Rock County, Nebraska

Rock County
Rock County Courthouse in Bassett
Map of Nebraska highlighting Rock County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Map of the United States highlighting Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°25′N 99°27′W / 42.42°N 99.45°W / 42.42; -99.45
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1888
Named forRock Creek, or its rocky soil
SeatBassett
Largest cityBassett
Area
 • Total1,012 sq mi (2,620 km2)
 • Land1,008 sq mi (2,610 km2)
 • Water3.4 sq mi (9 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,262
 • Density1.2/sq mi (0.48/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.rockcountynebraska.org

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]

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[edit]

The 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]

National protected areas[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18903,083
19002,809−8.9%
19103,62729.1%
19203,7032.1%
19303,366−9.1%
19403,97718.2%
19503,026−23.9%
19602,554−15.6%
19702,231−12.6%
19802,3836.8%
19902,019−15.3%
20001,756−13.0%
20101,526−13.1%
20201,262−17.3%
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[edit]

Rock County Public Schools operates the public schools in Rock County.

Communities[edit]

City[edit]

Village[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Politics[edit]

Rock 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).

United States presidential election results for Rock County, Nebraska[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
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[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Rock County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Rock County NE Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)
  4. ^ "Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  6. ^ "About", North Central RC&D.
  7. ^ Twin Lakes Rock County Wildlife Management Area, Bassett NE Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  13. ^ "QuickFacts".
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ Election Results

42°25′N 99°27′W / 42.42°N 99.45°W / 42.42; -99.45