Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Scottsbluff, Nebraska
City
Aerial view of Scottsbluff.
Location of Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°52′2″N 103°39′39″W / 41.86722°N 103.66083°WCoordinates: 41°52′2″N 103°39′39″W / 41.86722°N 103.66083°W
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
County	Scotts Bluff
Founded	1900
Government
• Mayor	Randy Meininger
Area[1]
• Total	6.27 sq mi (16.24 km^2)
• Land	6.22 sq mi (16.11 km^2)
• Water	0.05 sq mi (0.13 km^2)
Elevation	3,891 ft (1,186 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	15,039
• Estimate (2012[3])	15,062
• Density	2,417.8/sq mi (933.5/km^2)
Time zone	Mountain (MST) (UTC-7)
• Summer (DST)	MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP codes	69361, 69363
Area code(s)	308
FIPS code	31-44245
GNIS feature ID	0833318[4]
Website	www.scottsbluff.org

Scottsbluff is a city in Scotts Bluff County, in the western part of the state of Nebraska, in the Great Plains region of the United States. The population was 15,039 at the 2010 census. Scottsbluff is the largest city in the Nebraska Panhandle, and the 13th largest city in Nebraska.

Scottsbluff was founded in 1899 across the North Platte River from its namesake, a bluff that is now a U.S. National Park called Scotts Bluff National Monument. The smaller town of Gering had been founded south of the river in 1887. The two cities have since grown together to form the 7th largest urban area (Scottsbluff Micropolitan Statistical Area) in Nebraska.

History

Scottsbluff was laid out in 1899 when the railroad was extended to that point.^[5]

Other names

In the Lakota language, Scottsbluff is called pȟaŋkéska wakpá otȟúŋwahe ("Platte River City", lit. "abalone river city").^[6]

Geography and climate

Scottsbluff is located at 41°52′2″N 103°39′39″W / 41.86722°N 103.66083°W (41.867140, −103.660709).^[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.27 square miles (16.24 km²), of which, 6.22 square miles (16.11 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) is water.^[1]

Scottsbluff has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk), with wide seasonal and day-to-day variation as well as a large diurnal temperature variation, and is located in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5.^[8] Summers are hot, and winters dry and cold, though chinook winds can loosen the cold's grip, often bringing temperatures above 50 °F (10 °C). The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 26.1 °F (−3.3 °C) in January to 74.1 °F (23.4 °C) in July. Over the course of a year, there is an average 4.2 days with 100 °F (38 °C)+ highs, 43 with 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs, and 13 with sub-0 °F (−18 °C) lows.^[9] Precipitation is heavily concentrated in the spring and summer months. Snow typically falls in light amounts, with a 1981−2010 seasonal average of 42 inches (110 cm). Extremes in temperature have ranged from 110 °F (43 °C) on 11 July 1939, down to −45 °F (−43 °C) on 12 February 1899. The year 1989 saw temperatures as extreme as 109 °F (43 °C) and −42 °F (−41 °C).^[10]

Climate data for Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	74 (23)	77 (25)	87 (31)	93 (34)	103 (39)	106 (41)	110 (43)	106 (41)	102 (39)	93 (34)	80 (27)	77 (25)	110 (43)
Average high °F (°C)	40.8 (4.9)	44.4 (6.9)	52.7 (11.5)	61.4 (16.3)	71.6 (22)	82.1 (27.8)	89.8 (32.1)	87.7 (30.9)	77.9 (25.5)	64.1 (17.8)	50.2 (10.1)	39.6 (4.2)	63.6 (17.6)
Average low °F (°C)	13.7 (−10.2)	16.3 (−8.7)	23.8 (−4.6)	31.9 (−0.1)	42.9 (6.1)	52.3 (11.3)	58.3 (14.6)	56.2 (13.4)	45.4 (7.4)	32.9 (0.5)	21.5 (−5.8)	12.5 (−10.8)	34.1 (1.2)
Record low °F (°C)	−33 (−36)	−45 (−43)	−27 (−33)	−8 (−22)	12 (−11)	30 (−1)	35 (2)	30 (−1)	14 (−10)	−6 (−21)	−21 (−29)	−42 (−41)	−45 (−43)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	.41 (10.4)	.60 (15.2)	1.00 (25.4)	1.83 (46.5)	2.48 (63)	2.85 (72.4)	1.83 (46.5)	1.30 (33)	1.18 (30)	1.14 (29)	.66 (16.8)	.51 (13)	15.79 (401.2)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	5.4 (13.7)	7.0 (17.8)	7.8 (19.8)	5.4 (13.7)	.5 (1.3)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	.5 (1.3)	2.7 (6.9)	5.7 (14.5)	7.1 (18)	42.1 (107)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	4.6	5.3	6.8	8.9	11.4	10.8	7.8	7.3	7.2	6.5	5.2	5.4	87.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	4.4	4.4	4.7	2.9	.3	0	0	0	.3	1.5	3.6	4.9	27.0
Source: NOAA (normals, 1981–2010),[11] ThreadEx (extremes 1893–present)[10]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	1,746		—
1920	6,912		295.9%
1930	8,465		22.5%
1940	12,057		42.4%
1950	12,858		6.6%
1960	13,377		4.0%
1970	14,507		8.4%
1980	14,156		−2.4%
1990	13,711		−3.1%
2000	14,732		7.4%
2010	15,039		2.1%
Est. 2014	14,875	[12]	−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[13] 2012 Estimate[14]

Overlooking Scottsbluff (to the left) and Gering (to the right) from Scotts Bluff National Monument

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 15,039 people, 6,168 households, and 3,672 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,417.8 inhabitants per square mile (933.5/km²). There were 6,712 housing units at an average density of 1,079.1 per square mile (416.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.0% White, 0.8% African American, 3.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 9.8% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.1% of the population.

There were 6,168 households of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.5% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 36 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

According to a 2009 article in Quality Health entitled 10 Fattest Cities in America, 31% of Scottsbluff's population is obese, making it the 7th fattest city in America.^[15]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,732 people, 6,088 households, and 3,841 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,504.5 people per square mile (967.4/km²). There were 6,559 housing units at an average density of 1,115.1 per square mile (430.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.88% White, 0.44% African American, 3.20% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 11.60% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.59% of the population.

There were 6,088 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% 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 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $29,938, and the median income for a family was $37,778. Males had a median income of $30,307 versus $20,854 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,065. About 14.5% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Scottsbluff is home to the main campus of Western Nebraska Community College. In addition, several other Nebraska institutions maintain centers and offer select courses or programs in the city, including the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, Chadron State College, and the University of Nebraska (Panhandle Research and Extension Center).

The now-defunct Hiram Scott College was also located a few miles north of the city.

Points of interest

Scotts Bluff National Monument.

• Scotts Bluff National Monument
• Grave of Rebecca Winters (Mormon Pioneer)
• Lake Minatare State Recreation Area
• Riverside Discovery Center
• Western Nebraska Community College
• Fort Mitchell
• Cedar Canyon^[16]
• Carter Canyon^[17]
• Robidoux Pass

Landmark buildings

The Midwest Theater in downtown Scottsbluff is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

• Old Post Office^[18]
• Midwest Theater^[19]
• Lincoln Hotel^[20]
• Great Western Sugar Factory
• Lake Minatare Lighthouse
• Bluffs Middle School^[21]
• Scottsbluff High School^[22]
• Scottsbluff County Courthouse^[23]
• Scottsbluff Carnegie Library^[24]

Media

Scottsbluff Radio
Frequency	Call sign	Name	Format	City of license	Ownership
690 AM	KOAQ	La Gran D	Regional Mexican	Terrytown, Nebraska	Armada Media
960 AM	KNEB (AM)	960 Rural Radio	News/Talk	Scottsbluff, Nebraska	Nebraska Rural Radio Association
1320 AM	KOLT	1320 the Talk Of Wyobraska	News/Talk	Scottsbluff, Nebraska	Armada Media
93.3 FM	KMOR	Rock of the Bluffs	Classic Rock	Gering, Nebraska	Armada Media
94.1 FM	KNEB-FM	Better Country KNEB	Country	Scottsbluff, NE	Nebraska Rural Radio Association
99.3 FM	KETT	99.3	Adult Contemporary	Mitchell, NE	Armada Media
101.3 FM	KOZY-FM	KOZY	Top 40	Bridgeport, NE	Armada Media
105.9 FM	KAAQ	Double Q Country	Country	Alliance, NE	Eagle Communications
106.9 FM	KHYY	Wild Country	Country	Minatare, NE	Armada Media

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 26 - east-west route through Scottsbluff
• N-71 Nebraska Route 71 - north-south route through Scottsbluff
• N-92 Nebraska Route 92 - route going west from Scottsbluff to Wyoming border.

Airport

The Scottsbluff area is served by Western Nebraska Regional Airport.

Notable people

• Hank Bauer, former American football running back, professional television and radio broadcaster.^[25]
• Brook Berringer, the former University of Nebraska quarterback was born in Scottsbluff in 1973. (His family moved to Goodland, Kansas, after his father's death.)^[26]
• Terry Carpenter, American politician^[27]
• Kip Gross, retired Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros.^[28]
• Galen B. Jackman, U.S. Army major general (retired), Nancy Reagan's escort throughout the state funeral proceedings of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, first commanding general of Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region
• Vic Marker, three-time Midwest Golden Glove boxer, who beat Archie Moore in the Golden Glove Finals in the late 1930s.
• Randy Meisner, former bassist with the Eagles^[29]
• Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011 (graduated from Scottsbluff High School)^[30]
• Nik Ingersoll, Founder of Barnana and one of Forbes 30 Under 30 ^[31]

References

1. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
2. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
3. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
5. "The Twin Cities: Gering and Scottsbluff". Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. University of Nebraska. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
6. Ullrich, Jan F. (2014). New Lakota Dictionary (2nd ed.). Bloomington, IN: Lakota Language Consortium. ISBN 978-0-9761082-9-0.
7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
9. "Climatography of the United States No. 20 1971–2000: SCOTTSBLUFF AP, NE" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
10. "Threaded Extremes". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
11. "Station Name: NE SCOTTSBLUFF HEILIG AP". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
12. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
13. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved October 16, 2013.
14. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Retrieved October 16, 2013.
15. 10 Fattest Cities in America
16. "Platte River Basin Environments : Wildlife Habitat Lands". www.nebwild.org. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
17. "Platte River Basin Environments : Wildlife Habitat Lands". www.nebwild.org. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
18. "Scottsbluff United States Post Office--Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
19. "Midwest Theater « Scottsbluff Historical Theater". midwesttheater.com. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
20. "Lincoln Hotel--Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
21. "Bluffs Middle School - Bluffs Middle School". www.sbps.net. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
22. "Scottsbluff High School - Scottsbluff High School". www.sbps.net. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
23. "Scotts Bluff County Courthouse--Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
24. "Scottsbluff Carnegie Library--Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
25. "Henry John Bauer". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
26. Staff, From; Reports, Wire (1996-04-19). "Berringer Dies in Plane Crash". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
27. LTC. "Nebraska Legislature - Warner Institute for Education in Democracy". www.nebraskalegislature.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
28. "Kip Gross Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
29. "Randy Meisner Bio | Randy Meisner Career". CMT Artists. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
30. "Miss America : 2011". www.missamerica.org. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
31. "Former Scottsbluff man named to Forbes' '30 Under 30' list". starherald.com. Retrieved 2016-03-04.

External links

• Scottsbluff/Gering Star Herald news