Richardson County is a county in Nebraska, United States, the state’s easternmost county, where the Missouri River marks its border with Kansas and Missouri. It had a population of 7,871 at the 2020 census and covers 555 square miles (1,440 km2) centred near 40°7′N 95°43′W.
Falls City is the county seat, and its postal code is 68355. The county has two cities, eight villages and two unincorporated communities, and it observes Central time.
Towns & Villages in Richardson County
Richardson County has twelve named places: two incorporated cities, eight incorporated villages, and two unincorporated communities. Falls City, the county seat, holds nearly two-thirds of the county’s population; most of the rest are small villages strung along US-73 and the Missouri River bottoms.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falls City | City · seat | 4,041 | 68355 |
| Humboldt | City | 904 | 68376 |
| Dawson | Village | 145 | 68337 |
| Rulo | Village | 150 | 68431 |
| Salem | Village | 105 | 68433 |
| Shubert | Village | 167 | 68437 |
| Stella | Village | 216 | 68442 |
| Verdon | Village | 193 | 68457 |
| Barada | Unincorp. | — | 68355 |
| Preston | Unincorp. | — | 68355 |
| Nim City | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Straussville | Unincorp. | — | — |
Barada and Preston are unincorporated crossroads southwest and northwest of Falls City and share its 68355 ZIP; Nim City and Straussville are historic river-bottom hamlets along the Missouri River with no ZIP of their own.
ZIP Codes
- 68355 — Falls City (also serves Barada and Preston)
- 68376 — Humboldt
- 68337 — Dawson
- 68431 — Rulo
- 68433 — Salem
- 68437 — Shubert
- 68442 — Stella
- 68457 — Verdon
Nim City and Straussville have no post office of their own and use the ZIP of the nearest village.
Geography
Richardson County sits in Nebraska’s far southeast corner, in the rolling loess hills above the Missouri River valley. The Missouri forms the county’s entire eastern edge, and the Nemaha River drains much of the interior before joining it near Rulo. The lowest point in Nebraska, where the Missouri River leaves the state, is here. Nemaha County borders it to the north and Pawnee County to the west, both in Nebraska; across the state line to the east is Holt County, Missouri, and to the south and southeast are Doniphan and Brown counties, Kansas, with Nemaha County, Kansas, adjoining the southwest corner.
Of the Nebraska neighbors, Pawnee County lies directly west and Nemaha County lies directly north.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 7,871 residents, down from 9,531 in 2000. Falls City (4,041) and Humboldt (904) are the two largest communities, together holding well over half the county’s population. Richardson County’s median household income runs below the Nebraska median of $74,590, reflecting its rural, agricultural economy. Density works out to roughly 14 people per square mile, among the more sparsely settled counties in the state’s eastern tier.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture anchors the county economy — corn, soybeans and cattle on the upland farms, with grain elevators in Falls City, Humboldt, Stella and Verdon marking the local rail and truck routes. Falls City is the county’s retail and healthcare hub, home to Community Medical Center and the county’s schools and county offices. Richardson County High School in Falls City is one of the district’s few consolidated county-wide schools. The Missouri River bottomland near Rulo has long supported both farming and hunting/fishing traffic drawn by the river and nearby Indian Cave State Park just across the line in Nemaha County.
History
Richardson County was organized in 1854, one of Nebraska Territory’s original counties, and named for William A. Richardson, an Illinois congressman who sponsored the Kansas-Nebraska Act that created the territory. Falls City, platted in 1857 near the falls of the Nemaha River, became the county seat and grew as a Missouri River trade and rail town. The county’s river-bottom hamlets, including Rulo and the now-vanished landing at Nim City, trace back to 19th-century steamboat traffic before the railroads redirected trade to Falls City and Humboldt.
Getting There
US-73 and US-73/NE-8 run through Falls City, connecting the county to Nebraska City to the north and the Kansas border towns to the south.
- Falls City — county seat, at the junction of US-73 and NE-8/NE-67
- Auburn, Nebraska — about 18 miles north via US-73
- Hiawatha, Kansas — about 25 miles south via US-73/US-36
- Rulo — about 8 miles southeast of Falls City on the Missouri River
The nearest commercial airport is Kansas City International, roughly two hours southeast by car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Richardson County?
It’s in Nebraska’s far southeastern corner, bordered by the Missouri River, Missouri and Kansas.
What is the population of Richardson County?
7,871 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Richardson County?
555 square miles (1,440 km2), of which 552 square miles are land.
What is the county seat of Richardson County?
Falls City is the county seat.
How many towns and villages are in Richardson County?
Two cities (Falls City and Humboldt), eight villages, and two unincorporated communities — twelve named places in all.
What ZIP codes are in Richardson County?
Eight ZIPs, led by 68355 (Falls City) and including 68376 (Humboldt), 68337 (Dawson), 68431 (Rulo), 68433 (Salem), 68437 (Shubert), 68442 (Stella) and 68457 (Verdon).
What river forms the county’s eastern border?
The Missouri River, at the point where it also marks Nebraska’s lowest elevation.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Nebraska.