View source for Grand Island, Nebraska

{{Short description|City in and county seat of Hall County, Nebraska, United States}}
{{For|the nearby island in the Platte River|Grand Island (Nebraska)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = June 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Grand Island
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_blank_emblem = GrandIslandNElogo.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| nickname           = La Grande Ile
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Hall Co Courthouse 6.jpg
| image_caption      = Hall County Courthouse in Grand Island,<br>June 2014
| image_flag         = GrandIslandNEflag.gif
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = Hall_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Grand_Island_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Grand Island in [[Hall County, Nebraska|County]] and [[Nebraska|State]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location -->
| pushpin_map        = Nebraska#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Nebraska##Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| coordinates        = {{coord|40|55|18|N|98|21|31|W|region:US-NE_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Nebraska}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Nebraska|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Hall County, Nebraska|Hall]]

<!-- Government -->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Roger Steele

<!-- Area -->| area_footnotes     = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 18, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 78.44
| area_land_km2      = 77.92
| area_water_km2     = 0.51
| area_total_sq_mi   = 30.28
| area_land_sq_mi    = 30.09
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.20
| unit_pref          = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 1870

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total   = 53131
| population_density_sq_mi = 1765.97
| population_density_km2 = 681.85

<!-- General information -->| population_demonym = Grand Islander
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;6
| timezone_DST       = [[Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;5
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 68801-68803
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 308|308]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 31-19595
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 838031<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|838031}}</ref>
| website            = [http://www.grand-island.com/ grand-island.com]
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_rank    = 4th in Nebraska
| population_est     = 
| population_footnotes = 
}}

'''Grand Island''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Hall County, Nebraska|Hall County]], [[Nebraska]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> The population was 53,131 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], making it the [[List of cities in Nebraska|4th most populous city in Nebraska]].<ref name=USCensus2020 /> Grand Island is the principal city of the [[Grand Island metropolitan area]], which consists of Hall, [[Merrick County, Nebraska|Merrick]], and [[Howard County, Nebraska|Howard]] counties. The Grand Island metropolitan area has an official population of 83,472 residents.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grand Island, you are officially a metro area|url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20130314/NEWS/703149868/1685#grand-island-you-are-officially-a-metro-area|archive-date=April 11, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411145336/http://www.omaha.com/article/20130314/NEWS/703149868/1685%23grand-island-you-are-officially-a-metro-area|url-status=dead|publisher=Omaha World Herald|access-date=14 March 2013}}</ref>

Grand Island has been given the [[All-America City Award]] four times (1955, 1967, 1981, and 1982) by the National Civic League.

Grand Island is home to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, which is the sole agency responsible for training law enforcement officers throughout the state, as well as the home of the [[Southern Power District]] serving southern Nebraska. Ammunition manufacturer [[Hornady]] is also located there.

==History==
[[File:Grand Island, Nebraska (1867).jpg|thumb|alt=Black-and-white photo: ca. 20 one-story buildings on treeless prairie|Grand Island, 1867]]
[[File:Nebraska - Benedict through Grant - NARA - 23942149 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of Grand Island, 1925]]

===19th century===
In 1857, 35 German settlers left [[Davenport, Iowa]], and headed west to Nebraska to start a new settlement on an island<ref name=bowman>{{cite book|last1=Bowman|first1=J. R.|editor1-last=Shearer|editor1-first=Frederick E.|title=The Pacific tourist. J.R. Bowman's illustrated transcontinental guide of travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean|date=1882|publisher=J.R. Bowman|location=New York|page=26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nbsUAAAAYAAJ&q=The%20Pacific%20tourist.%20J.R.%20Bowman's%20illustrated%20transcontinental%20guide%20of%20travel%20from%20the%20Atlantic%20to%20the%20Pacific%20Ocean&pg=PA230V|access-date=13 May 2018|oclc=752667534}}</ref> known by French traders as ''La Grande Isle'', which was formed by the Wood River and the [[Platte River]]. The settlers reached their destination on July 4, 1857, and by September had built housing using local timber. They set up farms but initially had no market to sell their goods until a market opened at [[Fort Kearny]]. When the [[Pike's Peak Gold Rush]] began, Grand Island was the last place travelers could obtain supplies before they crossed the plains.<ref name=bowman />

Surveyors from the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] (UP) laid out a town called Grand Island Station and many settlers living on Grand Island moved to the new town, located slightly inland from the island.<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://www.grand-island.com/index.aspx?page=253 |title=History |work=City of Grand Island, Nebraska |year=2011 |access-date=June 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623000326/http://www.grand-island.com/index.aspx?page=253 |archive-date=June 23, 2011 }}</ref> In 1868 the railroad reached the area, bringing increased trade and business. Grand Island became the end of the east division of the railroad and UP built service facilities for their locomotives in the town as well as an elegant hotel for passengers providing a boost for the local economy. The cost of the railroad coming into town was the denudement of most of the hardwood trees on the island for use as ties for the railroad.<ref name=bowman /> By 1870, 1,057 people lived in the town, and in 1872 the town was incorporated as Grand Island.<ref name=website>{{cite web |url= http://www.grand-island.com/index.aspx?page=147 |title= The Pioneer Spirit |work= City of Grand Island, Nebraska |year= 2011 |access-date= June 2, 2011 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110623000321/http://www.grand-island.com/index.aspx?page=147 |archive-date= June 23, 2011 }}</ref>

In about 1890, [[sugar beets]] were introduced as a crop in Nebraska. The first sugar beet processing factory in the United States was built in the southwest part of Grand Island.<ref name=website/> By 1900, it was the state's third largest city.

===20th century===
Throughout the 20th century, Grand Island experienced steady growth due to its strategic location along the railroad. The city remained Nebraska's third largest city throughout the entire century, before being surpassed by [[Bellevue, Nebraska|Bellevue]] in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand Island History |url=https://visitgrandisland.com/about/grand-island-history.html#:~:text=1870-present&text=By%20the%201880s,%20Union%20Pacific,1870%20to%207,500%20in%201890. |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=visitgrandisland.com |language=en}}</ref>

===21st century===
Grand Island has experienced a number of revitalization efforts in the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Error |url=https://city2.grand-island.com/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=410292&dbid=1&repo=City-of-GI&cr=1 |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=city2.grand-island.com}}</ref> These include several expansions to the city's airport, as well as the relocation of the [[Nebraska State Fair]] to Grand Island.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-15 |title=Nebraska State Fair {{!}} Grand Island NE |url=https://www.statefair.org/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=www.statefair.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

===1980 tornadoes===
{{Main|1980 Grand Island tornado outbreak}}

On June 3, 1980, Grand Island was hit by a massive [[supercell]] storm. Through the course of the evening, the city was ravaged by seven [[tornado]]es, the worst of which was rated F4 on the [[Fujita Scale]]. The hardest hit area of town was the north Locust business district. There were five deaths as a result of the tornadoes.

Tornado Hill is a local landmark created as a direct result of the tornadoes. Debris that could not be recycled was burned near Fonner Park and what remained was buried within Ryder Park, on the west end of town. The base of the hill was a hole {{convert|6|-|8|ft}} deep and nearly {{convert|200|ft}} across, and the hill is {{convert|40|ft}} high. It is used for sledding in this otherwise flat area.<ref name=independent>{{cite web |url=http://www.gitwisters.com/tenyears/tornadohill.php |title=The Real Night of the Twisters |first=Brad |last=Frisvold |work=gitwisters.com |year=2011 |publisher=The Independent |location=Grand Island, NE |access-date=June 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731041332/http://www.gitwisters.com/tenyears/tornadohill.php |archive-date=July 31, 2012 }}</ref>

A book, ''[[Night of the Twisters]]'', by Ivy Ruckman, and movie were based on this event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gitwisters.com/bookmovie/twistersmovie.php |title=The Real Night of the Twisters |first=Colleen |last=O'Neill |work=gitwisters.com |year=2011 |publisher=The Independent |location=Grand Island, NE |access-date=June 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111055242/http://www.gitwisters.com/bookmovie/twistersmovie.php |archive-date=January 11, 2013 }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|28.55|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|28.41|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.14|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-06-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

Grand Island is located just a few miles north of the [[Platte River]], one of Nebraska's most prominent rivers on which many of the state's major cities and towns sit.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

===Metropolitan area===
The Grand Island Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick counties. Hamilton was added to the metropolitan area in 2012. The Grand Island MSA is home to 76,479 people (2023 estimate), making it [[Metropolitan statistical area|one of the smallest in the United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-03-26 |title=Wayback Machine |url=http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2009/CBSA-EST2009-01.csv |access-date=2024-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326160047/http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2009/CBSA-EST2009-01.csv |archive-date=March 26, 2010 }}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Grand Island, Nebraska ([[Central Nebraska Regional Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1895–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 76
|Feb record high F = 80
|Mar record high F = 90
|Apr record high F = 98
|May record high F = 104
|Jun record high F = 108
|Jul record high F = 117
|Aug record high F = 112
|Sep record high F = 109
|Oct record high F = 97
|Nov record high F = 88
|Dec record high F = 80
|year record high F = 117
|Jan avg record high F = 59.8
|Feb avg record high F = 65.1
|Mar avg record high F = 76.8
|Apr avg record high F = 85.8
|May avg record high F = 92.3
|Jun avg record high F = 97.7
|Jul avg record high F = 99.9
|Aug avg record high F = 97.5
|Sep avg record high F = 94.3
|Oct avg record high F = 86.3
|Nov avg record high F = 74.0
|Dec avg record high F = 61.3
|year avg record high F = 101.7
|Jan high F = 36.1
|Feb high F = 40.4
|Mar high F = 52.6
|Apr high F = 63.3
|May high F = 73.4
|Jun high F = 84.4
|Jul high F = 88.1
|Aug high F = 85.8
|Sep high F = 79.3
|Oct high F = 65.6
|Nov high F = 51.1
|Dec high F = 38.9
|year high F = 63.2
|Jan mean F = 25.9
|Feb mean F = 29.7
|Mar mean F = 40.7
|Apr mean F = 51.0
|May mean F = 62.0
|Jun mean F = 72.8
|Jul mean F = 77.0
|Aug mean F = 74.6
|Sep mean F = 66.6
|Oct mean F = 53.1
|Nov mean F = 39.6
|Dec mean F = 28.9
|year mean F = 51.8
|Jan low F = 15.6
|Feb low F = 19.1
|Mar low F = 28.8
|Apr low F = 38.6
|May low F = 50.5
|Jun low F = 61.1
|Jul low F = 65.8
|Aug low F = 63.5
|Sep low F = 53.9
|Oct low F = 40.6
|Nov low F = 28.1
|Dec low F = 18.9
|year low F = 40.4
|Jan avg record low F = -6.8
|Feb avg record low F = -2.2
|Mar avg record low F = 8.1
|Apr avg record low F = 22.2
|May avg record low F = 34.7
|Jun avg record low F = 47.5
|Jul avg record low F = 54.0
|Aug avg record low F = 51.3
|Sep avg record low F = 37.5
|Oct avg record low F = 22.7
|Nov avg record low F = 9.9
|Dec avg record low F = -1.8
|year avg record low F = -11.9
|Jan record low F = −29
|Feb record low F = −34
|Mar record low F = −21
|Apr record low F = −1
|May record low F = 22
|Jun record low F = 36
|Jul record low F = 42
|Aug record low F = 38
|Sep record low F = 20
|Oct record low F = 6
|Nov record low F = −11
|Dec record low F = −26
|year record low F = -34
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.61
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.74
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.39
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.52
|May precipitation inch = 4.70
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.01
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.51
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.20
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.00
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.99
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.10
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.84
|year precipitation inch = 26.61
|Jan snow inch = 6.8
|Feb snow inch = 7.3
|Mar snow inch = 3.8
|Apr snow inch = 1.6
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.1
|Oct snow inch = 1.1
|Nov snow inch = 2.3
|Dec snow inch = 4.7
|year snow inch = 27.7
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 5.5
|Feb precipitation days = 5.6
|Mar precipitation days = 7.0
|Apr precipitation days = 8.9
|May precipitation days = 11.6
|Jun precipitation days = 10.2
|Jul precipitation days = 9.1
|Aug precipitation days = 8.5
|Sep precipitation days = 6.8
|Oct precipitation days = 6.5
|Nov precipitation days = 4.9
|Dec precipitation days = 5.3
|year precipitation days = 89.9
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 4.6
|Feb snow days = 4.3
|Mar snow days = 2.4
|Apr snow days = 1.0
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.6
|Nov snow days = 1.6
|Dec snow days = 3.5
|year snow days = 18.1
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name=NOAA>
{{cite web 
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=gid
| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| accessdate = January 13, 2022}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014935&format=pdf
| title = Station: Grand Island AP, NE
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = January 13, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===Environmental issues===
In 1981, a plume of contaminated groundwater was discovered beneath the [[Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant]], which occupies  {{convert|20|sqmi|km2}}  west of Grand Island. The plume extended northeast of the plant and migrated towards Grand Island. Hazardous level of  [[RDX]] and [[TNT]] were discovered,<ref name="GI" /> remnants of the explosives produced at the plant during various wars. In 1987, the Army burned about 40,000 tons of explosives-contaminated soil. In 1998, a pump-and-treat facility that continues to operate was built to cycle contaminated water through an explosives residue-removal system. The Army injected "hot spots" of contamination substances to curtail the contamination.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} {{As of| 2014}}, TNT and RDX were still present.<ref name="GI" /> Construction of a primary water detention cell for flood control has been delayed by the slow cleanup.<ref name="GI">{{cite news |author1=Tracy Overstreet |date=10 December 2014 |title=Off-site RDX contamination cleanup completed |url=http://www.theindependent.com/news/local/off-site-rdx-contamination-cleanup-completed/article_78347f82-80f4-11e4-9dd3-cb4d4f8e1a33.html |access-date=13 December 2014 |work=Grand Island Independent |publisher=BH Media Group Holdings, Inc}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1870 = 1057
| 1880 = 2963
| 1890 = 7536
| 1900 = 7554
| 1910 = 10326
| 1920 = 13947
| 1930 = 18041
| 1940 = 19130
| 1950 = 22682
| 1960 = 25742
| 1970 = 32358
| 1980 = 33180
| 1990 = 39386
| 2000 = 42940
| 2010 = 48520
| 2020 = 53131
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 52622
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 24, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name=USCensus2020>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/grandislandcitynebraska,US/PST045221|title=United States Census Bureau QuickFacts|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 13, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov| access-date=2023-12-18 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> counted 65.146 people, 19,601 households, and 12,983 families in Grand Island. The population density was 1,765.7 per square mile (681.9/km{{sup|2}}). There were 20,758 housing units at an average density of 689.9 per square mile (266.4/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup was 65.82% (34,970) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 3.53% (1,876) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black or African-American]], 1.62% (859) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.31% (695) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% (35) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 17.33% (9,205) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 10.33% (5,491) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 32.0% (16,585) of the population.

Of the 19,601 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18; 46.5% were married couples living together; 25.2% had a female householder with no husband present. 27.5% of households consisted of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.1.

27.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 103.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 100.8 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov|access-date=2023-12-18|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> estimates show that the median household income was $56,513 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,441) and the median family income $66,755 (+/- $4,142). Males had a median income of $37,579 (+/- $2,047) versus $29,532 (+/- $1,595) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $33,197 (+/- $1,293). Approximately, 9.3% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.2% of those ages 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-06-24}}</ref> of 2010, there were 48,520 people, 18,326 households, and 11,846 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1707.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 19,426 housing units at an average density of {{convert|683.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 80.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 13.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 26.7% of the population.

There were 18,326 households, of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the city was 34.7 years. 27.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 42,940 people, 16,426 households, and 11,038 families living in the city.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} The population density was {{convert|2,000.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 17,421 housing units at an average density of {{convert|811.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 86.72% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.42% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.33% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.31% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.17% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 9.64% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.42% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 15.94% of the population.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

There were 16,426 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The median income for a household in the city was $36,044, and the median income for a family was $43,197. Males had a median income of $28,925 versus $20,521 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,071. About 9.9% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those aged 65 or over.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==Arts and culture==

===Nebraska State Fair===
In 2010, Grand Island became the home of the Nebraska State Fair.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nebraska State Fair |url=http://www.statefair.org/fair |publisher=Nebraska State Fair Park |access-date=2 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014082322/http://www.statefair.org/fair/ |archive-date=14 October 2009 }}</ref> Each year, the fair attracts thousands of people to the city, with a record attendance of over 300,000 in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2024 |title=2024 Nebraska State Fair had highest attendance in 7 years |url=https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/nebraska-news/2024-nebraska-state-fair-had-highest-attendance-in-7-years |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=Siouxland Proud}}</ref>
[[File:Sthurmuseum.jpg|thumb|253x253px|Exterior of the Stuhr Museum]]

===Stuhr Museum===
The Stuhr Museum, also known as the Museum of the Pioneer Prairie, is a museum located in southwestern Grand Island.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://stuhrmuseum.org/our-story/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=Stuhr Museum |language=en-US}}</ref> The museum houses over 140,000 artifacts from early settlers in central Nebraska, and features a [[living history]] village called Railroad Town. Railroad Town is designed to evoke an 1890s-era prairie village and made up of many original period structures moved to the museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Railroad Town |url=https://stuhrmuseum.org/tourrrtown.htm}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
There are several parks located within Grand Island. The most prominent of these include Stolley Park, and the George Clayton Hall County Park.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2024 |title=GIPARKS |url=https://www.giparks.com/}}</ref>

==Government==
{{see also|List of mayors of Grand Island, Nebraska}}
Grand Island has a [[mayor–council]] government. The mayor and a ten-member [[city council]] are elected in nonpartisan elections. Two members are elected from each of the city's five wards to staggered four-year terms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grand-island.com/page/city-council|title=Grand Island City Council|publisher=City of Grand Island, Nebraska |access-date=February 19, 2025}}</ref> At the most recent [[2022 Grand Island, Nebraska mayoral election|mayoral election]], incumbent Mayor Roger G. Steele was re-elected to a second term.

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Interstate 80 - Nebraska - 14416636976.jpg|thumb|Interstate 80 near Grand Island]]

===Transportation===

====Major highways====
[[Interstate 80 in Nebraska|Interstate 80]] is located {{convert|4|mi|0}} south of Grand Island. [[U.S. Route 281#Nebraska|U.S. Route 281]] is the main north-south route in the city, running through the city's west edge south to [[Hastings, Nebraska|Hastings]], and north to [[O'Neill, Nebraska|O'Neill]]. [[U.S. Route 30 in Nebraska|U.S. Route 30]] runs east-west through the center of Grand Island.

====Railways====
Located on the route of the [[first transcontinental railroad]], Grand Island is a major freight rail hub with more than 140 freight trains per day passing through the city on lines operated by [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]], [[BNSF Railway|BNSF]], and the [[Nebraska Central Railroad]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Railroad Hot Spot |url=https://visitgrandisland.com/plan-a-trip/things-to-do/railroad.html |website=Grand Island Tourism |access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref>

====Airport====
[[Central Nebraska Regional Airport]] is located in Grand Island. On September 4, 2008, [[Allegiant Air]] began nonstop service from Grand Island to [[McCarran International Airport|Las Vegas, Nevada]]. In June 2011, [[Envoy Air|American Eagle Airlines]] began providing service to [[DFW Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas]], twice daily.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hub.aa.com/en/nr/pressrelease/american-eagle-launches-nonstop-service-to-grand-island-neb-from-dallasfort-worth|title=Newsroom - Home - American Airlines Group, Inc.|website=Hub.aa.com|access-date=26 November 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920004116/http://hub.aa.com/en/nr/pressrelease/american-eagle-launches-nonstop-service-to-grand-island-neb-from-dallasfort-worth|archive-date=September 20, 2015}}</ref>

Intercity buses operated by [[Burlington Trailways]] and [[Express Arrow]] serve Grand Island.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://expressarrow.com/route-schedules/|title=Our Route Schedules|access-date=May 30, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://burlingtontrailways.com/locations/nebraska/|title=NEBRASKA The Cornhusker State|date=March 23, 2017 |access-date=May 30, 2023}}</ref>

The city's transit system is entirely demand-responsive, with rides requiring reservation 24 hours in advance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grand-island.com/your-government/public-works/transit|title=Transit - City of Grand Island, NE|website=www.grand-island.com|access-date=1 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073233/http://www.grand-island.com/your-government/public-works/transit|archive-date=2018-01-02}}</ref> As of 2023, Grand Island is the largest city in Nebraska without fixed-route public transit. Fixed route service was studied, but not recommended, in the GO Grand Island Transit 2023 Transit Development Plan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crane-transit.com/home/showpublisheddocument/31892/638157848437670000|title=GO Grand Island Transit Final Report February 2023|access-date=May 30, 2023}}</ref>

Grand Island also sports a total of fifteen [[Roundabout|traffic circles]], many of which are near each other. This system allows for particularly efficient through-traffic while sacrificing speed and barring transportation to some locations by certain, longer vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transportation Improvement Program {{!}} City of Grand Island, NE |url=https://www.grand-island.com/departments/public-works/metropolitan-planning-organization/transportation-improvement-program |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=www.grand-island.com |language=en}}</ref> Of these fifteen recorded roundabouts, fourteen are designated "official," while one is reportedly an "unofficial" insertion into the Grand Island's public transportation network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roundabout Information {{!}} City of Grand Island, NE |url=https://www.grand-island.com/departments/public-works/roundabout-information |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=www.grand-island.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Hospitals===
As of 2024, Grand Island is served by CHI Health St. Francis Hospital, with 153 beds.<ref>{{cite web |title=State of Nebraska Hospital Roster |url=https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Documents/Hospital%20Roster.pdf |access-date=18 June 2024 |publisher=Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services}}</ref>

The city is also served by Grand Island Regional Medical Center, which opened in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Steve |date=March 16, 2023 |title=Hospital that opened during pandemic welcomes Grand Island to visit |url=https://nebraska.tv/news/local/hospital-that-opened-during-pandemic-welcomes-grand-island-to-visit-bryan-health-grand-island-regional-medical-center-larry-speicher |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=NTV News}}</ref>

==Media==
{{main|Media in Grand Island, Nebraska}}

===Radio stations===
* [[KRGI (AM)]] 1430
* LA GRAN D 93.3
* [[KRGI-FM]] 96.5
* [[KRGY]] FM 97.3
* [[KKJK]] FM 103.1
* [[KSYZ-FM]] 107.7
* [https://thunderfm.rocks/ KMTY-FM] 97.7/99.7

==Education==
;School districts
All of the municipality is in [[Grand Island Public Schools]].<!--Census code is UNI 00016--><ref name=CensusSDMap>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st31_ne/schooldistrict_maps/c31079_hall/DC20SD_C31079.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hall County, NE|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=January 14, 2021|access-date=2025-09-15}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st31_ne/schooldistrict_maps/c31079_hall/DC20SD_C31079_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> [[Grand Island Senior High School (Nebraska)|Grand Island Senior High School]] is the comprehensive high school of that district.

[[Northwest Public Schools]]' facility, including, [[Northwest High School (Grand Island, Nebraska)|Northwest High School]], is within the city limits of Grand Island.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ginorthwest.org/|title=Home|publisher=[[Northwest Public Schools]]|access-date=2025-09-15|quote=2710 N North Road, Grand Island, NE 68803}}</ref><ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st31_ne/place/p3119595_grand_island/DC20BLK_P3119595.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Grand Island city, NE|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=April 11, 2021|access-date=2025-09-15}}</ref> However, none of the district's taxation and attendance boundary<!--Census code UNI 74580--> covers any part of the city limits.<ref name=CensusSDMap/>

; Private schools
* [[Central Catholic High School (Grand Island, Nebraska)|Central Catholic High School]]
* [[Heartland Lutheran High School]]

;Colleges and universities
*[[Central Community College (Nebraska)|Central Community College]]
*[[University of Nebraska at Kearney]]

==Notable people==
* [[Edith Abbott]], social worker
* [[Grace Abbott]], helped draft the [[Social Security Act]]
* [[Rick Allen (sportscaster)|Rick Allen]], NASCAR commentator for [[NBC Sports]]
* [[Parnelia Augustine]], painter
* [[Bil Baird]], puppeteer
* [[Dick Cavett]], former television talk show host
* [[Bob O. Evans|Bo Evans]], computer pioneer
* [[Joe Feeney]], [[tenor]] on ''[[The Lawrence Welk Show]]''
* [[Henry Fonda]], [[Academy Award]]-winning film actor<ref name=iron>{{cite book  | last =Bain  | first =David Haward  | title =The Old Iron Road: An Epic of Rails, Roads, and the Urge to Go West  | publisher =Penguin Books  | year =2004  | location =New York City, New York  | pages =60–2  | isbn =0-14-303526-6}}</ref>
* [[Channing Hill]], jockey
* [[Thomas Mangelsen]], Wildlife Photographer 
* [[George J. Marrett]], member Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame, [[test pilot]] and author
*[[G. P. Mix]], two-time [[Lieutenant Governor of Idaho|lieutenant governor of Idaho]]
*[[Gertrude Nafe]], teacher, essayist
* [[John Parrella]], former [[NFL]] player
* [[John Pedersen (arms designer)|John Pedersen]], arms designer
* [[Tom Rathman]], former [[NFL]] player
* [[Rebecca Richards-Kortum]], bioengineering professor and [[MacArthur Fellow]]<ref>[http://www.theindependent.com/news/local/former-g-i-resident-rebecca-richards-kortum-named-macarthur-genius/article_7cf0d824-81e5-11e6-b4af-cfb166f522cd.html "Former G.I. resident Rebecca Richards-Kortum named MacArthur ‘Genius{{'"}}.]  [http://www.theindependent.com/ ''Grand Island Independent''.]  September 23, 2016.  Retrieved June 24, 2017.</ref>
* [[Jeff Richardson (infielder)|Jeff Richardson]], baseball player
* [[Eve Ryder]], artist
* [[William Henry Thompson]], former U.S. Senator from Nebraska
* [[Edgar A. Wedgwood]], sheriff of [[Hall County, Nebraska]] and [[state adjutant general|adjutant general]] of the [[Utah National Guard]]<ref>{{cite news |date=February 1, 1920 |title=Soldier-Lawyer of Utah is Dead |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52014695/soldier-lawyer/ |work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] |location=Salt Lake City, UT |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |page=1 |ref={{sfnRef|"Soldier-Lawyer of Utah is Dead"}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |date=1890 |title=Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties, Nebraska |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t0dv1tm8c&view=2up&seq=728 |location=Chicago, IL |publisher=Goodspeed Publishing Co. |via=[[HathiTrust]] |pages=702–703|ref={{sfnRef|''Biographical and Historical Memoirs''}}}}</ref>
* [[Simeon Burt Wolbach]], pathologist

==See also==
{{portal|Nebraska}}
* [[List of municipalities in Nebraska]]
* [[Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on the meat industry in the United States]]
* [[Grand Island FCC Monitoring Station]]

==Notes==
{{notelist|2}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Grand Island, Nebraska}}
{{Wikivoyage|Grand Island (Nebraska)}}
* [http://www.grand-island.com/ City of Grand Island]
* [http://www.theindependent.com/ ''The Grand Island Independent Newspaper'']
* [http://www.gi.lib.ne.us Grand Island Public Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105025152/http://www.gi.lib.ne.us/ |date=January 5, 2008 }}

{{Hall County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska county seats}}
{{All-American City Award Hall of Fame}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Grand Island, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:1872 establishments in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Cities in Nebraska]]
[[Category:County seats in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Forts in Nebraska|Post at Grand Island]]
[[Category:Grand Island micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in Hall County, Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1872]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of Nebraska]]
[[Category:French-American history of Nebraska]]