Atkinson
Community Overview
Atkinson is located in Holt County in the north-central section of Nebraska. We live in the Elkhorn Valley, near the north bank of the Elkhorn River. U.S. Highway 20 and State Highway 11 intersect at the southeastern edge of town, making us a thoroughfare for many instate travelers.
The cultural community of Atkinson is a mixture of the locals living in and near town, as well as many families living on outlying farms and ranches. The community features elementary, middle and high schools with a total enrollment of about 300 students. We have a 10,500 square foot community center, a brand new library, a public golf course and a public swimming pool. The community has many churches and other active organizations that range from the American Legion to classic car clubs.
Commercial Services
Machine shops in city: 3
Tool and die services in city: 1
Electric motor repair services in city: 2
Type of newspaper in city: Weekly
Local radio station(s): 3
Number of TV channels received without cable: 3
Cable antenna television serves city: Yes
Maximum number of cable channels received: 77
Number of protestant churches: 6
Number of catholic churches: 1
Number of motels and hotels in city: 1
Total number of rooms available:16
Number of banks in city: 2
Number of savings and loan firms: 0
Chamber of Commerce: Yes
Chamber executive is full-time: Yes
The Sandhills Guest House Motel is an attractive motel with 16 rooms. For more information, call (402) 925-5600 or visit their website. Atkinson has an active Chamber of Commerce helping grow the Atkinson community.
Schools
| Public Schools | Number of Schools | Enrollment | Teacher / Student Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 1 | 205 | 1:11 |
| Junior / Senior High | 1 | 215 | 1:11 |
| Private Schools | Number of Schools | Enrollment | Teacher / Student Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 1 | 76 | 1:15 |
West Holt Public School District #239 covers approximately 930 square miles. The Class 3 school is accredited by the state of Nebraska. The West Holt Elementary School was built in 2009 and the Junior-Senior High School was built in 1968. A $6.5 million renovation project was completed in 2009 including numerous changes to the high school along with a new addition housing the elementary school, administration offices, and gymnasium. Programs include numerous athletic opportunities. Academic programs including Mock Trial, Quiz Bowl and scholastic contests and fine arts programs including music, band, art, speech, drill team, and performing play productions are offered. West Holt has outstanding leadership opportunities through FFA (Future Farmers of America) and FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) and agricultural programs.
Health Facilities
Health Facilities in the Community
| Number of Hospitals in Community | 1 |
| Number of Beds in Hospital(s) | 15 |
| Number of Outpatient Clinics | 14 |
Medical Personnel in the Community
| Medical Doctors / Physician Assistants | 6 |
| Dentists / Orthodontists | 1 |
| Nurses (registered or practical) | 19+ |
| Optometrists / Ophthalmologists | 1 |
| Veterinarians | 4 |
Housing
| Median Home Value | $190,104 |
| Total Housing Units | 608 |
| Owner Occupied Units | 412 |
| Renter Occupied Units | 126 |
| Median Rent | $615 |
| Vacant Units | 70 |
Largest Employers
| Rank | Business Name | Service Sector | Product / Service | Number Employed | Unions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christensen Farms | Agriculture/Farming | Swine | 97 | No |
| 2 | West Holt Memorial Hospital | Health Services | Hospital | 88 | No |
| 3 | Good Samaritan Society/Prairie Winds | Health Services | Nursing Home & Assisted Living | 75 | No |
| 4 | Olson Industries | Manufacturing | Fabricated Metal Products | 66 | No |
| 5 | Green Plains Inc. | Ethanol | Ethanol | 46 | Unknown |
| 6 | West Holt Public Schools | Education Services | Public School | 62 | Yes |
| 7 | Mitchell Equipment | Other Services | Farm Equipment & Repair | 40 | No |
| 8 | Atkinson Livestock Market | Other Services | Livestock Sales & Cafe | 39 | |
| 9 | AZZ Galvanizing | Manufacturing | Galvanizing Steel Products | 33 | No |
| 10 | Braun's IGA & Locker | Retail and Wholesale Trade | Groceries, Meat Processing Locker & Bakery | 31 | No |
Municipal Services
| Type of Government | Mayor-Council |
| Comprehensive City Plan | Yes, 2016-2026 |
| City Manager | No |
| City Engineer | Yes |
| City Zoning Ordinance in Effect | Yes |
| County Zoning Ordinance in Effect | Yes |
| Garbage Service Provider | Private |
| Public Library in City | Yes |
| Percent of Streets Paved | 96% |
| Number Full-Time Fire Department Personnel | 0 |
| Number Volunteer Fire Department Personnel | 39 |
| Number Full-Time Police Officers | 3 |
| Fire Insurance Class | Inside City: 5, Outside City: 8-9 |
Population
General Population Stats
| Area | Projected Population 2028 | Population 2023 | Census Year: 2020 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atkinson | 1,220 | 1,264 | 1,306 | -3.3% |
| Holt County | 9,903 | 10,022 | 10,403 | -1.1% |
| Esri forecasts for 2023 and 2028. U.S. Census Bureau 2000 and 2010 decennial Census data converted by Esri into 2020 geography. | ||||
County Age Distribution
| Age | 0-19 | 20-34 | 35-44 | 45-64 | 65+ | Total | % Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,163 | 759 | 506 | 1.467 | 1,163 | 5,058 | 50.5 % |
| Female | 1,092 | 695 | 447 | 1,440 | 1,340 | 4,964 | 49.5 % |
| Total | 2,255 | 1,454 | 953 | 2,907 | 2.503 | 10,022 | |
| Median Age (2023): 47.7 | |||||||
| Source: Esri forecasts for 2023 and 2028. U.S. Census Bureau 2000 and 2010 decennial Census data converted by Esri into 2020 geography. | |||||||
Tax Structure
Actual Valuation of City: $73,414,595 (Year 2020)
Real Property Tax Rates ($ per $100 of actual value)
| City | County | School | Other | Total Real Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.447916 | $0.331716 | $0.690901 | $0.175903 | $1.646436 |
Bond Indebtedness
| General Obligation | County | School |
|---|---|---|
| $660,000.00 | None | $5,475,000 |
Special District for real property taxes is a combination of levy’s for the Township, Community College, ESU, NRD, Ag Society, and Fire District. These combined, total $0.148846 per $100 in valuation. In addition, the City of Atkinson collects a 1% sales tax. Half of the revenue collected from this tax goes to the Public Library and the other half goes into Economic Development.
Transportation
Number & Type of Roads Serving Community
| Type of Road | Federal | State | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate Highways | |||
| Limited Access, Four-Lane Highways | |||
| Improved Two-Lane Highways | 1 | 1 |
Nearest Highways
| Highway Name | Miles | |
|---|---|---|
| Miles to Nearest Interstate Highway | Interstate 90 | 130 |
| Miles to Nearest Four-Lane Highway | US Hwy 275 near Battle Creek | 84 |
Motor Freight Carriers
More than 13,500 licensed motor carriers with worldwide connections are based in Nebraska and serve businesses throughout North America.
Transit Time for Carload or Truckload Lots
| Destination | Distance by Highway Miles | Days by Railroad | Days by Motor Freight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 211 | N/A | 1 Day |
| Lincoln | 230 | N/A | 1 Day |
| Chicago | 670 | N/A | 1-2 Days |
| Dallas | 768 | N/A | 2-3 Days |
| Denver | 476 | N/A | 1-2 Days |
| Kansas City | 394 | N/A | 1-2 Days |
| Los Angeles | 1487 | N/A | 2-3 Days |
| Minneapolis | 449 | N/A | 1-2 Days |
| New York | 1444 | N/A | 3-5 Days |
| St. Louis | 644 | N/A | 2-3 Days |
Air
| Distance to nearest public airport | 5 minutes |
| Elevation | 2,130 feet |
| Length of longest runway | 4,040 feet |
| Runway lighted | Yes |
| Private aircraft storage available | Yes |
| Private aircraft maintenance available | Yes |
| Distance to nearest commercial air transportation | 135 minutes |
Distance to Nearest International Airport
| Name of Airport | Miles to Airport from Community |
|---|---|
| Omaha Eppley International | 215 |
| Kansas City International | 377 |
| Denver International | 469 |
Rail
| Community served by railroad? | No |
| Distance to Nearest Railroad | 19 Miles |
| Functional Piggyback Ramp Available | No |
| Distance to Nearest Piggyback Service | 93 miles |
| Name of Railroad Serving Community | Nebraska Northeastern Railway Company |
Utilities
Electricity
| State electric power deregulated? | No |
| Wholesale Supplier | Nebraska Public Power District |
Electric System Operator
Nebraska Public Power District
Phone: Economic Development – (800) 282-6773 or 24-Hours – (877) 275-6773
Website: www.nppd.com
Email: econdev@nppd.com
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), the state’s largest electric utility, has a diverse mix of generation, including nuclear, coal, hydro, gas and oil, and wind. NPPD delivers power to approximately 1 million Nebraskans and has ample capacity to meet the needs of new loads. Nebraska’s electric costs are among the lowest in the nation. NPPD’s professional Economic Development Team is available to assist with expansion and retention of existing business and new business locations. Contact the Economic Development Team by emailing econdev@nppd.com or by calling (800) 282-6773. Further information can be found online at www.nppd.com. Utility information can be found at www.nppd.com.
Natural Gas
| Natural Gas Service Available | Yes |
| Supplier in Community | Black Hills Energy |
Water
| Provider | City of Atkinson |
| Major Source | Four wells (one used for backup) |
| If Wells, Average Depth | 160 feet |
| Rated Capacity | 0.120 mgd |
| Average Capacity | 0.040 mgd |
| Peak Demand | 0.750 mgd |
| Storage Capacity | 100,000 gallons |
| Hardness | 110 ppm |
| Treated | No |
| Temperature Range | 44-55 (degrees Fahrenheit) |
Sanitation / Waste Water
| Name of Provider | City of Atkinson |
| Type of Service | Storm Sewer |
| Rated Capacity | 0.120 (mgd) |
| Average Daily Demand | 0.120 (mgd) |
| Peak Demand | 0.150 (mgd) |
| Sewer Connection Fee | Yes |
Telecommunications
| Name of Local Service Provider | CenturyLink |