Norfolk, Nebraska
Encyclopedia
Norfolk is a city
in Madison County
, Nebraska
, United States
, 113 miles northwest of Omaha
and 83 miles west of Sioux City
at the intersection of U.S. Routes 81
and 275
. The population was 24,210 at the 2010 census, making it the ninth-largest city in Nebraska. It is the principal city of the Norfolk Micropolitan Statistical Area
. Norfolk is the eastern terminus of the Cowboy Trail
.
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. On May 23, 1866, a party of 124 settlers representing 42 families from the Ixonia area set out for northeast Nebraska in three wagon train
s. They arrived at the new site on July 15. A second group of settlers from Wisconsin arrived in July 1867.
The original name of the colony was a variant of "North Fork", but accounts differ on the exact name: "Northfork", "Nor'fork", and "Nordfork" are all suggested. The name was submitted to federal postal authorities, and at some point was transmuted to "Norfolk". The pronunciation "Norfork" is still used by many Nebraskans.
The North Fork settlement had been named the county seat in 1867. 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
.
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. Its arrival at Norfolk in 1879 connected the city through Wisner
to Blair
on the Missouri. The Omaha, Niobrara, and Black Hills branch of the Union Pacific
ran north from the railroad's main line at Duncan
to Norfolk; it reached the city in 1880. The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad was completed to Norfolk in 1882.
The development of these railway connections led to significant growth in the city. In 1886, Norfolk's population reached 1000, making it a city of the second class. A street railway system and a public water supply were established in 1887. 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".
The Nebraska legislature created the Insane Asylum in Norfolk in 1885; it accepted its first patients in 1888. In 1920, the institution's name was changed to the Norfolk State Hospital; in 1962, it became the Norfolk Regional Center
. It is presently a 120-bed institution providing the initial phase of treatment to sex offenders.
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
. 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.
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, Norfolk congressman Karl Stefan
, 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.
In the 1970s, another attempt was made to move the county seat from Madison to Norfolk. In a 1975 countywide election, the move's proponents failed to secure a simple majority. A 60% majority would have been necessary for the measure to pass.
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.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26.2 km²), of which 10 square miles (25.9 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.99%) is water.
of 2000, there were 23,516 people, 9,360 households, and 5,868 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,358.0 people per square mile (910.7/km²). There were 10,072 housing units at an average density of 1,009.9 per square mile (390.1/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.
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.
Major local manufacturers include
Nucor
, which employs about 900 people manufacturing steel products at three locations in Norfolk;
Covidien
, with about 440 employees producing syringes and other medical supplies;
Veyance Technologies, employing about 350 producing high-pressure and hydraulic hose;
Norfolk Iron & Metal, with 320 employees manufacturing steel products;
and Wis-Pak, employing about 100 to produce soft drinks and other beverages.
Major non-manufacturing commercial employers include Wal-Mart
, with about 410 employees, and 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.
, 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.
The Norfolk Public School District has an enrollment of over 4,000 students. There are seven elementary schools; one junior high school; and two high schools, Norfolk High School and Alternatives For Success, the latter described as an "alternative high school".
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 700.
Two Lutheran elementary schools and a high school enroll a total of about 470 pupils. Keystone Christian Academy enrolls about 27 students in pre-school through ninth grade.
is the city's principal newspaper. It is published six days a week (excluding Sundays).
Norfolk has one television station, KXNE-TV 19 (DTV 16), which is part of the NET Television
network.
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
).
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in Madison County
Madison County, Nebraska
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 35,226 people, 13,436 households, and 8,894 families residing in the county. The population density was 62 people per square mile . There were 14,432 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 113 miles northwest of Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
and 83 miles west of Sioux City
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
at the intersection of U.S. Routes 81
U.S. Route 81
U.S. Route 81 is one of the many United States Numbered Highways established in 1926 by the US Department of Agriculture Bureau of Public Roads....
and 275
U.S. Route 275
U.S. Route 275 is a north–south United States highway. It is a branch of US 75, originally terminating at that route in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The highway's northern terminus is in O'Neill, Nebraska, at an intersection with U.S. Highway 20 and U.S. Highway 281. Its southern terminus is near...
. The population was 24,210 at the 2010 census, making it the ninth-largest city in Nebraska. It is the principal city of the Norfolk Micropolitan Statistical Area
Norfolk Micropolitan Statistical Area
The Norfolk Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Nebraska, anchored by the city of Norfolk....
. Norfolk is the eastern terminus of the Cowboy Trail
Cowboy Trail
The Cowboy Trail is a rail trail in northern Nebraska. It is a multi-use recreational trail suitable for bicycling, walking and horseback riding. It occupies an abandoned Chicago and North Western Railway corridor. When complete, the trail will run from Chadron to Norfolk, a length of 321 miles ,...
.
Settlement and early history
In late 1865, three scouts were sent from a German LutheranLutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
settlement near Ixonia, Wisconsin
Ixonia, Wisconsin
Ixonia is a town in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,902 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Ixonia and Pipersville are located within the town.-History:...
to find productive, inexpensive farmland that could be claimed under the Homestead Act
Homestead Act
A homestead act is one of three United States federal laws that gave an applicant freehold title to an area called a "homestead" – typically 160 acres of undeveloped federal land west of the Mississippi River....
. From the Omaha area, they followed the Elkhorn River
Elkhorn River
The Elkhorn River originates in the eastern Sandhills of Nebraska and is one of the largest tributaries of the Platte River, flowing and joining the Platte just southwest of Omaha, approximately 1 mile south and 3 miles west of Gretna.Located in northeast and north-central Nebraska, the Elkhorn...
upstream to West Point
West Point, Nebraska
West Point is a city in and the county seat of Cuming County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,660 at the 2000 census.-History:West Point was first founded in the spring of 1857, when Omaha businessmen formed the Nebraska Settlement Association in order to find suitable townsites in...
. 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. On May 23, 1866, a party of 124 settlers representing 42 families from the Ixonia area set out for northeast Nebraska in three wagon train
Wagon train
A wagon train is a group of wagons traveling together. In the American West, individuals traveling across the plains in covered wagons banded together for mutual assistance, as is reflected in numerous films and television programs about the region, such as Audie Murphy's Tumbleweed and Ward Bond...
s. They arrived at the new site on July 15. A second group of settlers from Wisconsin arrived in July 1867.
The original name of the colony was a variant of "North Fork", but accounts differ on the exact name: "Northfork", "Nor'fork", and "Nordfork" are all suggested. The name was submitted to federal postal authorities, and at some point was transmuted to "Norfolk". The pronunciation "Norfork" is still used by many Nebraskans.
The North Fork settlement had been named the county seat in 1867. 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
Madison, Nebraska
Madison is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,367 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
was chosen over Battle Creek
Battle Creek, Nebraska
Battle Creek is a city in Madison County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,158 at the 2000 census.-History:...
.
Railroads and growth
The Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley RailroadFremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad
The Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad , sometimes called "the Elkhorn," was an American railroad established in 1869 in Nebraska.-About:...
was built after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills
Black Hills
The Black Hills are a small, isolated mountain range rising from the Great Plains of North America in western South Dakota and extending into Wyoming, USA. Set off from the main body of the Rocky Mountains, the region is something of a geological anomaly—accurately described as an "island of...
in South Dakota; it ran from the Omaha area up the Elkhorn valley, then across northern Nebraska and into South Dakota. Its arrival at Norfolk in 1879 connected the city through Wisner
Wisner, Nebraska
Wisner is a city in Cuming County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,270 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wisner is located at ....
to Blair
Blair, Nebraska
Blair is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 7,990 at the 2000 census. Blair is a part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
on the Missouri. The Omaha, Niobrara, and Black Hills branch of the Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
ran north from the railroad's main line at Duncan
Duncan, Nebraska
Duncan is a village in Platte County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 359 at the 2000 census.-History:The transcontinental railroad reached the site of Duncan in 1866...
to Norfolk; it reached the city in 1880. The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad was completed to Norfolk in 1882.
The development of these railway connections led to significant growth in the city. In 1886, Norfolk's population reached 1000, making it a city of the second class. A street railway system and a public water supply were established in 1887. 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".
The Nebraska legislature created the Insane Asylum in Norfolk in 1885; it accepted its first patients in 1888. In 1920, the institution's name was changed to the Norfolk State Hospital; in 1962, it became the Norfolk Regional Center
Norfolk Regional Center
The Norfolk Regional Center is a psychiatric hospital located in Norfolk, Nebraska. It is one of three regional centers operated by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services....
. It is presently a 120-bed institution providing the initial phase of treatment to sex offenders.
The automobile age
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. In 1915, petitions were filed for an election to move the county seat from Madison to Norfolk; however, the measure failed to secure the necessary number of votes.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
Meridian Highway Bridge
The Meridian Highway Bridge is a bridge that formerly carried US Route 81 across the Missouri River from the Nebraska border to the South Dakota border. The Meridian Highway Bridge connects Yankton, South Dakota, with rural Cedar County, Nebraska...
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
U.S. Route 81
U.S. Route 81 is one of the many United States Numbered Highways established in 1926 by the US Department of Agriculture Bureau of Public Roads....
. 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
O'Neill, Nebraska
O'Neill is a city in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,733 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Holt County.-Geography:O'Neill is located at ....
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 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.
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
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
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
Sioux Gateway Airport
-History:The construction of Sioux City Army Air Base began in March 1942, about three months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Opened on 5 July 1942, it became a major training center during World War II for crew members of B-24 Liberators and B-17 Flying Fortresses...
. After the war, Norfolk congressman Karl Stefan
Karl Stefan
Karl Stefan was a US State of Nebraska Republican politician.He was born on a farm in Zebrakov, Bohemia on March 1, 1884. In 1885 he moved with his parents to Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A.. He was taught in the public schools and later a Y.M.C.A. night school...
, 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.
In the 1970s, another attempt was made to move the county seat from Madison to Norfolk. In a 1975 countywide election, the move's proponents failed to secure a simple majority. A 60% majority would have been necessary for the measure to pass.
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.
Geography
Norfolk is located at 42°1′42"N 97°26′01"W (42.0283379, -97.4169964).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26.2 km²), of which 10 square miles (25.9 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.99%) is water.
Climate
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High °F | 74 | 76 | 88 | 95 | 103 | 106 | 113 | 107 | 101 | 95 | 83 | 71 |
| Norm High °F | 31.2 | 37.3 | 48.5 | 61.3 | 72.3 | 82.3 | 86.5 | 84.4 | 76.4 | 64 | 45.5 | 33.6 |
| Norm Low °F | 9.6 | 15.5 | 25.4 | 36.8 | 48.3 | 58 | 63 | 61 | 50.4 | 38 | 24.7 | 13.7 |
| Rec Low °F | -27 | -26 | -20 | 2 | 24 | 38 | 42 | 40 | 26 | 11 | -15 | -30 |
| Precip (in) | 0.57 | 0.76 | 1.97 | 2.59 | 3.92 | 4.25 | 3.74 | 2.8 | 2.25 | 1.72 | 1.44 | 0.65 |
| Source: USTravelWeather.com http://www.ustravelweather.com/weather-nebraska/norfolk-weather.asp | ||||||||||||
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 23,516 people, 9,360 households, and 5,868 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,358.0 people per square mile (910.7/km²). There were 10,072 housing units at an average density of 1,009.9 per square mile (390.1/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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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.
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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
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.Major local manufacturers include
Nucor
Nucor
Nucor Corporation , a Fortune 300 company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the largest steel producers in the United States, and the largest of the "mini-mill" operators...
, which employs about 900 people manufacturing steel products at three locations in Norfolk;
Covidien
Covidien
Covidien , formerly Tyco Healthcare, is a healthcare device and supply company, incorporated in Dublin, Ireland, although its corporate offices are located in Mansfield, Massachusetts. On June 29, 2007, Covidien became an independent publicly traded company after being spun off from Tyco...
, with about 440 employees producing syringes and other medical supplies;
Veyance Technologies, employing about 350 producing high-pressure and hydraulic hose;
Norfolk Iron & Metal, with 320 employees manufacturing steel products;
and Wis-Pak, employing about 100 to produce soft drinks and other beverages.
Major non-manufacturing commercial employers include Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
, with about 410 employees, and Affiliated Foods Midwest
Affiliated Foods Midwest
Affiliated Foods Midwest is a retailers' cooperative based in Norfolk, Nebraska and Elwood, Kansas and serving the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan...
, 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.
Education
Norfolk has a single post-secondary educational institution, Northeast Community CollegeNortheast Community College
Northeast Community College is a community college system located in Northeast Nebraska.Established by the state legislature in 1973 as a comprehensive community college offering vocational/technical, liberal arts, college transfer, and continuing education, Northeast Community College is a...
, 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.
The Norfolk Public School District has an enrollment of over 4,000 students. There are seven elementary schools; one junior high school; and two high schools, Norfolk High School and Alternatives For Success, the latter described as an "alternative high school".
There are several private elementary and high schools in the city.
Norfolk Catholic Schools operates a grade school and Norfolk Catholic High School
Norfolk Catholic High School
Norfolk Catholic Jr./Sr. High School is a parochial Roman Catholic high school located in Norfolk, Nebraska, USA. The school is affiliated with Sacred Heart Parish in the Archdiocese of Omaha. Founded in 1926 by Father Daniel Moriarity, the school was originally located at 6th St. and Madison Ave...
, with a total enrollment of about 700.
Two Lutheran elementary schools and a high school enroll a total of about 470 pupils. Keystone Christian Academy enrolls about 27 students in pre-school through ninth grade.
Media
The Norfolk Daily NewsNorfolk Daily News
Norfolk Daily News is a daily newspaper located in downtown Norfolk, Nebraska, and is one of just a handful of daily newspapers owned and managed by an individual family. Kent Warneke serves as editor of the Norfolk Daily News.-History:...
is the city's principal newspaper. It is published six days a week (excluding Sundays).
Norfolk has one television station, KXNE-TV 19 (DTV 16), which is part of the NET Television
Nebraska Educational Telecommunications
Nebraska Educational Telecommunications is a state network of non-commercial educational public broadcasting radio and television stations in Nebraska and is based in Lincoln. It is operated by the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission...
network.
Norfolk has one AM
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
station: WJAG
WJAG
WJAG is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Norfolk, Nebraska, USA. The station has been owned by WJAG, Inc. since 1922 and is managed by Bradley S. Hughes.-Programming:...
780 (news/talk). There are seven FM
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
stations: KXNE-FM
Nebraska Educational Telecommunications
Nebraska Educational Telecommunications is a state network of non-commercial educational public broadcasting radio and television stations in Nebraska and is based in Lincoln. It is operated by the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission...
89.3 (public radio); KPNO 90.9 (Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
talk); K219DW 91.9 (Christian talk); KUSO
Kuso
Kuso is the term used in East Asia for the internet culture that generally includes all types of camp and parody. In Japanese, means shit, and is often uttered as an interjection. It is considered milder than its English counterpart, more comparable to damn. It is also used to describe outrageous...
92.7 (country); KNEN
KNEN
KNEN is a radio station broadcasting a Classic rock format. Licensed to Norfolk, Nebraska, USA, the station is currently owned by Red Beacon Communications, LLC.-History:...
94.7 (Rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
); KEXL
KEXL
KEXL is a radio station broadcasting a Hot Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to Pierce, Nebraska, USA, the station is currently owned by WJAG, Inc. and features programing from Westwood One and Fox News Radio....
97.5 (adult contemporary), and KQKX
KQKX
-History:KQKX previously had the KEXL callsign and aired a Hot Adult Contemporary format known as "106.7 The X"...
106.7 (country
Country
A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
).
Notable residents
- Television host Johnny CarsonJohnny CarsonJohn William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
(born in Corning, IowaCorning, IowaAs of the census of 2000, there were 1,783 people, 803 households, and 452 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,132.3 people per square mile . There were 880 housing units at an average density of 558.9 per square mile...
) moved to Norfolk at the age of 8 and graduated from Norfolk High School. - Model rocketry was invented in Norfolk in 1954 by Orville CarlisleOrville CarlisleOrville H. Carlisle , a shoe salesman in Norfolk, Nebraska invented the hobby that would become known as model rocketry.In 1953, Orville and his brother Robert were joint owners of a shoe store on 420 Norfolk Ave...
, working in the basement of his shoe store on 420 Norfolk Avenue. - Norfolk is the birthplace of Thurl RavenscroftThurl RavenscroftThurl Arthur Ravenscroft was an American voice actor and singer best known as the deep voice behind Tony the Tiger's "They're grrreat!" in Frosted Flakes television commercials for more than five decades. Ravenscroft was also known, however uncredited, as the vocalist for the song "You're a Mean...
, best known as the voice of "Tony the Tiger" and as the singer of the song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". - Max CarlMax CarlMax Carl Gronenthal is an American rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter. He is the current lead singer of the classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad...
(Gronenthal), singer and songwriter for .38 Special, grew up in HumphreyHumphrey, NebraskaHumphrey is a city in Platte County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 786 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Humphrey is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, and graduated from a Norfolk High School. He was with the band for its Rock & Roll StrategyRock & Roll StrategyRock & Roll Strategy is the eighth studio album by southern rock band 38 Special, released in 1988. It was the first album to feature new vocalist and keyboardist Max Carl...
and Bone Against SteelBone Against SteelBone Against Steel is the ninth studio album by southern rock band 38 Special, released in 1991. It was their last album until their 1996 comeback of their tenth album Resolution and the last album to feature vocalist and keyboardist Max Carl....
albums, and co-wrote the #1 hit song "Second Chance". - Joyce BallantyneJoyce BallantyneJoyce Ballantyne was a painter of pin-up art. She is best known as the designer of the Coppertone girl, whose swimming costume is being pulled down by a dog.-Early life and career:...
, painter of pin-up art, was born in Norfolk. - Joyce HallJoyce HallJoyce Clyde Hall , an American businessman, was the founder of Hallmark Cards.- Biography :Born in David City, Nebraska, the son of Frank Dudley Houston and George Nelson Hall, a minister, Hall worked odd jobs, mostly involving sales, from age 8 on to supplement the meager income of his father...
, who created the Norfolk Post Card Company in 1908. The company eventually moved to Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, where it became Hallmark CardsHallmark CardsHallmark Cards is a privately owned American company based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1910 by Joyce C. Hall, Hallmark is the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States. In 1985, the company was awarded the National Medal of Arts....
. - Scott MunterScott MunterScott Michael Munter is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently playing in the San Diego Padres organization. He attended St. James/Seton grade school and Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska...
, pitcher for the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, was born in Norfolk. - Shane OsbornShane OsbornShane Osborn was the State Treasurer in Nebraska until he was succeeded by Don Stenberg on January 6, 2011....
, pilot of the plane downed in the Hainan Island incidentHainan Island incidentOn April 1, 2001, a mid-air collision between a United States Navy EP-3E ARIES II signals intelligence aircraft and a People's Liberation Army Navy J-8II interceptor fighter jet resulted in an international dispute between the United States and the People's Republic of China called the Hainan...
, and later Nebraska State TreasurerState TreasurerIn the state governments of the United States, 49 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. Texas abolished the position of Texas State Treasurer in 1996....
, was raised in Norfolk and graduated from Norfolk High School. - Don StewartDon Stewart (actor)Donald Bruce Stewart was an American actor best known for his long-running role as attorney Mike Bauer on Guiding Light. Stewart appeared on Guiding Light from 1968 to 1984, with a brief return appearance in 1997....
, actor best known for his role in Guiding LightGuiding LightGuiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009... - Doris PawnDoris PawnDoris Pawn was an American actress who appeared in films of the silent era.-Early life:Pawn was born and raised in Norfolk, Nebraska. She was the third Nebraskan woman to make a name for herself as an actress. Previously, Mrs...
, an actress in silent motion pictures - Jim BuchananJim BuchananJames Forrest Buchanan was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of one season with the St. Louis Browns. For his career, he compiled a 5-9 record in 22 appearances, with a 3.50 earned run average and 54 strikeouts.Buchanan attended Austin College and Midland...
, a major-league baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Browns - Patrick M. MartinPatrick M. MartinPatrick Minor Martin was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in Norfolk, Nebraska, Martin attended the public schools....
, later a U.S. Representative for CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... - The Smoke RingThe Smoke Ring (band)The Smoke Ring was a rock band from Norfolk, Nebraska active in the 1960s. It was formed from two previous regionally popular rock and roll groups, Little Joe & the Ramrods and The Strollers...
, a 1960s rock band. - Tanner Pflueger, title name star of Billy Elliot the MusicalBilly Elliot the MusicalBilly Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
on Broadway and the London West End. - Jeromey ClaryJeromey ClaryJeromey W. Clary is an American football offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, an offensive tackle for the San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, was born in Norfolk. - Bill LafleurBill LafleurWilliam Lafleur is a former American football punter who played four pro seasons in the NFL. He spent two seasons playing in Europe for the Barcelona Dragons, and played another two for the San Francisco 49ers...
, punter for San Francisco 49ers for two years. Graduated from Norfolk Catholic in 1994.