Stanton County is a county in Nebraska, United States, on the Elkhorn River in the northeastern part of the state. It had a population of 5,842 at the 2020 census and covers 431 square miles (1,116 km2), of which 428 square miles are land, centred near 41°57′N 97°13′W.
Stanton is the county seat, and its postal code is 68779. The county has one city, one village, one census-designated place and several unincorporated communities. It sits in the Central time zone and carries FIPS code 31167. Stanton County forms part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Towns & Villages in Stanton County
Stanton County has four named places plus a scattering of rural crossroads communities. Stanton is the only incorporated city, Pilger is the county’s lone village, and Woodland Park is a small census-designated place just outside the city of Stanton. “Unincorp.” below means the place has no municipal government of its own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanton | City · seat | — | 68779 |
| Pilger | Village | — | 68768 |
| Woodland Park | CDP | — | 68779 |
| Spurville | Unincorp. | — | 68779 |
Pilger sits partly in neighboring Cuming County; the settlement itself, along with its village government and post office, is seated on the Stanton County side of the line. Spurville is an unincorporated rural community rather than a platted town and has no population figures reported separately by the Census Bureau.
ZIP Codes
- 68779 — Stanton (also serves Woodland Park and Spurville)
- 68768 — Pilger
Rural addresses outside these two post office areas are typically assigned to whichever ZIP is closer along the county road network.
Geography
Stanton County lies in the Elkhorn River valley, with low rolling hills sloping east toward the river. The Elkhorn crosses the upper-central part of the county on its way southeast toward its confluence with the Platte River. Farmland dominates the landscape, with corn and soybeans the principal crops on the flatter bottomland and pasture on the rougher terrain to the west.
The county borders Wayne County to the north, Cuming County to the east, Colfax County to the south, Platte County to the southwest, Madison County to the west and Pierce County to the northwest.
Demographics
Stanton County had 5,842 residents at the 2020 census. Stanton, the county seat, and Pilger, the county’s only village, are the two largest incorporated communities. Median household income in the county runs close to the Nebraska median of $74,590, reflecting a farm-and-small-town economy typical of the region. Population density works out to roughly 13.6 people per square mile, well below the statewide average and consistent with a rural, agriculture-dependent county.
Economy & Local Life
Row-crop and livestock agriculture is the backbone of the county economy — corn, soybeans and cattle feeding dominate. Stanton serves as the county’s retail and government hub, home to the Stanton County Courthouse and the county’s public schools. Many residents commute east to Norfolk, the region’s larger employment center, for manufacturing, healthcare and retail jobs. The Stanton County Fair, held each summer, is the county’s best-known annual event.
History
Stanton County was formed in 1856 and organized in 1867. It was originally named Izard County, after territorial governor Mark Izard, but was renamed in 1862 in honor of Edwin M. Stanton, who served as Secretary of War under President Abraham Lincoln. The village of Pilger was largely destroyed by a rare twin-tornado event on June 16, 2014, and has since been rebuilt on a smaller footprint.
Getting There
U.S. Highway 275 crosses the county, along with Nebraska Highways 15, 24, 32 and 57.
- Norfolk — 12 miles east
- Wayne — 20 miles northeast
- Omaha — 115 miles southeast
- Lincoln — 95 miles south
The nearest commercial air service is Eppley Airfield in Omaha; Norfolk also has a small regional airport with limited service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Stanton County, Nebraska?
It is in the northeastern part of the state, along the Elkhorn River, within the Norfolk micropolitan area.
What is the population of Stanton County?
Stanton County had 5,842 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Stanton County?
The county covers 431 square miles (1,116 km2), of which 428 square miles are land.
What is the county seat of Stanton County?
Stanton is the county seat.
How many towns are in Stanton County?
The county has one city (Stanton), one village (Pilger), one census-designated place (Woodland Park) and the unincorporated community of Spurville.
What ZIP codes are in Stanton County?
68779 (Stanton) and 68768 (Pilger).
What happened to Pilger in 2014?
Pilger was struck by twin tornadoes on June 16, 2014, one of the few documented instances of two tornadoes touching down simultaneously side by side; the village has since rebuilt.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Nebraska.