Nebraska

Phelps

8,968
2020 population
1880
first census record
15
census records

About Phelps

Phelps, Nebraska, first appears in the United States federal census in 1880, when it recorded a population of 2,447. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 8,968.

Its recorded population peaked at 10,772 in 1900, and has since declined by roughly 17 percent.

On the ground today, one documented military engagement has been recorded within the county, among them Plum Creek Station Massacre 1864, and 5 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20208,968
20109,188
20009,747
19909,715
19809,769
19709,553
19609,800
19509,048
19408,452
19309,261
19209,900
191010,451
190010,772
18909,869
18802,447
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Phelps

Military engagements that took place in Phelps, Nebraska.

Plum Creek Station Massacre 1864
1864

Historic places in Phelps

National Register of Historic Places listings in Phelps, Nebraska.

C B & Q Holdrege Depot
Holdrege
Browse all Nebraskahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Nebraska

Explore census history and historic records for more Nebraska counties.

MadisonMcPhersonMerrickMonroeMorrillNanceNemahaNuckollsOtoePawneePerkinsPiercePlattePolkRed WillowRichardsonRockSalineSarpySaunders
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Phelps County, Nebraska

This page charts the census history of Phelps County, Nebraska. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Phelps County, Nebraska report
Or see a real report first

Explore Nebraska records

Nebraskahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Nebraska›

Frequently asked about Phelps

When does Phelps first appear in the US census?
Phelps, Nebraska first appears in the federal census in 1880, with a recorded population of 2,447.
What is the population of Phelps?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Phelps had a recorded population of 8,968.
When did Phelps's population peak?
Phelps's recorded population peaked at 10,772 in 1900.
Were any battles fought in Phelps?
1 documented military engagement took place in Phelps, including Plum Creek Station Massacre 1864.
How many historic places are in Phelps?
5 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Phelps, Nebraska.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report