Ord is located in Valley County (of which it is the county seat), situated at the Hwy 11/70 junction, between Loup City and Burwell, near the Calamus River and Calamus State Recreation Area.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 2,238, a decrease of 243 since 1990.
The town was laid out in 1874 on land purchased from the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company. General E.O.C. Ord, in command of the military along the Platte, had made a trip up the North Loup Valley to select a site for a fort, so the new town was named "Ord," in his honor.
Popular attractions in Ord include: Happy Jack Chalk Mines, Fort Hartsuff, Calamus Dam and Fish Hatchery, Valley County Museum, Ord Golf Course, Ord Swimming Pool, boating & tubing, hunting and of course fishing.