Nebraska Counties: History and Information

Find a brief history of Nebraska Counties

Nebraska has 93 counties, 66 of which have a commissioner-precinct form of government. These 66 are each governed by a board of commissioners with three or five members, elected for four-year terms. The rest of the counties have a supervisor- township form of government. These are governed by seven-member boards of supervisors, also elected to four-year terms.

There are 532 cities and villages, or municipalities, in Nebraska. Most cities have a mayor-council form of government, while exceptions like Nebraska City have a commissioner form of government, and several others use the council-manager form. Most villages are governed by a fi ve-member board of trustees. Nebraska's constitution grants the option of home rule to cities with more than 5,000 residents, meaning they may operate under their own charters. To date, only Lincoln and Omaha have used this option.