Thayer County is a county in Nebraska, United States, on the state’s southern border with Kansas. It had a population of 5,034 at the 2020 census and covers 574 square miles (1,490 km2) of land (plus 1.2 square miles / 3.1 km2 of water), centred near 40°11′N 97°35′W.
Hebron is the county seat, and its postal code is 68370. The county has 2 incorporated cities, 7 incorporated villages, and 1 unincorporated community, all within the Central time zone. FIPS code 31-169.
Towns & Villages in Thayer County
Thayer County has 10 named places: 2 cities and 7 villages, plus one unincorporated community with its own ZIP code. Every incorporated place sits on or near U.S. Route 81 or a state highway.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hebron | City · seat | — | 68370 |
| Deshler | City | — | 68340 |
| Bruning | Village | — | 68322 |
| Chester | Village | — | 68327 |
| Carleton | Village | — | 68326 |
| Davenport | Village | — | 68335 |
| Byron | Village | — | 68325 |
| Belvidere | Village | — | 68315 |
| Hubbell | Village | — | 68375 |
| Alexandria | Village | — | 68303 |
| Gilead | Unincorp. | — | 68362 |
Reynolds, an unincorporated community, also carries its own ZIP code (68429) but is not a separate census-designated place in county records.
ZIP Codes
- 68370 — Hebron
- 68340 — Deshler
- 68322 — Bruning
- 68335 — Davenport
- 68327 — Chester
- 68326 — Carleton
- 68303 — Alexandria
- 68325 — Byron
- 68315 — Belvidere
- 68375 — Hubbell
- 68429 — Reynolds
- 68362 — Gilead (PO Box only)
All twelve ZIPs are Standard delivery except Gilead, which is a PO Box-only ZIP.
Geography
Thayer County lies in the Republican River drainage basin, on gently rolling farmland typical of the southern Nebraska plains. It borders Fillmore County to the north, Saline County to the northeast, Jefferson County to the east, Republic County, Kansas, to the south, Washington County, Kansas, to the southwest, and Nuckolls County to the west.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 5,034 residents in Thayer County, a continuation of the slow population decline common to rural Great Plains counties. Hebron and Deshler are the county’s two largest communities. Median household income runs below the Nebraska median of $74,590, typical for a farm-dependent county of this size. Population density is roughly 8.8 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives the Thayer County economy — corn, soybeans, and cattle dominate the farmland surrounding every town in the county. Hebron, the seat, hosts the county courthouse and the county’s main retail and government services. Deshler’s economy is tied to grain elevators and its rail line. Several villages hold small annual community celebrations tied to harvest season.
History
The county was created in 1856 as Jefferson County, then reorganized and renamed Thayer County in 1870–1871, formally established May 9, 1871. It honors General and Governor John Milton Thayer, a Nebraska territorial and state figure. Settlement followed the railroad west through Hebron and Deshler in the 1870s and 1880s, and the county’s town pattern still tracks those original rail sidings.
Getting There
U.S. Route 81 runs north–south through the county, and U.S. Route 136 crosses it east–west; Nebraska Highways 4, 5, 8, and 53 fill in the local network.
- Hastings, Nebraska — 45 miles northwest
- Lincoln, Nebraska — 65 miles northeast
- Beatrice, Nebraska — 30 miles east
- Concordia, Kansas — 30 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Lincoln Airport, about 70 miles northeast of Hebron.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Thayer County?
It is in southern Nebraska, on the Kansas state line, about 65 miles southeast of Lincoln.
What is the population of Thayer County?
5,034 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Thayer County?
574 square miles of land (1,490 km2), plus 1.2 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Thayer County?
Hebron is the county seat.
How many towns are in Thayer County?
Ten named places: two cities (Hebron, Deshler) and seven villages, plus the unincorporated community of Gilead.
What ZIP codes are in Thayer County?
Twelve ZIPs, from 68370 in Hebron to 68362 in Gilead; see the ZIP Codes section above for the full list.
What was Thayer County called before 1871?
It was originally organized as Jefferson County in 1856, before being renamed for General John Milton Thayer.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Nebraska.