Knox County Nebraska 12
Knox County, Nebraska
Knox County is located in the northeastern corner of Nebraska, bordering South Dakota along the Missouri River to the north. The county encompasses 1,140 square miles of rolling prairie, wooded river bluffs, and productive farmland that has supported agricultural communities for over 165 years. Knox County is home to Lewis and Clark Lake — formed by Gavins Point Dam — and the Niobrara–Missouri River confluence, making it one of northeast Nebraska's premier outdoor recreation destinations.
The county's 16 communities range from the Czech heritage villages of Verdigre and Wausa to the historic river town of Niobrara, the outdoor recreation hub of Crofton, and the Santee Sioux Nation along the Missouri River. The county seat is Center, one of the smallest county seats in Nebraska by population. Creighton, the county's largest city, serves as the commercial and healthcare hub, anchored by Avera Creighton Hospital.
Knox County is crossed by U.S. Highway 20 (east-west through Bloomfield and Creighton), Nebraska Highway 12 (the Lewis and Clark Highway along the northern Missouri River corridor), and Nebraska Highway 84 (north-south through Center and Creighton). The county is part of the Northeast Nebraska (Lewis & Clark) region.
Towns in Knox County
Browse all Knox County towns: Knox County Towns →
Creighton, Nebraska 68729
Knox County's largest city on US-20 and NE-84. Named for telegraph pioneer Edward Creighton; home of Avera Creighton Hospital and the Knox County Fair.
Pop: ~1,174 | Highways: US-20, NE-84 | Designation: City
Bloomfield, Nebraska 68718
City on US-20 in western Knox County. Agricultural hub with West Knox Public Schools serving the western county.
Pop: ~1,023 | Highways: US-20, NE-84 | Designation: City
Crofton, Nebraska 68730
Village near Lewis and Clark Lake — Knox County's outdoor recreation gateway for walleye fishing, boating, hunting, and camping on NE-12.
Pop: ~721 | Highways: NE-12, NE-121 | Designation: Village
Santee, Nebraska 68760
Home of the Santee Sioux Nation (Niobrara Reservation) along the Missouri River bluffs on NE-12. One of northeast Nebraska's most historically significant communities.
Pop: ~714 | Highways: NE-12 | Designation: Village
Wausa, Nebraska 68786
Village with Czech and Bohemian heritage in eastern Knox County on NE-57. Part of the Czech cultural corridor of northeast Nebraska.
Pop: ~575 | Highways: NE-57 | Designation: Village
Niobrara, Nebraska 68760
Historic village at the Niobrara–Missouri River confluence. Gateway to Niobrara State Park and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on NE-12.
Pop: ~356 | Highways: NE-12, US-281 | Designation: Village
Verdigre, Nebraska 68783
Czech Kolach Capital of Nebraska on US-20. Home of the World's Largest Kolache and the annual Kolach Days festival celebrating Czech heritage.
Pop: ~298 | Highways: US-20, NE-39 | Designation: Village
Center, Nebraska 68724
County seat of Knox County on NE-84. Home of the Knox County Courthouse; one of the smallest county seats in Nebraska by population.
Pop: ~76 | Highways: NE-84 | Designation: Village, County Seat
Winnetoon, Nebraska 68789
Small village on NE-14 south of Creighton. One of the "planet communities" of Knox County, near Mars and Venus.
Pop: ~62 | Highways: NE-14 | Designation: Village
Verdel, Nebraska 68760
Small village on NE-12 between Niobrara and Boyd County, along the Missouri River bluffs Lewis and Clark Highway corridor.
Pop: ~41 | Highways: NE-12 | Designation: Village
Bazile Mills, Nebraska 68729
Small village on NE-84 north of Creighton, named for Bazile Creek. Near Bazile Creek State Wildlife Management Area.
Pop: ~59 | Highways: NE-84 | Designation: Village
Lindy, Nebraska 68760
Census-designated place near Niobrara in the northern Knox County Missouri River corridor on NE-12.
Mars, Nebraska 68789
Small unincorporated community in south-central Knox County on NE-14, one of the "planet communities" near Winnetoon and Venus. ZIP: 68789.
Venus, Nebraska 68789
Small unincorporated community near Winnetoon and Mars in south-central Knox County. ZIP: 68789.
Pischellville, Nebraska
Small unincorporated community in interior Knox County on NE-84 near Center.
Saint Charles, Nebraska
Small unincorporated community in northern Knox County along the NE-12 Missouri River corridor near Niobrara.
Knox County Cameras
View live traffic and weather cameras along NE-12, US-20, and the Missouri River corridor in Knox County.
Travel Corridors
U.S. Highway 20 — East-west through Bloomfield, Creighton, and Verdigre connecting northeast Nebraska. US-20 Corridor →
Nebraska Highway 12 (Lewis and Clark Highway) — Along the northern Missouri River corridor through Niobrara, Santee, Verdel, Lindy, and Crofton. NE-12 Corridor →
Nebraska Highway 84 — North-south through Center, Creighton, and Bazile Mills.
Knox County Business Directory
Find restaurants, lodging, health services, and local businesses across Knox County.
Browse Knox County Directory →
Creighton Area Listings · Crofton Area Listings · Niobrara Area Listings · All Listings
Region & Adjacent Counties
Region: Northeast Nebraska (Lewis & Clark)
Adjacent Counties:
Cedar County (east) · Pierce County (southeast) · Antelope County (south) · Holt County (west) · Boyd County (northwest)
Knox County also borders South Dakota: Bon Homme County (north), Yankton County (northeast), Charles Mix County (northwest).
