Rock County, Wisconsin

Rock County, Wisconsin

Rock County Courthouse

Seal
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Rock County
Location in the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location in the U.S.
Founded 1839
Named for Rock River
Seat Janesville
Largest city Janesville
Area
 • Total 726 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Land 718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Water 8.0 sq mi (21 km2), 1.1%
Population
 • (2010) 160,331
 • Density 223/sq mi (86/km²)
Congressional districts 1st, 2nd
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.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

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Rock County
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%
Est. 2015161,448[7]0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2014[1]

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 according to Census 2000.

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

Politics

Rock County vote
by party in presidential elections[13]
Year Republican Democratic
2016 41.4% 31,488 51.7% 39,343
2012 37.8% 30,517 61.0% 49,219
2008 34.6% 27,364 63.8% 50,529
2004 41.2% 33,151 57.9% 46,598
2000 39.0% 27,467 57.8% 40,472
1996 33.3% 20,096 53.8% 32,450
1992 31.8% 21,942 45.1% 31,154
1988 48.4% 28,178 50.8% 29,576
1984 54.8% 32,491 44.5% 26,433
1980 50.6% 30,960 40.4% 24,740
1976 49.0% 28,325 48.6% 28,048
1972 58.0% 30,361 40.2% 21,033
1968 51.0% 25,229 41.6% 20,567
1964 41.8% 20,372 58.0% 28,257
1960 60.6% 29,675 39.2% 19,194

Rock County is the home of the current Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan. Rock County was historically Republican, however, since 1988 it has trended strongly towards the Democratic party. Hillary Clinton carried the county in 2016, but it was the smallest margin of victory since Michael Dukakis in 1988.

Tree cities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. 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 Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  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. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  13. ↑ http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/

Further reading

Dane County Jefferson County
Green County Walworth County
   Rock County, Wisconsin  
Winnebago County, Illinois and Boone County, Illinois

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

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