Thedford, Nebraska

Thedford is a village and county seat of Thomas County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 208 at the 2020 census.

History
Thedford was established in 1887 when the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was extended to that point, at which time the new town was designated county seat. It was probably named after Thedford, Ontario, Canada. Thedford was incorporated as a village in 1914.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.23 sqmi, all land.

Thedford is at the junction of U.S. Route 83 and Nebraska Route 2.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 188 people, 93 households and 52 families residing in the village. The population density was 817.4 /sqmi. There were 118 housing units at an average density of 513.0 /sqmi. The racial make-up was 100.0% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 93 households, of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.1% were non-families. 43.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.69.

The median age was 44.7 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.2% were from 25 to 44; 26% were from 45 to 64; and 22.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender make-up was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census. there were 211 people, 101 households and 65 families residing in the village. The population density was 865.9 /sqmi. There were 126 housing units at an average density of 517.1 /sqmi. The racial make-up was 99.53% White and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.37% of the population.

There were 101 households, of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.7% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.65.

17.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median household income was $29,583 and the median family income was $44,063. Males had a median income of $30,500 and females $20,938. The per capita income was $18,300. None of the families and 0.9% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 3.4% of those over 64.

Economy
In 2024, the municipality had one convenience store, two banks, two hotels, and one restaurant. Pearson Livestock Equipment Company formerly made cattle chutes in town for the livestock industry. Additionally, there is now a photography studio, custom cowboy hat maker, and new coffee shop, Anthem Coffee. There is a lumber yard, a Dollar General store, and a long time staple of a grocery store named Ewoldt's, which now offers river tubing and tanking.

Education
Thedford Public Schools is the local school district. Some of the school activities are combined with a nearby school named Sandhills, which is in Dunning. The combined schools' activities mascot is the Sandhills-Thedford Knights.