This Little Nebraska Town Is One Of The Happiest Places In America
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Delana Lefevers
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We all know that Nebraska is one of the happiest places in the nation; it’s topped lists of the happiest states for years. In late 2017, WalletHub named Nebraska the #5 happiest state, only coming in behind Minnesota, Utah, Hawaii, and California. That’s a pretty big honor! Even before that, the 2012 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index determined that Lincoln was the happiest city in the entire U.S.
You don't have to live in the capital city to enjoy the benefits of living in such a happy place, though. In fact, the small city of Wayne is one of the happiest in the state based on factors like crime rates, job satisfaction, income, housing prices, and average education level. Come see why Wayne is such a delightful place to live.
Wayne began life as a railroad town in 1881. Today, many historic buildings remain throughout the town. The entire downtown commercial district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wayne's population has grown at almost every census, and today there are around 5,600 residents.
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Wayne is the county seat of Wayne County, and the 1899-built courthouse remains one of the most beautiful and distinctive historic buildings in the area.
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If you're interested in learning more about Wayne County, the Wayne County Museum is the perfect place to go. It's housed in a historic mansion decorated in early 1900s fashion, and it's full of fascinating objects from the town's and county's past. The museum is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day every year. Find it at 702 Lincoln St in Wayne.
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Wayne might be best known for Wayne State College, a four-year public college that offers more than 90 degree programs. The college employs many of the town's residents and offers some unique facilities to the public like the Fred G. Dale Planetarium.
There's never a shortage of things to do in Wayne. The annual Wayne Chicken Show is a whimsical celebration of the season that attracts folks from all over.
Other community events take place all year long. The summer farmers market is a local favorite, but holiday celebrations, town and county events, and local sporting events are always going on.
For a relatively small city, Wayne has a wealth of great businesses and local restaurants to visit. Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company is an especially notable business as it is Nebraska's only benefit corporation brewery. This means that the company promises to reinvest 10% of their profits into rural Nebraska, use environmentally friendly production methods, and maintain a fair and honest wage for employees.
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Wayne boasts an impressive 11 city parks, including a swimming pool, walking trail, playgrounds, and skate park. No matter what your age or interests, there's an awesome outdoor adventure awaiting you in Wayne.
There are so many terrific things about Wayne that it would be hard to name them all. So talk to us, Nebraska – what’s your favorite thing about the town of Wayne?
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