Gothenburg is a city in Dawson County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Lexington, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,619 at the 2000 census. Gothenburg was founded in 1882 by Olof Bergstrom and is noted for its Swedish heritage. Gothenburg, Nebraska is named after Gothenburg, Sweden. Gothenburg is also where Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek attended high school.