Editing Rock County, Nebraska

{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county           = Rock County
| state              = Nebraska
| founded            = 1888
| seat wl            = Bassett
| largest city       = Bassett
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1012
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1008
| area_water_sq_mi   = 3.4
| area percentage    = 0.3%
| census yr          = 2020
| pop                = 1262
| pop_est_as_of      = 2022
| population_est     = 1245 {{loss}}
| density_sq_mi      = auto
| web                = http://www.rockcountynebraska.org/
| ex image           = Rock County, Nebraska courthouse from W.JPG
| ex image cap       = [[Rock County Courthouse]] in Bassett
| district           = 3rd
| time zone          = Central
|named for = [[Rock Creek (Nebraska)|Rock Creek]], or its rocky soil }}

'''Rock County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Nebraska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 1,262.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rock County, Nebraska|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Rock_County,_Nebraska?g=050XX00US31149|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Bassett, Nebraska|Bassett]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> In the [[Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska|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==
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.<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rock+County,+NE/@42.4448113,-99.7360705,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87836bfaed272643:0x7b3515506eab0180!8m2!3d42.3951993!4d-99.456155 ''Rock County NE''  Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)]</ref><ref>[https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm "Find an Altitude"  Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)]</ref>

The county has a total area of {{convert|1012|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1008|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.4|sqmi}} (0.3%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024152/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt|archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref>

Rock County is located in Nebraska's [[Nebraska Outback|Outback region]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040503053513/http://www.nebraskaoutback.com/about.htm "About"]}}, North Central RC&D.</ref>

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[File:US 20.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 20 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 20]]
* [[File:US 183.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 183 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 183]]
* [[File:N-7.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 7]]
* [[File:N-137.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 137]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Keya Paha County, Nebraska|Keya Paha County]] - north
* [[Boyd County, Nebraska|Boyd County]] - northeast
* [[Holt County, Nebraska|Holt County]] - east
* [[Loup County, Nebraska|Loup County]] - south
* [[Brown County, Nebraska|Brown County]] - west
{{div col end}}

===National protected areas===
* [[John and Louise Seier National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Niobrara National Scenic River]] (part)
* Twin Lakes Rock County Wildlife Management Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Twin+Lakes+Rock+County+Wildlife+Management+Area,+Bassett,+NE+68714/@42.3146164,-99.4872187,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87836bfaed272643:0x7b3515506eab0180!2sRock+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d42.3951993!4d-99.456155!3m4!1s0x8783489ff7eb3ce9:0x15bd98204ac2b22!8m2!3d42.3179697!4d-99.475603 ''Twin Lakes Rock County Wildlife Management Area, Bassett NE''  Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1890 = 3083
| 1900 = 2809
| 1910 = 3627
| 1920 = 3703
| 1930 = 3366
| 1940 = 3977
| 1950 = 3026
| 1960 = 2554
| 1970 = 2231
| 1980 = 2383
| 1990 = 2019
| 2000 = 1756
| 2010 = 1526
| 2020 = 1262
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 1245
| align-fn = center
| footnote = US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref><br>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ne190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref><br>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31149.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=September 22, 2013|archive-date=June 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607152001/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31149.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/rockcountynebraska/PST045222 |title=QuickFacts}}</ref> 2020-2022<ref name=QF/>
}}

As of the [[2000 United States Census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 1,756 people, 763 households, and 501 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 935 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.9|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 99.03% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.46% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.17% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.28% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 33.1% were of [[Germans|German]], 12.7% [[United States|American]], 10.5% [[Irish people|Irish]] and 8.4% [[English people|English]] ancestry.

There were 763 households, out of which 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were [[Marriage|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==
[[Rock County Public Schools]] operates the public schools in Rock County.

==Communities==
===City===
* [[Bassett, Nebraska|Bassett]] (county seat)

===Village===
* [[Newport, Nebraska|Newport]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Duff, Nebraska|Duff]]
* [[Mariaville, Nebraska|Mariaville]]
* [[Rose, Nebraska|Rose]]
* [[Sybrant, Nebraska|Sybrant]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
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 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Rock County, Nebraska|whig=no|source1=<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Election Results]</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|745|85|5|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|744|84|14|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|687|70|41|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|672|103|14|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|640|139|22|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|740|130|13|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|725|141|28|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|564|180|141|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|588|162|237|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|757|198|2|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|873|147|3|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|855|146|58|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|732|255|22|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|937|138|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|791|146|94|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|835|376|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,084|253|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|928|281|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,226|267|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|809|455|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|984|506|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,104|600|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|944|710|18|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|613|810|22|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,034|305|2|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|585|293|358|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|621|239|25|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|375|449|55|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|230|279|360|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|469|334|29|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|498|138|69|Nebraska}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Republican|481|243|8|Nebraska}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Nebraska#Rock County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Rock County, Nebraska]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Geographic Location
| Centre    = Rock County, Nebraska
| North     = [[Keya Paha County, Nebraska|Keya Paha County]]
| Northeast = [[Boyd County, Nebraska|Boyd County]]
| East      = [[Holt County, Nebraska|Holt County]]
|South     = [[Loup County, Nebraska|Loup County]]
|West      = [[Brown County, Nebraska|Brown County]]
}}

{{Rock County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}

{{coord|42.42|-99.45|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Rock County, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1888]]