Rock County, Wisconsin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rock County
U.S. county
Rock County Courthouse
Rock County Courthouse
Official seal of Rock County
Seal
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Rock County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°40′N 89°04′W / 42.67°N 89.07°W / 42.67; -89.07
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1839
Named forRock River
SeatJanesville
Largest cityJanesville
Area
 • Total726 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Land718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Water8.0 sq mi (21 km2)  1.1%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total160,331
 • Estimate 
(2020)
163,084
 • Density220/sq mi (85/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.co.rock.wi.us

Rock County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 160,331.[1] Its county seat is Janesville.[2]

Rock County comprises the Janesville-Beloit, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Madison-Janesville-Beloit, WI Combined Statistical Area.

History[]

Rock County was created in 1836 as a territorial county on December 7, 1836 from Milwaukee County and fully organized February 19, 1839.[3] The county is named for the Rock River, which bisects the county from north to south.[4]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 726 square miles (1,880 km2), of which 718 square miles (1,860 km2) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km2) (1.1%) is water.[5]

Cook Memorial Arboretum, a natural area with birding and nature trails, is located northwest of Janesville. It is owned by the Janesville School District.[6]

Transportation[]

Major highways[]

Airport[]

Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (KJVL) serves Rock County and the surrounding communities.

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18401,701—
185020,7501,119.9%
186036,69076.8%
187039,0306.4%
188038,823−0.5%
189043,22011.3%
190051,20318.5%
191055,5388.5%
192066,15019.1%
193074,20612.2%
194080,1738.0%
195092,77815.7%
1960113,91322.8%
1970131,97015.9%
1980139,4205.6%
1990139,5100.1%
2000152,3079.2%
2010160,3315.3%
2020 (est.)163,084[7]1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1]
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Rock County

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 152,307 people, 58,617 households, and 40,387 families residing in the county. The population density was 211 people per square mile (82/km2). There were 62,187 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile (33/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.01% white, 4.63% black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.77% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. 3.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.8% were of German, 13.0% Norwegian, 10.1% Irish, 7.5% English and 5.5% American ancestry.

There were 58,617 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.

Communities[]

Cities[]

Villages[]

Towns[]

Census-designated place[]

Unincorporated communities[]

Ghost towns/neighborhoods[]

  • Fellows
  • Jefferson Prairie Settlement

Politics[]

Hillary Clinton carried the county in 2016, but it was the smallest margin of victory since Michael Dukakis in 1988.

Presidential elections results

Tree cities[]

  • Beloit
  • Clinton
  • Edgerton
  • Evansville
  • Janesville

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  4. ^ "Rock County, origin of place name" Dictionary of Wisconsin History.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  6. ^ Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail. Cook Memorial Arboretum.
  7. ^ "County Population Totals: 2010-2020". Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.

Further reading[]

External links[]

Coordinates: 42°40′N 89°04′W / 42.67°N 89.07°W / 42.67; -89.07

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