield County, Blaine County, and Valley County have their own pages on this site; Rock, Holt, and Brown counties do not yet.
Demographics
Loup County had 607 residents at the 2020 census, making it the fifth-least populated county in Nebraska. Taylor, the county seat, is by far the largest place, with Almeria and Pioneerville the county’s only other named communities. Nebraska’s median household income was the Nebraska median of $74,590 (2023 ACS); Loup County, being sparsely populated ranch country, has historically run below the state figure. Population density is roughly one person per square mile, among the lowest of any county in the state.
Economy & Local Life
Cattle ranching is the backbone of Loup County’s economy, supported by hay production across the Sandhills grassland. Taylor serves as the county’s only commercial center, home to the county courthouse, a school, and a handful of local businesses. The county’s low population and open range make it a destination for hunters and for travelers on the Sandhills’ scenic byways.
History
Loup County was organized in 1883 and named for the Pawnee Loup people, whose name (French for “wolf”) had already been attached to the Loup River system. Taylor was platted as the county seat in the same era, and the county’s population peaked in the early 20th century before decades of agricultural consolidation thinned its towns to the handful that remain today.
Getting There
Nebraska Highway 91 runs through Taylor, connecting the county to US Highway 183 nearby.
- Broken Bow — 30 miles south
- Burwell — 25 miles east
- Ainsworth — 45 miles north
- Ord — 35 miles southeast
The nearest commercial airport is North Platte Regional Airport, roughly 100 miles to the southwest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Loup County, Nebraska?
It is in north-central Nebraska, in the Sandhills region, bordered by Rock, Holt, Garfield, Custer, Blaine, and Brown counties.
What is the population of Loup County?
607 people, per the 2020 census, making it one of the least-populated counties in the United States.
How big is Loup County?
571 square miles (1,480 km2), most of it open Sandhills rangeland.
What is the county seat of Loup County?
Taylor is the county seat.
How many towns are in Loup County?
One incorporated village, Taylor, plus the unincorporated communities of Almeria and Pioneerville.
What ZIP codes are in Loup County?
The county is served by ZIP code 68879, covering Taylor and the surrounding area.
What is Loup County’s economy based on?
Cattle ranching and hay production across the Sandhills grassland.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Nebraska.