About
Grand
Island|
City Home About
Grand
Island |
| About Grand Island |
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Welcome to Grand Island, Central Nebraska’s Platte River Oasis, offering tourist attractions, an active trade center, employment opportunities, and human service programs to the agriculturally based area population. Located in the center of the State, Grand Island is accessible to traffic from Interstate-80, US Highways 281, 30, and 34, and Nebraska Highway 2, as well as the Central Nebraska Regional Airport. It is known as the retail hub of central Nebraska, offering lodging, dining, shopping, entertainment, service programs, and information to the 30-plus rural communities in a 90-mile surrounding area. Grand Island is the fourth largest city in Nebraska, with an estimated population of 43,000. The community also serves residents in much of rural Nebraska including an area of over 20,000 square miles with an estimated population of over 200,000. Incorporated in 1872, Grand Island has a rich history reflected today in the stability of the community and the outstanding quality of life for its residents. More than 90 manufacturing plants provide jobs for over 7,000 people, drawing from a rural population base of talented and diverse workers. |
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Grand Island has maintained its status as
the fourth largest city in Nebraska for both the 1990 and 2000 United States
Census.
Source:
Regional Planning Department, City of Grand Island
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Grand Island experiences the distinct flavor of all four seasons, from the tentative blooming of spring flowers to the gorgeous display of fall splendor. Average
Annual:
Average temperatures:
Source:
“Normals, Means & Extremes for 1993”
Local Weather Service |
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Misc. travel routes |
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The City of Grand Island provides numerous opportunities for relaxation and family entertainment at City parks and recreational facilities. The Parks system includes 16 parks comprised of nearly 325 acres, as well as several mini-parks. Each park offers something special to the community including the amenities of: ball diamonds, bandstands, basketball courts, bicycling, boating, fishing, horseshoe courts, ice skating, playgrounds, outdoor skate park facility, sledding areas, swimming and wading pools, tennis courts, concessions, restrooms, picnic shelters and tables, drinking water, electricity, and grills. The state renowned Jackrabbit Run Golf Course, Island Oasis Water Park, Racquet Center, Skeet Range, Soccer Complex, and the new Hike/Bike Trail are additional examples of the immense investment Grand Island has made in local youth and families.
The
City of Grand Island provides the following
services and facilities:
To find out more about City of Grand Island Parks and Recreation please call 308-385-5444, ext. 290.
Privately
owned recreational facilities include: |
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Attractions:
More
information is available from
the:
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Grand Island has hundreds of service clubs and community organizations, which contribute to a strong sense of belonging for their members and promote support for the community. There are opportunities for involvement for youth, athletes, arts, politics, human services, professional groups, environmentalists, retired individuals, and many more. There are groups that focus on local issues and needs only, as well as groups known to communities nationwide. For more information on the clubs and organizations active in Grand Island contact the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce |
| Grand Island has 1 large indoor mall, multiple strip malls and plazas, a thriving Downtown with many unique shops, and small commercial outlets. Conestoga Mall, www.shopconestogamall.com, is the largest mall and serves both Grand Island and most of the surrounding rural Nebraska population. |
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Population Statistics |
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| Year | Population |
| 1994 | 41,050 |
| 1995 |
41,590 |
| 1996 | 42,490 |
| 1997 | 42,750 |
| 1998 | 43,350 |
| 1999 | 43,680 |
| 2000 | 44,000 |
| 2001 | 44,250 |
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Grand Island has one of the best school systems in the state. Community support for education is strong, as evidenced by recent building projects, fundraising for additional computers and donations of special equipment for handicapped students. In addition, increasing opportunities are available for higher education. As of September 2000, the Grand Island Public School District provided 14 elementary schools, three middle schools, and one senior high school. Grand Island is also served by Northwest High School, Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School, Heartland Lutheran High School, four private elementary schools, Central Community College, and College Park. Grand Island Public Schools administration offices are located at 123 S. Webb Rd. and can be reached at 308-385-5900 or www.gi.esu10.k12.ne.us. Central Community College, Grand Island Campus, is located at 3134 W. Highway 34, and provides higher education and vocational opportunities. A master’s level education is available on-site offered by the Bellevue University program. More information can be obtained at 308-398-4222 or www.cccneb.edu. College Park, located at 3180 W. Highway 34 in Grand Island, is a unique facility which provides bachelor and master degree programs from Doane College; associate and continuing education courses from Central Community College; research-based information in agriculture and natural resources, consumer and family economics, community and economic development and 4-H / youth development from the Hall County extension office; classes from the Central Nebraska Area Health Education Center; and the "Live from the Park" performing arts series hosted by College Park. More information is available at 308-385-6400 or http://collegepark.doane.edu. Other community educational opportunities include the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, an Adult Education Facility, and Joseph’s College of Beauty.
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The Grand Island Police Department provides municipal police services, including patrol, emergency response, investigation and apprehension of criminals/violators, crime prevention and community-based programs. The Police Department has 73 certified officers, all of whom contribute to the strong sense of safety enjoyed in Grand Island. In addition, programs such as School Resource Officer, D.A.R.E., McGruff, and Neighborhood Watch have made the Police Department more visible in the scope of normal community activities. Grand Island has four strategically placed fire stations, allowing the firefighters/paramedics a response time of 5 minutes anywhere in the City. GIFD consists of 69 certified staff members, including 39 firefighters, 25 paramedics, and 5 administrative and support staff members. All firefighters are trained as Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians, and there is always one paramedic on duty at all four stations. The City of Grand Island Fire Department serves four primary functions: Operations, Emergency Medical Services, Training, and Fire Prevention. The Department has a long history of commitment to emergency service, fire prevention and life safety education to the Community. |
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Housing Statistics |
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| Year | Average Price |
| 2001 | $ 103,000 |
| 2000 |
$ 91,042 |
*Source: Grand Island Board of Realtors
Average monthly lease rate for a 2-bedroom House:
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Housing Statistics |
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| Year | Median Price |
| 2000 | $ 485.00 |
| 1996 |
$ 319.00 |
Average monthly lease rate for a 2-bedroom Apartment:
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Housing Statistics |
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| Year | Median Price |
| 2000 | $ 485.00 |
| 1996 |
$ 319.00 |
*Source: Grand Island Board of Realtors
Annual Housing Starts:
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Housing Statistics |
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Year |
Median Price |
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2000 |
123 |
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1999 |
129 |
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1996 |
242 |
*Source: Grand Island Board of Realtors
For more information, please
contact
the Grand Island Board of Realtors
Median Household Income
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Income Statistics |
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Year |
Median Income |
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1997 |
$ 35,764 |
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1990 |
$25,764 |
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Sales Statistics |
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Year |
Grand Island |
Hall County |
| 1990 | $ 410,503,487 | $ 425,714,997 |
| 1994 | $ 523,347,306 | $ 541,942,358 |
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1996 |
$ 552,142,021 |
$ 571,039,562 |
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1998 |
$ 615,071,927 | $ 640,902,862 |
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1999 |
$ 626,373,006 | $ 649,203,719 |
*Nebraska Department of Revenue
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Grand Island has 8 established industrial areas, which are in locations accessible to traditional modes of transportation such as water, rail and highway. The main industrial areas are:
Manufacturing and
retail
positions make-up the majority of employee opportunities in the county.
Grand
Island/Hall County has 84 manufacturing plants with a total of 7,151
employees.
Unemployment in the County is low at 2.1% with a total employment
force of
30,556. |
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Grand Island has one local newspaper, The Grand Island Independent, which has served the community since 1870, opened for business 13 years after the community was settled. The Independent is a daily publication, reporting local, area, state and national news. |
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