Rock County, Nebraska

Rock County, Nebraska
County
The Rock County Courthouse in Bassett
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 42°23′41″N 99°25′15″W / 42.3947°N 99.4209°W / 42.3947; -99.4209
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
Founded	November 6, 1888
Named after	Rock Creek, or its rocky soil
Seat	Bassett
Largest city	Bassett
Area
• Total	1,011.693 sq mi (2,620.27 km2)
• Land	1,008.291 sq mi (2,611.46 km2)
• Water	3.402 sq mi (8.81 km2)  0.34%
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,262
• Estimate  (2025)	1,259
• Density	1.252/sq mi (0.4833/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code	402 and 531
Congressional district	3rd
Website	rockcountynebraska.org
• Nebraska county number 75[1] • Nebraska license plate prefix 81[2]

Rock County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,262,^[3] and was estimated to be 1,259 in 2025.^[4] The county seat and the largest city is Bassett.^[5]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Rock County was represented by the prefix "81" (as it had the 81st-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

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.^[6][7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,011.693 square miles (2,620.27 km²), of which 1,008.291 square miles (2,611.46 km²) is land and 3.402 square miles (8.81 km²) (0.34%) is water.^[8] It is the 16th-largest county in Nebraska by total area.^[9]

Rock County is located in Nebraska's Outback region.^[10]

• John and Louise Seier National Wildlife Refuge
• Niobrara National Scenic River (part)
• Twin Lakes Rock County Wildlife Management Area^[11]

Historical population

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%
2025 (est.)	1,259	[12]	−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13] 1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15] 1990–2000[16] 2010–2020[4]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 1,262. The median age was 49.5 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 28.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.9 males age 18 and over.^[17][18]

The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.6% of the population.^[18]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[19]

There were 583 households in the county, of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[17]

There were 795 housing units, of which 26.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.9% were owner-occupied and 21.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.9%.^[17]

As of the 2000 census, 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.

• Bassett (county seat)

• Newport

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).

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

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Rock County, Nebraska