Rock County, Wisconsin

Last updated

Rock County
Rock County Courthouse, Wisconsin.JPG
Rock County Courthouse
Rock County wi seal.jpg
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Rock County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin in United States.svg
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°40′N89°04′W / 42.67°N 89.07°W / 42.67; -89.07
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Wisconsin.svg  Wisconsin
Founded1839
Named for Rock River
Seat Janesville
Largest cityJanesville
Area
  Total726 sq mi (1,880 km2)
  Land718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
  Water8.0 sq mi (21 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020) [1]
  Total163,687
  Density230/sq mi (87/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts 1st, 2nd
Website www.co.rock.wi.us

Rock County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 163,687. [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.

Contents

History

Rock County was created 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

Railroads

Buses

Airport

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

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1840 1,701
1850 20,7501,119.9%
1860 36,69076.8%
1870 39,0306.4%
1880 38,823−0.5%
1890 43,22011.3%
1900 51,20318.5%
1910 55,5388.5%
1920 66,15019.1%
1930 74,20612.2%
1940 80,1738.0%
1950 92,77815.7%
1960 113,91322.8%
1970 131,97015.9%
1980 139,4205.6%
1990 139,5100.1%
2000 152,3079.2%
2010 160,3315.3%
2020 163,6872.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9]
1990–2000 [10] 2010 [11] 2020 [1]

As of the census of 2020, [1] the population was 163,687. The population density was 227.9 people per square mile (88.0 people/km2). There were 70,068 housing units at an average density of 97.6 units per square mile (37.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.3% White, 5.1% Black or African American, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 4.6% from other races, and 7.2% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 9.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Rock County USA Rock County, Wisconsin age pyramid.svg
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Rock County

As of the census [12] of 2010, there were 160,331 people residing in the county.

As of the census [12] of 2000, were 152,307 people, 58,617 households, and 40,387 families residing in the county. The population density was 211 people per square mile (81 people/km2). there were 62,187 housing units at an average density of 86 units per square mile (33 units/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 places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns/neighborhoods

Politics

Since 1988, Rock County has consistently voted for the Democratic candidate in every Presidential election. In 2016, Hillary Clinton carried the county by the smallest margin of victory since Michael Dukakis in 1988.

United States presidential election results for Rock County, Wisconsin [13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 37,13843.51%46,65854.66%1,5641.83%
2016 31,49341.40%39,33951.71%5,2426.89%
2012 30,51737.82%49,21961.00%9541.18%
2008 27,36434.56%50,52963.82%1,2761.61%
2004 33,15141.19%46,59857.90%7300.91%
2000 27,46739.01%40,47257.49%2,4653.50%
1996 20,09633.32%32,45053.80%7,77412.89%
1992 21,94231.79%31,15445.13%15,92923.08%
1988 28,17848.43%29,57650.83%4340.75%
1984 32,49154.76%26,43344.55%4100.69%
1980 30,96050.60%24,74040.44%5,4828.96%
1976 28,32549.04%28,04848.56%1,3892.40%
1972 30,36158.03%21,03340.20%9251.77%
1968 25,22950.97%20,56741.56%3,6977.47%
1964 20,37241.85%28,25758.04%550.11%
1960 29,67560.63%19,19439.22%760.16%
1956 28,98067.42%13,83432.18%1730.40%
1952 27,83764.64%15,18335.26%450.10%
1948 17,06850.66%16,15047.93%4741.41%
1944 18,47752.23%16,76647.39%1330.38%
1940 20,14153.15%17,54346.29%2140.56%
1936 14,69343.56%17,99153.34%1,0453.10%
1932 16,82556.07%12,61242.03%5711.90%
1928 21,49770.75%8,72628.72%1610.53%
1924 14,81560.92%1,4535.97%8,05233.11%
1920 16,15283.53%2,44712.65%7383.82%
1916 7,01161.09%4,01534.98%4513.93%
1912 4,27643.21%3,03230.64%2,58726.14%
1908 7,83966.81%3,22727.50%6685.69%
1904 7,97271.65%2,34821.10%8077.25%
1900 8,24969.97%3,09426.24%4473.79%
1896 8,28267.46%3,65529.77%3402.77%
1892 6,05255.24%4,23138.62%6736.14%

Education

School districts include: [14]

There is a state-operated school, Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Tree cities

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evansville, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milton, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

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The 15th Senate District of Wisconsin is one of 33 districts in the Wisconsin Senate. Located in southern Wisconsin, the district comprises most of Rock County and parts of northwest Walworth County and southern Jefferson County. It includes the cities of Janesville, Beloit, Edgerton, Evansville, Milton, and Whitewater.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "2020 Decennial Census: Rock County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  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. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  12. 1 2 "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.
  14. "2020 census - school district reference map: Rock County, WI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text list

Further reading

42°40′N89°04′W / 42.67°N 89.07°W / 42.67; -89.07