• A hard-working people
    A hard-working people

    We work hard in Nebraska, but we also know when to take a break and refresh ourselves to be at our best the next day. This group of youth is relaxing under a tree at Stuhr Museum.

  • Cornerstone of the community
    Cornerstone of the community

    The Hall County Courthouse in Grand Island watches over downtown. It was designed by architect Thomas Rogers Kimball and completed in 1904.

  • Truth in the lore
    Truth in the lore

    There is truth to the stereotype of Midwestern hospitality. We smile a lot and often wave as we pass each other on the highway.

  • Built up out of the prairie
    Built up out of the prairie

    Grand Island exemplifies a railroad town that fought through numerous hardships to get to where it is today.

Community & County Profile

Grand Island is Nebraska’s largest city outside of the Omaha & Lincoln Metropolitan area; it's the third largest retail trade center in Nebraska. Local government is handled by the Mayor, City Council, and County Board of Supervisors. Grand Island is a three-time All-American City (1955, 1967 & 1981), and was named Outstanding Nebraska Community in 1997. World Trade Magazine has ranked Grand Island 9th in the Top 10 List of Smaller Communities with an excellent quality of life.

There is truth to the stereotype of Midwestern hospitality. We smile a lot and often wave as we pass each other on the highway.

The city is served by 19 public and 7 private schools. Post-secondary educational instittions include Central Community College, College Park – (Doane & Bellevue Adult Education Facility), and the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center. 56 churches are in and around Grand Island.

Hall County is in the Central Time Zone and includes the communities of Alda, Cairo, Doniphan, Grand Island, and Wood River.

Population (2010 US Census)

  • Grand Island — 49,520
  • Hall County — 58,607

Top Five Employers

  • Swift & Company: 3,500 employees
  • Chief Industries: 1,641 employees
  • St Francis Medical Center: 1,300 employees
  • Case IH (formerly Case New Holland): 750 employees
  • McCain Foods, USA: 546 employees

Information — Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation

 

A profile of Grand Island

EXPLORE GRAND ISLAND

  • The prairies around Grand Island were settled by pioneers from Iowa through a business venture that was anticipating the arrival of the railroad. Stuhr Museum tells that story.

  • Stepping into the immaculate and original art-deco interior of the Grand Theatre is just like stepping back into the 1930s when the theatre was built.

  • After being devastated by seven tornadoes in one night, Grand Island created this recreational monument out of the debris.

HOSPITALITY