Johnson

Formed January 1, 1855 (13^th county)

Johnson County (5,287), Tecumseh (1,701)

The 1888 red brick and stone Classical Revival and Romanesque building stands out in the city.  It is on a square surrounded by 3^rd, Clay, 4^th, and Broadway streets.  United States Highway 136 travels two blocks to the north of the courthouse.  The architect is William M. Gray.  A domed tower tops the structure.  On the grounds are veteran memorials, a tank, and a naval gun.  There were 1857 and 1868 versions of the courthouse previously.  The county was established on January 1, 1855 from parts of Nemaha and Otoe counties as the 13^th county.  Tecumseh has always been the county seat.  Johnson County is named for United States Vice President Richard M. Johnson.  The county seat is named for the Native American chief. 

Johnson County government consists of a sheriff, an attorney, a treasurer and a clerk (executive).  It has 3 Commissioners (legislative.)  Three District Court Judges serve Johnson, Clay, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline and Thayer counties and Three County Court Judges serve Johnson, Gage, Jefferson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, and Thayer counties (judicial.)  The county is located in the southeast part of the state.  Omaha, Nebraska is north and Lincoln, Nebraska is northwest of the county.  The county center is 7.8 miles West of Tecumseh nearer Saint Mary.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Otoe, Nemaha, Pawnee, Gage, and Lancaster counties. 

The area of the county is 376 square miles.  It is 90 out of 93 in the state.  It ranks 53 out of 93 in population in the state.  It has a density of 14.1 persons per square mile making it 32 out of 93 in the state.  Johnson County has 49.4% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 136 passes east to west in the county from Nemaha County to Gage County.  Johnson County is a rectangle.  Tecumseh is located in the southeast quarter of the county.  Tecumseh is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 32.2% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced TE-KUM-SEE.