Rock County, Wisconsin

Rock County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 163,687. Its county seat is Janesville. 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 as a territorial county on December 7, 1836, from Milwaukee County and fully organized February 19, 1839. The county is named for the Rock River, which bisects the county from north to south.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 726 sqmi, of which 718 sqmi is land and 8.0 sqmi (1.1%) is water.

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

Major highways

 * I-39.svg Interstate 39
 * I-43.svg Interstate 43
 * I-90.svg Interstate 90
 * US 12.svg U.S. Highway 12
 * US 14.svg U.S. Highway 14
 * US 51.svg U.S. Highway 51
 * WIS 11.svg Highway 11
 * WIS 26.svg Highway 26
 * WIS 59.svg Highway 59
 * WIS 67.svg Highway 67
 * WIS 81.svg Highway 81
 * WIS 89.svg Highway 89
 * WIS 104.svg Highway 104
 * WIS 140.svg Highway 140
 * WIS 213.svg Highway 213

Railroads

 * Canadian Pacific
 * Union Pacific
 * Wisconsin and Southern Railroad

Buses

 * Beloit Transit
 * Janesville Transit System
 * List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin

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

Adjacent counties

 * Green County – west
 * Dane County – north
 * Jefferson County – northeast
 * Walworth County – east
 * Boone County, Illinois – south
 * Winnebago County, Illinois – south

Demographics
As of the census of 2020, the population was 163,687. The population density was 227.9 /mi2. There were 70,068 housing units at an average density of 97.6 /mi2. 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.

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

As of the census of 2000, were 152,307 people, 58,617 households, and 40,387 families residing in the county. The population density was 211 /mi2. there were 62,187 housing units at an average density of 86 /mi2. 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.

Cities

 * Beloit
 * Brodhead (mostly in Green County)
 * Edgerton (partly in Dane County)
 * Evansville
 * Janesville (County seat)
 * Milton

Villages

 * Clinton
 * Orfordville
 * Footville

Towns

 * Avon
 * Beloit
 * Bradford
 * Center
 * Clinton
 * Fulton
 * Harmony
 * Janesville
 * Johnstown
 * La Prairie
 * Lima
 * Magnolia
 * Milton
 * Newark
 * Plymouth
 * Porter
 * Rock
 * Spring Valley
 * Turtle
 * Union

Census-designated places

 * Fulton
 * Hanover
 * Shopiere

Unincorporated communities

 * Afton
 * Anderson
 * Avalon
 * Avon
 * Belcrest
 * Bergen
 * Cainville
 * Center
 * Charlie Bluff
 * Cooksville
 * Coopers Shores
 * Crestview
 * Emerald Grove
 * Fairfield (partial)
 * Foxhollow
 * Indianford
 * Johnstown
 * Johnstown Center
 * Koshkonong (partial)
 * Leyden
 * Lima Center
 * Magnolia
 * Mallwood
 * Maple Beach
 * Newark
 * Newville
 * Porters
 * Stebbinsville
 * Tiffany
 * Union
 * Victory Heights

Ghost towns/neighborhoods

 * Fellows
 * Jefferson Prairie Settlement

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.

Education
School districts include:


 * Albany School District
 * Beloit School District
 * Beloit Turner School District
 * Brodhead School District
 * Clinton Community School District
 * Delavan-Darien School District
 * Edgerton School District
 * Evansville Community School District
 * Fort Atkinson School District
 * Janesville School District
 * Milton School District
 * Oregon School District
 * Parkview School District
 * Stoughton Area School District
 * Whitewater School District

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

Tree cities

 * Beloit
 * Clinton
 * Edgerton
 * Evansville
 * Janesville
 * Milton