Townapedia
McCook, Nebraska Norris from E 1
McCook, Nebraska Norris from E 1 · Ammodramus, Public domain
Episcopalian Church in McCook (Nebraska)
Episcopalian Church in McCook (Nebraska) · JTSH26, CC BY-SA 4.0
McCook station building, June 2022
McCook station building, June 2022 · David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
McCook station, June 2022
McCook station, June 2022 · David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
George Norris House from SE 2
George Norris House from SE 2 · Ammodramus, Public domain
Keystone Hotel (McCook, Nebraska) from SE 2
Keystone Hotel (McCook, Nebraska) from SE 2 · Ammodramus, Public domain

McCook, Nebraska

McCook is a city of 7,314 people in Red Willow County, Nebraska, founded in 1882.

Loading the weather...
Population7,314 -3.6% since 2019
Elevation2,572 ft 784 m
Founded1882
Land area5.7 sq mi
ZIP code69001
Nearest airportMcCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport (MCK) 2 mi

Why visit McCook

Townapedia lists 7 museums and landmarks, 11 parks and trails, 7 places to eat, 5 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.

Highlights include Cinema 3 Theatre, George W. Norris House, Harvey P. Sutton House and Bennett Park.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 91°F; January lows average 16°F.

About McCook

McCook is a city in and the county seat of Red Willow County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 7,446 at the 2020 census.

From the Wikipedia article McCook, Nebraska (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do1

Cinema 3 Theatre

Cinema and theater · 1.3 mi

Open in Google Maps

Museums and landmarks7

George W. Norris House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Historic house in Nebraska, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Harvey P. Sutton House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

McCook, Nebraska

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Keystone Hotel

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi

Historic hotel building in McCook, Nebraska, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

McCook Public-Carnegie Library

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Historic building in McCook, Nebraska, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

McCook YMCA

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Clubhouse in McCook, United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Red Willow County Courthouse

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Courthouse in McCook, Nebraska

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Museum of the High Plains

Museum

421 Norris Avenue, McCook

Open in Google Maps

Parks, trails and playgrounds11

Bennett Park

Park · 1.1 mi

Mo-Su 06:00-23:00

Open in Google Maps

Elks Ball Park

Park · 0.4 mi

Open in Google Maps

Elks City Park

Park · 0.6 mi

Open in Google Maps

Felling Park

Park · 0.4 mi

Open in Google Maps

Jaycees Ball Park

Park

Open in Google Maps

Senator George Norris State Historical Site

Park

Open in Google Maps

Weiland Field

Park

Open in Google Maps

Heritage Hills Golf Course

Golf course · 1.7 mi

Open in Google Maps

Karrer Park

Park · 1.1 mi

Open in Google Maps

Kelley Park

Park · 0.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

Norris Park

Park

Open in Google Maps

Advertisement

Restaurants and cafes7

Pizza Hut

Restaurant · Pizza · 1.3 mi

811 North Highway 83, McCook

Open in Google Maps · +1 308-345-4150

Scoop

Ice cream · 1.0 mi

Open in Google Maps

Subway

Fast food · Sandwich · 1.3 mi

216 Westview Plaza, McCook

09:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 308-345-2322

Wendy's

Fast food · Burger · 1.3 mi

226 Westview Plaza, McCook

07:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 308-920-8057

Arby's

Fast food · Sandwich · 1.0 mi

Mo-Su 07:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps

McDonald's

Fast food · Burger · 1.2 mi

Open in Google Maps

Runza

Fast food · Sandwich, Burger · 1.3 mi

Runza fast food restaurant

802 N Highway 83

Open in Google Maps

History

McCook was platted in 1882 when the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad was extended to that point. It was named in honor of Alexander McDowell McCook, a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

On May 17, 2019, a large EF2 tornado tore through parts of McCook, Nebraska. It destroyed a farmhouse, tearing off the roof and completely demolishing the garage. The storm formed around 4:30 p.m. Central Time and quickly developed into a large, wedge tornado. There were no fatalities or severe injuries. The storm was called the Perry EF2, originally forming in Perry, Nebraska.

From the History section of McCook, Nebraska on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay5

Churches and places of worship24

Advertisement

Shopping1

Gas and EV charging2

Schools, colleges and libraries13

Advertisement

Healthcare1

Map of McCook

72 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

20°40°60°80°January: 0.3 in of rainFebruary: 0.3 in of rainMarch: 0.9 in of rainApril: 1.8 in of rainMay: 3.1 in of rainJune: 3.1 in of rainJuly: 3.3 in of rainAugust: 3.1 in of rainSeptember: 1.6 in of rainOctober: 1.4 in of rainNovember: 0.6 in of rainDecember: 0.4 in of rainJanuary: 41°FFebruary: 45°FMarch: 56°FApril: 65°FMay: 75°FJune: 86°FJuly: 91°FAugust: 89°FSeptember: 81°FOctober: 68°FNovember: 53°FDecember: 42°FJanuary: 16°FFebruary: 18°FMarch: 27°FApril: 36°FMay: 48°FJune: 58°FJuly: 64°FAugust: 62°FSeptember: 52°FOctober: 38°FNovember: 25°FDecember: 17°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRain
Jan41°F16°F0.3 in
Feb45°F18°F0.3 in
Mar56°F27°F0.9 in
Apr65°F36°F1.8 in
May75°F48°F3.1 in
Jun86°F58°F3.1 in
Jul91°F64°F3.3 in
Aug89°F62°F3.1 in
Sep81°F52°F1.6 in
Oct68°F38°F1.4 in
Nov53°F25°F0.6 in
Dec42°F17°F0.4 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Mccook Muni Ap (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$56,917median household income
$154,300median home value
$823median monthly rent
41.2median age
25.5%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
66.3%of homes are owner-occupied
9.1 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1822%18 to 3421%35 to 6437%65 and over21%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Red Willow County has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2024-08-20: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2022-04-23: Road 702 Fire (Fire)
  • 2020-04-04: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2017-06-26: Severe Winter Storm And Straight-Line Winds (Severe Storm)
  • 2011-08-12: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport (MCK) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.

  • Indianola 11 mi east, about 17 min by car
  • Culbertson 12 mi west, about 19 min by car
  • Bartley 17 mi east, about 27 min by car
  • Trenton 21 mi west, about 33 min by car
  • Cambridge 25 mi east, about 40 min by car
  • Oberlin 27 mi south, about 43 min by car
  • Palisade 27 mi west, about 44 min by car
  • Atwood 35 mi southwest, about 57 min by car
  • Norton 46 mi southeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
  • Gothenburg 55 mi northeast, about 1 h 30 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

Loading what members have shared...

Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.