Ainsworth, county seat of Brown County, is located in the north-central part of Nebraska, approximately 267 miles from Omaha, NE; 400 miles from Denver, CO; and 200 miles from Sioux City, IA. When Nebraska was admitted to the union in 1867, all of the area around Ainsworth was known as Sioux County and was attached to Holt County. Cattlemen and ranchers were first to settle in the area and came ahead of the railroad in the 1870's.

Ainsworth is named for Captain James E. Ainsworth, chief construction engineer of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad, who arrived at the town site in June 1882. Pioneers were pushing west, setting up shops and businesses. Many also were filing for homesteads on the freeland, claiming 160 acres under provisions that certain improvements be made. Ainsworth was incorporated as a village on December 2, 1883.

Today, Ainsworth is the home of many businesses and is a major trade center for the surrounding area.