Deuel County lies on the south side of Nebraska. Its southern boundary abuts the northern boundary line of the state of Colorado. According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of, of which is land and is water. Since Deuel County lies in the western portion of Nebraska, its residents observe Mountain Time. The eastern portion of Nebraska observes Central Time.
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 2,098 people, 908 households, and 601 families in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile. There were 1,032 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 97.33% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 1.14% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 2.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 36.3% were of German, 10.7% Irish, 10.2% English, 10.0% Swedish and 9.5% American ancestry. There were 908 households out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couplesliving together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.80% were non-families. 31.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.87. The county population contained 23.30% under the age of 18, 4.90% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 22.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males. The median income for a household in the county was $32,981, and the median income for a family was $41,550. Males had a median income of $26,020 versus $19,479 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,891. About 5.30% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.
Deuel County voters have been strongly Republican for decades. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.
