Brown County is a county in Nebraska, United States, in the Sandhills region crossed by the Niobrara National Scenic River. It had a population of 2,903 at the 2020 census and covers 1,225 square miles (3,173 km2) centred near 42°21′N 99°55′W.
Ainsworth is the county seat, and its postal code is 69210. The county has two incorporated cities, one village and several unincorporated communities, and is among the least densely populated in Nebraska. It lies in the Central time zone and carries FIPS code 31017.
Towns & Villages in Brown County
Brown County has five named places on record: two cities, one village and two unincorporated communities. "City" is Nebraska’s term for its larger incorporated municipalities; "Village" covers smaller incorporated places; "Unincorp." marks a settlement with no municipal government of its own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ainsworth | City · seat | 1,616 | 69210 |
| Long Pine | City | — | 69217 |
| Johnstown | Village | — | — |
| Koshopah | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Raven | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 69210 — Ainsworth (also serves most of the surrounding county)
- 69217 — Long Pine
Johnstown, Koshopah and Raven are too small to carry their own ZIP code and are served by a neighboring post office.
Geography
Brown County sits in Nebraska’s Sandhills, a grass-stabilized dune region built from windblown sand that holds the country’s largest concentration of wetlands and native prairie. The land is mostly rolling grass-covered dunes cut by small streams, with almost no row-crop farming possible — ranching is the natural fit. The county is drained by the Niobrara National Scenic River, which runs along its northern edge and is popular for canoeing and kayaking in summer. U.S. Highways 20 and 183 and Nebraska Highway 7 cross the county, meeting at Ainsworth.
Brown County borders Keya Paha County to the north, Rock County to the east, Loup County to the southeast, Blaine County to the south and Cherry County to the west, Nebraska’s largest county by area.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 2,903 residents, giving Brown County a density of about 2.4 people per square mile — among the emptiest counties in the state. Ainsworth, with 1,616 residents, and Long Pine are the two largest communities. Median household income across the county runs below the Nebraska median of $74,590, typical for a ranching and farm county with this little population density.
Economy & Local Life
Cattle ranching and hay production dominate the Sandhills economy here, alongside farm-supply, veterinary and grain businesses centred on Ainsworth, which functions as the trade hub for the surrounding ranch country. Brown County Hospital and the Brown County school system are among the county’s largest employers outside agriculture. Ainsworth Regional Airport serves the county, and the town hosted the World Horseshoe Pitching Championships in 1986, still a point of local pride; recreational tourism tied to canoeing and fishing on the Niobrara adds seasonal business each summer.
History
Brown County was organized on February 19, 1883, and named for two members of the territorial legislature who reported the bill establishing it. Ainsworth was platted the same year as the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad reached the area, and was named for James E. Ainsworth, a railroad engineer who helped build the line through the county. Cattle ranching took hold quickly in the surrounding Sandhills, where the sandy soil and native grass made large open-range operations more practical than crop farming, and that pattern of land use has defined the county ever since.
Getting There
U.S. Highway 20 runs east–west through Ainsworth, with U.S. Highway 183 and Nebraska Highway 7 providing north–south routes.
- Long Pine — 8 miles east of Ainsworth
- Johnstown — 10 miles west of Ainsworth
- Bassett, Rock County — about 25 miles east
Ainsworth Regional Airport handles general aviation; the nearest commercial air service is North Platte Regional Airport, roughly 130 miles to the south.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Brown County, Nebraska?
It sits in the Sandhills of north-central Nebraska, crossed by the Niobrara National Scenic River.
What is the population of Brown County?
2,903 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Brown County?
1,225 square miles (3,173 km2), making it one of Nebraska’s larger but most sparsely populated counties.
What is the county seat of Brown County?
Ainsworth, population 1,616.
How many towns are in Brown County?
Two incorporated cities (Ainsworth and Long Pine) and one village (Johnstown), plus a handful of unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Brown County?
69210 (Ainsworth) and 69217 (Long Pine) are the county’s two ZIP codes.
What river runs through Brown County?
The Niobrara National Scenic River, which forms part of the county’s northern boundary.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Nebraska.