Rock County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 1,262.[1] Its county seat is Bassett.[2]
Rock County | |
|---|---|
 Rock County Courthouse in Bassett | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska | |
 Nebraska's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 42°25′N 99°27′W / 42.42°N 99.45°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Nebraska |
| Founded | 1888 |
| Named for | Rock Creek, or its rocky soil |
| Seat | Bassett |
| Largest city | Bassett |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,012 sq mi (2,620 km2) |
| • Land | 1,008 sq mi (2,610 km2) |
| • Water | 3.4 sq mi (9 km2) 0.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 1,262 |
| • Density | 1.2/sq mi (0.48/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | www |
In the Nebraska license plate system, Rock County is represented by the prefix 81 (it had the 81st-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).
Geography
editThe Niobrara River flows eastward along the northern boundary line of Rock County. The terrain is composed of rolling hills oriented east–west. The county's central portion is dotted with small lakes. The land sees comparatively little agricultural use. The ground slopes to the northeast.[3][4]
The county has a total area of 1,012 square miles (2,620 km2), of which 1,008 square miles (2,610 km2) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5]
Rock County is located in Nebraska's Outback region.[6]
Major highways
edit
Adjacent counties
edit- Keya Paha County - north
- Boyd County - northeast
- Holt County - east
- Loup County - south
- Brown County - west
National protected areas
edit- John and Louise Seier National Wildlife Refuge
- Niobrara National Scenic River (part)
- Twin Lakes Rock County Wildlife Management Area[7]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 3,083 | — | |
| 1900 | 2,809 | −8.9% | |
| 1910 | 3,627 | 29.1% | |
| 1920 | 3,703 | 2.1% | |
| 1930 | 3,366 | −9.1% | |
| 1940 | 3,977 | 18.2% | |
| 1950 | 3,026 | −23.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,554 | −15.6% | |
| 1970 | 2,231 | −12.6% | |
| 1980 | 2,383 | 6.8% | |
| 1990 | 2,019 | −15.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,756 | −13.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,526 | −13.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,262 | −17.3% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 1,245 | −1.3% | |
| US Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010[12] [13] 2020-2022[12] | |||
As of the 2000 United States Census,[14] there were 1,756 people, 763 households, and 501 families in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 935 housing units at an average density of 0.9 units per square mile (0.35/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.03% White, 0.46% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.1% were of German, 12.7% American, 10.5% Irish and 8.4% English ancestry.
There were 763 households, out of which 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.84.
The county population contained 23.00% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 22.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,795, and the median income for a family was $29,917. Males had a median income of $24,167 versus $16,490 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,350. About 17.70% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.30% of those under age 18 and 14.00% of those age 65 or over.
Education
editRock County Public Schools operates the public schools in Rock County.
Communities
editCity
edit- Bassett (county seat)
Village
editUnincorporated communities
editPolitics
editRock County voters historically have been reliably Republican. In only one national election since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 744 | 88.36% | 84 | 9.98% | 14 | 1.66% |
| 2016 | 687 | 86.09% | 70 | 8.77% | 41 | 5.14% |
| 2012 | 672 | 85.17% | 103 | 13.05% | 14 | 1.77% |
| 2008 | 640 | 79.90% | 139 | 17.35% | 22 | 2.75% |
| 2004 | 740 | 83.81% | 130 | 14.72% | 13 | 1.47% |
| 2000 | 725 | 81.10% | 141 | 15.77% | 28 | 3.13% |
| 1996 | 564 | 63.73% | 180 | 20.34% | 141 | 15.93% |
| 1992 | 588 | 59.57% | 162 | 16.41% | 237 | 24.01% |
| 1988 | 757 | 79.10% | 198 | 20.69% | 2 | 0.21% |
| 1984 | 873 | 85.34% | 147 | 14.37% | 3 | 0.29% |
| 1980 | 855 | 80.74% | 146 | 13.79% | 58 | 5.48% |
| 1976 | 732 | 72.55% | 255 | 25.27% | 22 | 2.18% |
| 1972 | 937 | 87.16% | 138 | 12.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 791 | 76.72% | 146 | 14.16% | 94 | 9.12% |
| 1964 | 835 | 68.95% | 376 | 31.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,084 | 81.08% | 253 | 18.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 928 | 76.76% | 281 | 23.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 1,226 | 82.12% | 267 | 17.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 809 | 64.00% | 455 | 36.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 984 | 66.04% | 506 | 33.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 1,104 | 64.79% | 600 | 35.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 944 | 56.46% | 710 | 42.46% | 18 | 1.08% |
| 1932 | 613 | 42.42% | 810 | 56.06% | 22 | 1.52% |
| 1928 | 1,034 | 77.11% | 305 | 22.74% | 2 | 0.15% |
| 1924 | 585 | 47.33% | 293 | 23.71% | 358 | 28.96% |
| 1920 | 621 | 70.17% | 239 | 27.01% | 25 | 2.82% |
| 1916 | 375 | 42.66% | 449 | 51.08% | 55 | 6.26% |
| 1912 | 230 | 26.47% | 279 | 32.11% | 360 | 41.43% |
| 1908 | 469 | 56.37% | 334 | 40.14% | 29 | 3.49% |
| 1904 | 498 | 70.64% | 138 | 19.57% | 69 | 9.79% |
| 1900 | 481 | 65.71% | 243 | 33.20% | 8 | 1.09% |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Rock County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Rock County NE Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)
- ^ "Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "About", North Central RC&D.
- ^ Twin Lakes Rock County Wildlife Management Area, Bassett NE Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)
- ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ "QuickFacts".
- ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Election Results