22 2 0 2 1 – 2 0 2 5 S TAT E W I D E C O M P R E H E N S I V E O U T D O O R R E C R E AT I O N P L A N
Running in the Morel Mile, a fun run/walk event at Indian Cave State Park. (Richardson County)
Region 2
The boot-shaped Southeast Region depicted in Figure 2.4 contains
just over 7% of Nebraskans within 14 counties. Sixty percent of these
Nebraskans live in just five of the 14 counties, which are Gage, Otoe,
Saline, Seward and York. The Platte River shapes the northernmost
edge of this region and the Missouri River shapes the east. The lowest
elevation point in Nebraska, of 840 feet, is in the southeast corner of
Richardson County. Wooded bluffs can be found on the eastern side
of this region, which then open to rolling hills, farmland, and tallgrass
prairie to the west. In addition to state recreation areas and parks, the
Southeast Region is home to Homestead National Monument and many
recreation and park areas managed by NRDs and local communities.
The population of Region 2 is older than the state average, with 47% of
residents age 45 and older. Just over 55% have a level of educational
attainment beyond high school, and 50% have an average household
income of $50,000 or more. The Southeast is the least racially and
ethnically diverse region after Region 7 with 91% of the residents
being white. The proximity to the highly populated Metro region
provides potential opportunity to attract visitors by developing outdoor
recreation. To tap into this opportunity, communities in this region
should consider the Metro region's demographics when planning for
outdoor recreation.
