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Norfolk, Nebraska

Coordinates: 42°01′41″N 97°25′45″W / 42.02806°N 97.42917°W / 42.02806; -97.42917
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Norfolk, Nebraska
Downtown Norfolk
Downtown Norfolk
Location in Madison County and the state of Nebraska
Location in Madison County and the state of Nebraska
Norfolk is located in Nebraska
Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is located in the United States
Norfolk
Norfolk
Coordinates: 42°01′41″N 97°25′45″W / 42.02806°N 97.42917°W / 42.02806; -97.42917
CountryUnited States
StateNebraska
CountyMadison
Founded1866
Area
 • Total18.37 sq mi (47.58 km2)
 • Land17.98 sq mi (46.56 km2)
 • Water0.39 sq mi (1.02 km2)
Elevation1,532 ft (467 m)
Population
 • Total24,955
 • Density1,388.16/sq mi (535.97/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
68701-68702
Area code402
FIPS code31-34615
GNIS feature ID2395248[2]
Websitenorfolkne.gov

Norfolk (/ˈnɔːrfɔːrk/ NOR-fork or /ˈnɔːrfk/ NOR-fohk) is a city in Madison County, Nebraska, United States, 113 miles northwest of Omaha and 76 miles southwest of Sioux City, Iowa, at the intersection of U.S. Routes 81 and 275. The population was 24,955 at the 2020 census,[3] making it the seventh-most populous city in Nebraska. It is the principal city of the Norfolk Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

[edit]

Settlement and early history

[edit]

In late 1865 three scouts were sent from a German Lutheran settlement near Ixonia, Wisconsin, to find productive, inexpensive farmland that could be claimed under the Homestead Act. From the Omaha area they followed the Elkhorn River upstream to West Point. Finding that area too crowded, they continued up the river. On September 15, they reached the junction of the Elkhorn and its North Fork, and chose that area as a settlement site.[4]: 1–2  On May 23, 1866, a party of 124 settlers representing 42 families from the Ixonia area set out for northeast Nebraska in three wagon trains. They arrived at the new site on July 15.[4]: 8  A second group of settlers from Wisconsin arrived in July 1867.[4]: 19  These collective wagon parties established the first church in Madison County, St. Paul's Lutheran, which is still operating today.[5][6]

The original name of the colony was a variant of "North Fork", but accounts differ on the exact name: "Northfork",[4]: 32  "Nor'fork", and "Nordfork"[7] are all suggested. The name was submitted to federal postal authorities, and at some point was transmuted to "Norfolk". Nebraskans typically pronounce it as "Norfork".

The North Fork settlement was named the county seat in 1867.[4]: 22  In 1875 a series of elections changed this. In the first of these Norfolk, which at the time had 45 voters, was eliminated. In a subsequent election Madison was chosen over Battle Creek.[4]: 56–7 

Railroads and growth

[edit]

The Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad was built after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills in South Dakota. It ran from the Omaha area up the Elkhorn valley, then across northern Nebraska and into South Dakota.[8] Its arrival at Norfolk in 1879 connected the city through Wisner to Blair on the Missouri.[4]: 60  The Omaha, Niobrara, and Black Hills branch of the Union Pacific ran north from the railroad's main line at Duncan to Norfolk;[9] it reached the city in 1880.[10]: 14  The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad was completed to Norfolk in 1882.[10]: 14 

The development of these railway connections led to significant growth in the city. In 1886 Norfolk's population reached 1,000, making it a city of the second class.[4]: 80  A street railway system and a public water supply were established in 1887.[4]: 81–83  In 1888 a franchise was granted to the Norfolk Electric Light Company, and the Nebraska Telephone Company was given a right-of-way for "general telegraph and telephone business".[4]: 85 

The Nebraska legislature created the Insane Asylum in Norfolk in 1885;[11] it accepted its first patients in 1888.[4]: 84  In 1920, the institution's name was changed to the Norfolk State Hospital; in 1962, it became the Norfolk Regional Center.[11] As of 2010, it was a 120-bed institution providing the initial phase of treatment to sex offenders.[12]

Automobile age

[edit]

In 1900, the city had a population of 3,883, nearly quadruple its population of a decade earlier. By 1910, it had more than 6,000 people, comprising roughly one-third of Madison County's population of 19,101.[10]: 14  In 1915, petitions were filed for an election to move the county seat from Madison to Norfolk. The measure, however, failed to secure the necessary number of votes.[13]: 20 

In the 1910s, development began on the Meridian Highway as a direct north–south route across the United States; the route of the highway ran through Norfolk. The 1924 completion of the Meridian Bridge across the Missouri River at the Nebraska-South Dakota border made the highway a continuous year-round thoroughfare. In 1926, it was designated as U.S. Highway 81.[14] A second federal highway, U.S. Highway 275, received its designation in 1939; it follows the Elkhorn valley upstream from Omaha through Norfolk to O'Neill. During World War II, the segment from Norfolk to O'Neill was a portion of the Strategic Network of Highways; as such, it was given a high priority for federal funds for materials and for federal maintenance funds.[15]

One-story building with two-story central section; rounded corners
Former terminal building, Karl Stefan Airport

Air travel developed in Norfolk beginning with the establishment of a flying school in 1928. The school's field gradually expanded and was improved. In 1942 the WPA began construction of a municipal airport at the site. Although construction materials were limited during World War II, Norfolk received priority as an auxiliary field to several war-related airports, including Sioux City Air Field. After the war, Congressman Karl Stefan, a resident of Norfolk and a member of the Congressional Air Policy Board, used his influence to secure further funding for the airport. Commercial passenger flight through the airport began in the early 1950s.[16]

In the 1970s, another attempt was made to move the county seat from Madison to Norfolk. In a 1975 county-wide election, the move's proponents failed to secure a simple majority. A 60% majority would have been necessary for the measure to pass.[13]: 8 

On September 26, 2002, three gunmen robbed a US Bank branch in Norfolk, killing five people in the process. This was the nation's deadliest bank robbery in at least a decade.[17] The three gunmen, Jose Sandoval, Jorge Galindo and Erick Vela, were arrested the same day as was their accomplice Gabriel Rodriguez. All four men were later convicted and sentenced for their roles in the crime. Sandoval, Galindo and Vela were given the death penalty, whereas Rodriguez received life imprisonment.[18]

Geography

[edit]

Norfolk is in northeastern Nebraska, in the northeast corner of Madison County. U.S. Route 81 passes through the city west of downtown, following 13th Street; it leads south 45 miles (72 km) to Columbus, Nebraska, and north 58 miles (93 km) to Yankton, South Dakota. U.S. Route 275 passes through the southern part of Norfolk on Omaha Avenue and leads southeast 42 miles (68 km) to West Point and northwest 75 miles (121 km) to O'Neill. Nebraska Highway 35 leads northeast from Norfolk 31 miles (50 km) to Wayne.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Norfolk has a total area of 18.5 square miles (47.91 km2), of which 18.1 square miles (46.9 km2) are land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), or 2.12%, water.[1] The Elkhorn River passes through the southern part of the city, flowing southeast to join the Platte River west of Omaha.

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Norfolk, Nebraska (Karl Stefan Memorial Airport), 1991–2020 normals,[a] extremes 1893–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 74
(23)
76
(24)
92
(33)
102
(39)
106
(41)
109
(43)
116
(47)
110
(43)
106
(41)
98
(37)
83
(28)
72
(22)
116
(47)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 57
(14)
62
(17)
76
(24)
85
(29)
91
(33)
95
(35)
97
(36)
96
(36)
92
(33)
86
(30)
73
(23)
58
(14)
99
(37)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 32.7
(0.4)
37.0
(2.8)
49.6
(9.8)
61.4
(16.3)
72.2
(22.3)
82.2
(27.9)
86.4
(30.2)
84.0
(28.9)
77.4
(25.2)
63.6
(17.6)
48.3
(9.1)
35.7
(2.1)
60.9
(16.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 22.3
(−5.4)
26.3
(−3.2)
37.8
(3.2)
48.9
(9.4)
60.1
(15.6)
70.4
(21.3)
74.8
(23.8)
72.4
(22.4)
64.4
(18.0)
50.8
(10.4)
36.8
(2.7)
25.7
(−3.5)
49.2
(9.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 11.8
(−11.2)
15.6
(−9.1)
26.0
(−3.3)
36.5
(2.5)
48.0
(8.9)
58.6
(14.8)
63.2
(17.3)
60.8
(16.0)
51.3
(10.7)
38.1
(3.4)
25.2
(−3.8)
15.6
(−9.1)
37.6
(3.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −11
(−24)
−5
(−21)
5
(−15)
21
(−6)
34
(1)
46
(8)
51
(11)
49
(9)
35
(2)
21
(−6)
7
(−14)
−6
(−21)
−4
(−20)
Record low °F (°C) −39
(−39)
−35
(−37)
−20
(−29)
−5
(−21)
21
(−6)
34
(1)
42
(6)
36
(2)
20
(−7)
2
(−17)
−15
(−26)
−30
(−34)
−39
(−39)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.61
(15)
0.80
(20)
1.44
(37)
2.73
(69)
4.00
(102)
4.37
(111)
2.98
(76)
3.50
(89)
2.37
(60)
2.15
(55)
1.22
(31)
0.84
(21)
27.01
(686)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 6.9
(18)
6.1
(15)
4.5
(11)
2.3
(5.8)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.8
(2.0)
3.2
(8.1)
6.1
(15)
29.9
(76)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 6.1 6.2 7.6 9.6 11.8 10.8 9.2 9.3 7.8 7.4 5.7 6.0 97.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 5.1 4.9 3.1 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 2.3 4.4 21.9
Average relative humidity (%) 67.8 70.3 68.4 60.6 63.1 62.2 65.6 69.1 65.6 63.8 69.3 72.3 66.5
Source: NOAA (humidity 1961–1990)[19][20][21]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880547
18903,038455.4%
19003,88327.8%
19106,02555.2%
19208,63443.3%
193010,71724.1%
194010,490−2.1%
195011,3358.1%
196013,11115.7%
197016,60726.7%
198019,44917.1%
199021,47610.4%
200023,5169.5%
201024,2103.0%
202024,9553.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]

2020 census

[edit]

The 2020 United States census[23] counted 24,955 people, 10,240 households, and 5,724 families in Norfolk. The population density was 1,387.9 per square mile (536.0/km2). There were 11,112 housing units at an average density of 618.0 per square mile (238.7/km2). The racial makeup was 80.34% (20,048) white, 1.52% (380) black or African-American, 1.82% (453) Native American, 1.13% (282) Asian, 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander, 7.28% (1,816) from other races, and 7.9% (1,972) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 14.0% (3,522) of the population.

Of the 10,240 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18; 41.6% were married couples living together; 30.6% had a female householder with no husband present. 37.9% of households consisted of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 3.1.

24.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 92.0 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[24] estimates show that the median household income was $49,280 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,354) and the median family income $68,608 (+/- $5,266). Males had a median income of $39,418 (+/- $2,586) versus $27,006 (+/- $972) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,637 (+/- $1,628). Approximately, 9.9% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under the age of 18 and 13.4% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the census[25] of 2010, there were 24,210 people, 9,910 households, and 6,005 families living in the city. The population density was 2,264.7 inhabitants per square mile (874.4/km2). There were 10,625 housing units at an average density of 993.9 per square mile (383.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.0% White, 1.6% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 6.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.1% of the population.

There were 9,910 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.4% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 35.5 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

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As of the census of 2000, there were 23,516 people, 9,360 households, and 5,868 families living in the city. The population density was 2,358.0 inhabitants per square mile (910.4/km2). There were 10,072 housing units at an average density of 1,009.9 per square mile (389.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.41% White, 1.16% African American, 1.53% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.19% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.61% of the population.

There were 9,360 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $34,609, and the median income for a family was $45,460. Males had a median income of $31,445 versus $21,397 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,990. About 7.0% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

[edit]

Norfolk is the principal retail center of northeastern Nebraska. Other significant elements of the local economy include agriculture, manufacturing, and services including education and health care.[26]

Major local manufacturers include:

  • Nucor, which employs about 1,200 people manufacturing steel products at four locations in Norfolk[27]
  • Covidien, with about 440 employees producing syringes and other medical supplies[28]
  • Continental, employing about 350 producing high-pressure and hydraulic hose
  • Norfolk Iron and Metal, with 320 employees manufacturing steel products
  • Wis-Pak, employing about 100 to produce soft drinks and other beverages[29]

Major non-manufacturing commercial employers include Wal-Mart, with about 410 employees, and Associated Wholesale Grocers, formerly known as Affiliated Foods Midwest, whose distribution center in Norfolk employs about 650. Other major employers include Faith Regional Health Services, a nonprofit with about 1,300 employees, and Norfolk Public Schools, with about 700.[29]

"Northeast Community College" sign on lawn in foreground; low wide-spreading building of fairly recent design behind it
Northeast Community College

Education

[edit]

Norfolk has a single post-secondary educational institution, Northeast Community College, with over 7,000 students taking courses for credit. Over 18,000 students took non-credit courses; another 1,200 were in adult-education courses, including GED preparation, English as a second language, and preparation for the Naturalization test.[26]

The Norfolk Public School District has an enrollment of over 4,000 students. There are seven elementary schools, six in Norfolk and one in the Woodland Park community; one preschool; one junior high school; and two high schools, Norfolk Senior High School and Alternatives For Success, the latter described as an "alternative high school".[30] These schools lie between the Norfolk and Woodland Park communities.

There are several private elementary and high schools in the city. Norfolk Catholic Schools operates a grade school and Norfolk Catholic High School, with a total enrollment of about 650.[26][31] Two Lutheran elementary schools and a high school enroll a total of about 470 pupils. St. Paul's Lutheran School is a Pre-K-8 school of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) in Norfolk.[32] Keystone Christian Academy enrolled about 60 students in pre-school through twelfth grade until its closure in May 2019.[26]

Media

[edit]

The Norfolk Daily News is the city's principal newspaper. It is published six days a week (excluding Sundays).[33]

Norfolk has two television stations, KXNE-TV 19 (DTV 16), which is part of the NET Television network, and KNEN-LD 35 (DTV 35), operating as part of the statewide network News Channel Nebraska (NCN). Three Sioux City stations -- KTIV (NBC), KMEG (Dabl) and KPTH (Fox/CBS) -- also operate low-power translators just east of the city.

Norfolk has one AM station: WJAG 780 (news/talk). There are seven FM stations: KXNE-FM 89.3 (public radio); KPNO 90.9 (Christian talk); K219DW 91.9 (Christian talk); KUSO 92.7 (country); KNEN 94.7 (rock); KEXL 97.5 (adult contemporary), and KQKX 106.7 (country).

Infrastructure

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Express Arrow.[34]

Notable people

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Norfolk, Nebraska
  3. ^ a b "P1. Race – Norfolk city, Nebraska: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Pangle, Mary Ellen. A History of Norfolk. Published serially in Norfolk Daily News. 1929.
  5. ^ Reichert, Mark. "History and Beliefs of St. Paul's-Norfolk". St. Paul's Lutheran History and Beliefs. Mark Reichert. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  6. ^ Schmeckpeper, Sheryl. "New historical marker tells church's story". Norfolk Daily News. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  7. ^ Perkey, Elton. Perkey's Nebraska Place Names. Nebraska State Historical Society. 1982.
  8. ^ "Nebraska's Cowboy Trail". Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. May 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-02.
  9. ^ "Welcome to Humphrey, Nebraska". City of Humphrey website. Retrieved 2010-01-02.
  10. ^ a b c "Madison County, Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey".[usurped] Nebraska State Historical Society. August 2001. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  11. ^ a b "Nebraska Health and Human Services System Chronological History". Nebraska Health and Human Services System. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  12. ^ "Norfolk Regional Center". Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Archived 2011-02-21 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2010-10-07. Archived 2011-01-02 at Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ a b Madison County Historical Society. 125 Years of Memories: 1867-1992. Locally published, 1993.
  14. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Meridian Highway".[usurped] Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  15. ^ Koster, George E. "A Story of Highway Development in Nebraska". Nebraska Department of Roads. 1997. p. 44. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  16. ^ Ebeling, Mary R., and Christina Slattery. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Karl Stefan Memorial Airport Administration Building".[usurped] Nebraska State Historical Society.[usurped] Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  17. ^ "Five Dead in Norfolk Bank Robbery". WOWT-TV website. 2002-09-26. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  18. ^ Pilger, Lori. "Norfolk bank robbery: A timeline". Lincoln Journal Star.
  19. ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  20. ^ "Station: Norfolk Karl Stefan AP, NE". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  21. ^ "WMO Climate Normals for Norfolk/Karl Stefan, NE 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  22. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  23. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  24. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  25. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  26. ^ a b c d "Community Facts - Norfolk, Nebraska". Economic & Demographic Information, Nebraska Public Power District. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  27. ^ "Nucor U.S. Locations". Archived 2014-11-11 at the Wayback Machine Nucor. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  28. ^ Harris, Kathryn. "Covidien celebrates 50 years in Norfolk". Norfolk Daily News. 2011-11-03. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  29. ^ a b "Nebraska Community 'Fast Facts' Profile: Norfolk, Nebraska. Economic & Demographic Information, Nebraska Public Power District. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  30. ^ "Welcome to Norfolk Public Schools". Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  31. ^ "History of Our School". Norfolk Catholic School. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  32. ^ "St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School".
  33. ^ "Subscription/Delivery Information". Norfolk Daily News website. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  34. ^ "Locations". Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "Jeromey Clary". National Football League. Retrieved 2010-02-20.
  36. ^ Mabry, John (May 22, 2012). "A 'Junkyard Dog' Fighting for the Underdog". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  37. ^ Granito, Alison (October 15, 2005). "The richest man you've never heard of". Crain's. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
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