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 SchoolsNumber of SchoolsEnrollmentTeacher / Student Ratio
Elementary12051:11
Junior / Senior High12151:11
Private SchoolsNumber of SchoolsEnrollmentTeacher / Student Ratio
Elementary1761:15

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 Community1
Number of Beds in Hospital(s)15
Number of Outpatient Clinics14

Medical Personnel in the Community

Medical Doctors / Physician Assistants6
Dentists / Orthodontists1
Nurses (registered or practical)19+
Optometrists / Ophthalmologists1
Veterinarians4

Housing

Median Home Value$190,104
Total Housing Units608
Owner Occupied Units412
Renter Occupied Units126
Median Rent$615
Vacant Units70

Largest Employers

RankBusiness NameService SectorProduct / ServiceNumber EmployedUnions
1Christensen FarmsAgriculture/FarmingSwine97No
2West Holt Memorial HospitalHealth ServicesHospital88No
3Good Samaritan Society/Prairie WindsHealth ServicesNursing Home & Assisted Living75No
4Olson IndustriesManufacturingFabricated Metal Products66No
5Green Plains Inc.EthanolEthanol46Unknown
6West Holt Public SchoolsEducation ServicesPublic School62Yes
7Mitchell EquipmentOther ServicesFarm Equipment & Repair40No
8Atkinson Livestock MarketOther ServicesLivestock Sales & Cafe39
9AZZ GalvanizingManufacturingGalvanizing Steel Products33No
10Braun's IGA & LockerRetail and Wholesale TradeGroceries, Meat Processing Locker & Bakery31No

Municipal Services

Type of GovernmentMayor-Council
Comprehensive City PlanYes, 2016-2026
City ManagerNo
City EngineerYes
City Zoning Ordinance in EffectYes
County Zoning Ordinance in EffectYes
Garbage Service ProviderPrivate
Public Library in CityYes
Percent of Streets Paved96%
Number Full-Time Fire Department Personnel0
Number Volunteer Fire Department Personnel39
Number Full-Time Police Officers3
Fire Insurance ClassInside City: 5, Outside City: 8-9

Population

General Population Stats

AreaProjected Population 2028Population 2023Census Year: 2020% Change
Atkinson1,2201,2641,306-3.3%
Holt County9,90310,02210,403-1.1%
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

Age0-1920-3435-4445-6465+Total% Split
Male1,1637595061.4671,1635,05850.5 %
Female1,0926954471,4401,3404,96449.5 %
Total2,2551,4549532,9072.50310,022
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)

CityCountySchoolOtherTotal Real Property
$0.447916$0.331716$0.690901$0.175903$1.646436

Bond Indebtedness

General ObligationCountySchool
$660,000.00None$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 RoadFederalStateCounty
Interstate Highways
Limited Access, Four-Lane Highways
Improved Two-Lane Highways11

Nearest Highways

Highway NameMiles
Miles to Nearest Interstate HighwayInterstate 90130
Miles to Nearest Four-Lane HighwayUS Hwy 275 near Battle Creek84

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

DestinationDistance by Highway MilesDays by RailroadDays by Motor Freight
Omaha211N/A1 Day
Lincoln230N/A1 Day
Chicago670N/A1-2 Days
Dallas768N/A2-3 Days
Denver476N/A1-2 Days
Kansas City394N/A1-2 Days
Los Angeles1487N/A2-3 Days
Minneapolis449N/A1-2 Days
New York1444N/A3-5 Days
St. Louis644N/A2-3 Days

Air

Distance to nearest public airport5 minutes
Elevation2,130 feet
Length of longest runway4,040 feet
Runway lightedYes
Private aircraft storage availableYes
Private aircraft maintenance availableYes
Distance to nearest commercial air transportation135 minutes

Distance to Nearest International Airport

Name of AirportMiles to Airport
from Community
Omaha Eppley International215
Kansas City International377
Denver International469

Rail

Community served by railroad?No
Distance to Nearest Railroad19 Miles
Functional Piggyback Ramp AvailableNo
Distance to Nearest Piggyback Service93 miles
Name of Railroad Serving CommunityNebraska Northeastern Railway Company

Utilities

Electricity

State electric power deregulated?No
Wholesale SupplierNebraska 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 AvailableYes
Supplier in CommunityBlack Hills Energy

Water

ProviderCity of Atkinson
Major SourceFour wells (one used for backup)
If Wells, Average Depth160 feet
Rated Capacity0.120 mgd
Average Capacity0.040 mgd
Peak Demand0.750 mgd
Storage Capacity100,000 gallons
Hardness110 ppm
TreatedNo
Temperature Range44-55 (degrees Fahrenheit)

Sanitation / Waste Water

Name of ProviderCity of Atkinson
Type of ServiceStorm Sewer
Rated Capacity0.120 (mgd)
Average Daily Demand0.120 (mgd)
Peak Demand0.150 (mgd)
Sewer Connection FeeYes

Telecommunications

Name of Local Service ProviderCenturyLink