Aerial view of the Sarpy County Law Enforcement
Center, left, and Sarpy County Courthouse, right
Sarpy County is located on the eastern border of Nebraska along the western bank of the Missouri River. It is comprised of 236 square miles of rich agricultural land and a rapidly growing urban population. Sarpy County is a unique county in that it is surrounded on three sides by water. The western and southern boundaries are formed by the Platte River. The eastern border is formed by the Missouri River.
Sarpy County is comprised of primarily agricultural land with a 2000 Census total population of 122,595. According to July 1, 2003 Census estimates, Sarpy County had a population of 132,476 people. Approximately 48% resided in rural areas and 52% in urban areas. The City of Bellevue is a first class city with a population of 44,382 (37.8%) including recently annexed areas. Bellevue focuses on industry, business, local government, and Offutt AFB, which is located on Bellevue's southern border and serves as headquarters of the US Strategic Command. The City of Gretna is a second class city with a population of 2,355 (2.1%) and is primarily an agricultural city. The City of LaVista is a first class city with a population of 11,699 (9.7%) and focuses on industry and business. The City of Papillion is a first class city with a population of 16,363 (9.9%) and focuses on business and industry. The City of Springfield is a second class city with a population of 1,473 (1.3%) and is primarily a rural community. Chalco, with a 1990 estimated population of 7,337, is currently unincorporated but has the characteristics of an urban city and could incorporate. Therefore, the remaining 39.2% of Sarpy County residents live in unincorporated and rural areas of the county. The median household income for residents of Sarpy County, based on 2000 Census estimates, is $53,804.