Rock County, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rock County
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Rock County Courthouse in Bassett
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Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
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 Nebraska's location within the U.S. |
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| 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)
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| • Total | 1,262 |
| • Density | 1.2470/sq mi (0.4815/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
Rock County is a place in the state of Nebraska, USA. It's like a smaller region within the state. As of 2020, about 1,262 people live there. The main town and government center is called Bassett.
Rock County got its name from either Rock Creek or the rocky soil found there. It was officially created in 1888.
If you look at Nebraska license plates, Rock County has the number 81. This is because it had the 81st largest number of vehicles registered when the system started in 1922.
Contents
Exploring Rock County's Geography
Rock County is located in the "Outback region" of Nebraska. The Niobrara River flows along its northern border. The land here has rolling hills that mostly go from east to west.
You'll find many small lakes in the middle part of the county. Not much farming happens here compared to other areas. The land gently slopes towards the northeast.
Size of Rock County
The total area of Rock County is about 1,012 square miles. Most of this is land, around 1,008 square miles. Only a small part, about 3.4 square miles, is water.
Main Roads in Rock County
These are the most important roads that go through Rock County:
U.S. Highway 20
U.S. Highway 183
Nebraska Highway 7
Nebraska Highway 137
Neighboring Counties
Rock County shares its borders with these other counties:
- Keya Paha County to the north
- Boyd County to the northeast
- Holt County to the east
- Loup County to the south
- Brown County to the west
Protected Natural Areas
Rock County is home to some special natural places:
- John and Louise Seier National Wildlife Refuge
- Part of the Niobrara National Scenic River
- Twin Lakes Rock County Wildlife Management Area
Understanding Rock County's Population
The number of people living in Rock County has changed over the years. Here's how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 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 | −18.4% | |
| US Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010 2020-2022 |
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In 2000, there were 1,756 people living in Rock County. Most people were White, with a small number of Native American and Asian residents. About half a percent of the population was Hispanic or Latino. Many people had German, American, Irish, or English family backgrounds.
The average age in the county in 2000 was 44 years old. About 23% of the population was under 18 years old.
Education in Rock County
The public schools in Rock County are managed by Rock County Public Schools.
Communities in Rock County
Rock County has a few towns and smaller communities:
City
- Bassett (This is the county seat, where the main government offices are.)
Village
Unincorporated Communities
These are smaller places that are not officially organized as cities or villages:
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Rock (Nebraska) para niños
