About Our County

History & Heritage

  • Founded: Originally named Greene County in 1855; renamed Seward County in 1862 after U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward.
  • County Seat: Seward, established in 1867 by Lewis Moffitt.
  • Incorporated: April 5, 1870.
  • Railroad Arrival: The Midland Pacific Railroad reached Seward in 1874, boosting growth.
  • Historic District: Includes the Seward County Courthouse (1904–1906), Carnegie Library, and several 19th–20th century buildings.
  • Fourth of July Fame: Seward is officially recognized as:
    • Nebraska’s Fourth of July City (1973)
    • National Fourth of July City – Small Town U.S.A. (1979)

County Facts & Features

  • Location: Southeastern Nebraska, part of the Lincoln metro area.
  • Size: 576 square miles.
  • Population: ~17,671 (2023 estimate).
  • Landscape: Rolling hills, agriculture, and the Big Blue River.
  • Wildlife Areas:
    • Bur Oak State WMA
    • Freeman Lakes WPA
    • North Lake Basin
    • Oak Glen
    • Tamora WPA
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