At one time, Nebraska used the tourism slogan “Where the West Begins,” to bill itself as the bridge between the Upper Midwest’s wooded hillsides and the West’s desert terrain. Over the past decade, a steady migration of residents from rural areas to urban cities has occurred. Known by people in this part of the country as “rural flight,” the state of Nebraska has put into place tax breaks and offers of free land as enticements to newcomers. Despite the population shift, the state continues to grow at a steady rate, with cities such as Omaha and Lincoln experiencing substantial positive gains in their residential, industrial and commercial sectors.
      Approximately 1.8 million people currently reside in Nebraska. Affectionately known as Cornhuskers, the history of the state and its citizens is primarily the story of the Nebraskan farmer. The largest business sector is agriculture, leading the way in beef, pork, corn (maize) and soybeans production. Other important economic sectors include freight transport by rail and truck, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology and insurance. This has led to improvements in Nebraska’s roads and highways, many of which serve to connect the rest of the world to this state’s world-renowned agricultural products.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Cornhusker State State Capital: Lincoln State Flower: Goldenrod State Bird: Western Meadowlark

      Nebraska has more miles of river than any other state, highlighted by both the Platte and Missouri River, for boating, fishing, canoeing, swimming and camping. Many of the rivers also traverse through the state’s beautiful national parks. Among them are Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, California National Historic Trail and Lewis & Clark Historic Trail.
      Bordered by South Dakota to the north, Iowa and Missouri to the east, Kansas to the south,

Colorado to the southwest and Wyoming to the west, residents of Nebraska’s 93 counties are within short flight or reasonable driving distances to many of the larger metropolitan cities in these states. Nebraska is comprised of two major land regions, known as the Dissected Till Plains and the Great Plains. The Dissected Till Plains is a region of gently rolling hills and is where the state’s two largest cities, Lincoln and Omaha are located.
      For Nebraskans, the most popular sport is college football, epitomized by the University of Nebraska’s football program. The university also aids in making Lincoln the state’s cultural center boasting on-campus offerings as well as several performing arts centers, museums and theatres. Despite it being a college town, residents of all kinds are drawn here and a strong sense of community has been established, connecting the university’s student body with area residents. Surrounding the university are moderately priced homes in very attractive neighborhoods and the tree-lined streets are dotted by a variety of specialty shops, trendy stores, retail centers, coffee shops, restaurants and bars.
      Omaha also has a proud sports tradition and hosts the annual NCAA Baseball World Series. Larger than Lincoln, Omaha offers residents a very diverse, yet affordable selection of housing styles and residential communities that are both newly designed or steeped in tradition. Omaha’s business community is also very diverse, offering residents employment opportunities that are not always found in other parts of the state. Many of the state’s largest employers are based in Omaha as are a variety of privately owned business. Omaha also features its own mix of entertainment centers and recreational facilities for people of all ages to enjoy. From community aquatic centers to sports arenas for junior level hockey teams, collegiate athletics or professional sports organizations, Omaha is a very exciting city in which to reside.

      Other academic institutions scattered throughout the state that have a positive impact in the communities in which they are located include the University of Creighton, Hastings College, Nebraska Wesleyan University and Metropolitan Community College. These schools promote stability by serving to enhance each community’s arts and cultural efforts, provide jobs, as well as enable residents to pursue their educations without traveling far from home.
      Overall, nearly 70% of the state’s residents live in either Omaha or Nebraska, or the surrounding areas just outside these two cities. Because of this, the majority of the state is dominated by well-maintained farmland which will continue to serve as Nebraska’s primary economic driver.