Ponca, Nebraska

History

Ponca was established in 1856 and is Nebraska’s fourth oldest town. It was named for the Ponca Indian tribe native to the region. Ponca was incorporated as a village in 1871.

Ponca experienced growth when the Covington, Columbus and Black Hills Railroad was extended to it in 1876.

Geography

Ponca is located at 42°33′50″N 96°42′38″W (42.563964, -96.710563).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.73 square miles (1.89 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

Ponca is part of the Sioux City, IA–NE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 961 people, 403 households, and 256 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,316.4 inhabitants per square mile (508.3/km²). There were 428 housing units at an average density of 586.3 per square mile (226.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.8% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 403 households of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.5% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 43.9 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 21.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,062 people, 403 households, and 286 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,508.2 people per square mile (585.8/km²). There were 425 housing units at an average density of 603.5 per square mile (234.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.89% White, 0.56% Native American, 0.94% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.64% of the population.

There were 403 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $31,750, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $28,472 versus $21,681 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,782. About 7.0% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

Ponca State Park is two miles north of the city. The park is located on the heavily forested high bluffs and steep hills along the Nebraska banks of the Missouri River. Ponca State Park is the eastern terminus for float trips through the federally designated National Wild and Scenic River.

Notable people