Valentine, Nebraska
Valentine is a small city located in Cherry County on the northern tip of the Sandhills region, close to the Niobrara River in the US State of Nebraska. Despite its relatively small size, Valentine is naturally beautiful and has some of the most spectacular prairie landscapes situated in the Sandhills. It also offers its locals and visitors a wide range of entertaining outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. Tourism is the second economic activity in the city as floating down the Niobrara River on a canoe, tube, or kayak has become a popular adventure. Known as “America’s Heart City,” it is no wonder that Valentine is considered one of the most charming small towns in Nebraska.
Geography And Climate Of Valentine
Valentine is a small city situated in the north-central portion of the US State of Nebraska, in the Sandhills - a region composed of mixed-grass prairies and sand dunes. The Niobrara River runs through the city and is undammed from source to mouth. Valentine includes some of the tallest waterfalls in Nebraska; Smith Falls is the state’s largest at more than 19m tall, located in the Smith Falls State Park, about 24km east of Valentine. The city covers a total area of 5.83 sq. km, of which 0.08 sq. km is covered by water, and 5.75 sq. km is occupied by land.
As per the Köppen climate classification, Valentine experiences a humid continental climate, with hot summers and freezing, snowy, and windy winters. The average temperature varies between -11.1°C to 31.6°C and rarely goes below -21.6°C or above 37.7°C. The hot season extends from early June to mid-September, with July being the hottest month of the year. Average temperatures in July range between a high of 31.6°C and a low of 16.6°C. The cold season extends from late November to early March, with January being the coldest month of the year. Average temperatures in January range between a low of -10.5°C and a high of 2.2°C. Valentine’s wet season extends from mid-April to late August. Within this time period, three forms of precipitation fall in Valentine: rain alone, snow alone, or a mixture of both. In addition to being the coldest month of the year in Valentine, January is also the wettest month.
Brief History Of Valentine
Initially, Valentine seemed to be an unfavorable location to settle. There was a lack of vegetation for cattle, very little water beside the Niobrara River, and already a large Sioux population living in the area that settlers wanted to avoid. Two pieces of legislation, the Homestead Act 1962 and the Railroad Act came out 20 years before the foundation of Valentine and drove prosperity in the area. The Homestead Act 1962 inspired people to move to County Region with the promise of free land, and the Railroad Act allowed the construction of a transcontinental railroad to transport goods and people. In 1882, the area was named Valentine after the popular congressman Edward K. Valentine and was registered as a city in 1884. Despite being strongly hit by the Great Depression in the 1930s, Valentine continues to thrive and grow to this day.
The Population And Economy Of Valentine
Valentine is the 50th most populated city in Nebraska out of 581 cities and has a population of 2,768 people. The population consists of different ethnic groups, but most foreign-born residents are from Mexico, Guatemala, and India. The city’s unemployment rate is 1.6%, much less than the US average of 6.0%. However, a lower unemployment rate does not necessarily mean higher income, as the average income of a Valentine resident is $23,554 a year. This number is noticeably lower than the US average income of $28,555 a year. Additionally, the median household income in Valentine is $45,313 a year, which is also significantly lower than the US average of $53,482 a year.
Attractions In Valentine
The Niobrara National Scenic River is a top attraction that is not to be missed when visiting Valentine. However, Valentine has numerous other natural sites that are incomparable to other locations elsewhere in the world. One such location is the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge which is considered one of the largest national wildlife refuge areas in the United States. The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is an ecologically distinct habitat for various wildlife. It is home to 270 species of birds, 59 species of mammals, and 22 species of reptiles and amphibians. Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors with its hills, meadows, wetlands, lakes, and marshes that allow visitors to go bird watching, fishing, walking, hiking, or touring.