Editing Norfolk, Nebraska

{{Short description|City in Nebraska}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Norfolk, Nebraska
| official_name                   = 
| settlement_type                 = [[List of cities in Nebraska|City]]
| image_skyline                   = Downtown Norfolk, Nebraska2.jpg
| imagesize                       = 250px
| image_caption                   = Downtown Norfolk
| image_flag                      = 
| image_seal                      = 
| image_map                       = Madison_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Norfolk_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                         = 250px
| map_caption                     = Location in Madison County and the state of Nebraska
| image_map1                      = 
| mapsize1                        = 
| map_caption1                    = 
| pushpin_map                     = USA Nebraska#USA
| pushpin_label                   = Norfolk
| pushpin_map_caption             = 
| pushpin_relief                  = yes
| coordinates                     = {{coord|42|01|41|N|97|25|45|W|region:US-NE|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = United States
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in Nebraska|County]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Nebraska]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Madison County, Nebraska|Madison]]
| established_title               = Founded
| established_date                = 1866
| government_type                 = 
| leader_title                    = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name                     = 
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web |title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Nebraska|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_31.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref>
| area_total_km2                  = 47.58
| area_land_km2                   = 46.56
| area_water_km2                  = 1.02
| area_total_sq_mi                = 18.37
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 17.98
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.39
| area_urban_km2                  = 
| area_urban_sq_mi                = 
| area_metro_km2                  = 
| area_metro_sq_mi                = 
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft                    = 1532
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US3134615&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Norfolk city, Nebraska: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=June 17, 2024}}</ref>
| population_total                = 24955
| pop_est_as_of                   = 
| pop_est_footnotes               = 
| population_est                  = 
| population_density_km2          = 535.97
| population_density_sq_mi        = 1388.16
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code                     = 68701-68702
| area_code                       = [[Area code 402|402]]
| timezone                        = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset                      = -6
| timezone_DST                    = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = -5
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 31-34615
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = 2395248<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395248}}</ref>
| website                         = {{URL|norfolkne.gov}}
| footnotes                       = 
}}

'''Norfolk''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɔər|f|ɔər|k}} {{respell|NOR|fork}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɔər|f|oʊ|k}} {{respell|NOR|fohk}}) is a [[city]] in [[Madison County, Nebraska|Madison County]], [[Nebraska]], United States, 113 miles northwest of [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]] and 76 miles southwest of [[Sioux City, Iowa]], at the intersection of U.S. Routes [[U.S. Route 81 in Nebraska|81]] and [[U.S. Route 275 in Nebraska|275]]. The population was 24,955 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> making it the [[List of cities in Nebraska|seventh-most populous city in Nebraska]]. It is the principal city of the [[Norfolk Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==

===Settlement and early history===
In late 1865 three scouts were sent from a German [[Lutheranism|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, Nebraska|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.<ref name=pangle>Pangle, Mary Ellen.  ''A History of Norfolk''.  Published serially in ''Norfolk Daily News''.  1929.</ref>{{rp|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 train]]s. They arrived at the new site on July 15.<ref name=pangle />{{rp|8}} A second group of settlers from Wisconsin arrived in July 1867.<ref name=pangle />{{rp|19}} These collective wagon parties established the first church in Madison County, St. Paul's Lutheran, which is still operating today.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reichert |first1=Mark |title=History and Beliefs of St. Paul's-Norfolk |url=https://www.stpls.com/what-we-believe |website=St. Paul's Lutheran History and Beliefs |publisher=Mark Reichert |access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Schmeckpeper |first1=Sheryl |title=New historical marker tells church’s story |url=https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/new-historical-marker-tells-church-s-story/article_c030e7d4-2f6b-11e8-943e-cb99cb11da8a.html |website=Norfolk Daily News |access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref>

The original name of the colony was a variant of "North Fork", but accounts differ on the exact name: "Northfork",<ref name=pangle />{{rp|32}} "Nor'fork", and "Nordfork"<ref name=perkey>Perkey, Elton. ''Perkey's Nebraska Place Names''. Nebraska State Historical Society.  1982.</ref> 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.<ref name=pangle />{{rp|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, Nebraska|Madison]] was chosen over [[Battle Creek, Nebraska|Battle Creek]].<ref name=pangle />{{rp|56–7}}

===Railroads and growth===
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.<ref>[http://www.railstotrails.org/news/recurringFeatures/trailMonth/archives/0905.html "Nebraska's Cowboy Trail".] Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. May 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-02.</ref> Its arrival at Norfolk in 1879 connected the city through [[Wisner, Nebraska|Wisner]] to [[Blair, Nebraska|Blair]] on the Missouri.<ref name=pangle />{{rp|60}} The Omaha, Niobrara, and Black Hills branch of the [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]] ran north from the railroad's main line at [[Columbus, Nebraska|Columbus]] to Norfolk;<ref>[http://www.ci.humphrey.ne.us/ "Welcome to Humphrey, Nebraska".] City of Humphrey website. Retrieved 2010-01-02.</ref> it reached the city in 1880.<ref name=histbuild>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20061116014713/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/madison_county.pdf "Madison County, Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey".]}} Nebraska State Historical Society. August 2001. Retrieved 2010-01-03.</ref>{{rp|14}} The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad was completed to Norfolk in 1882.<ref name=histbuild />{{rp|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.<ref name=pangle />{{rp|80}} A street railway system and a public water supply were established in 1887.<ref name=pangle />{{rp|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".<ref name=pangle />{{rp|85}}

The Nebraska legislature created the Insane Asylum in Norfolk in 1885;<ref name=insane>[http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/docs/hhsshistory2-01.pdf "Nebraska Health and Human Services System Chronological History".] Nebraska Health and Human Services System. Retrieved 2010-01-03.</ref> it accepted its first patients in 1888.<ref name=pangle />{{rp|84}} In 1920, the institution's name was changed to the Norfolk State Hospital; in 1962, it became the [[Norfolk Regional Center]].<ref name=insane /> As of 2010, it was a 120-bed institution providing the initial phase of treatment to sex offenders.<ref name=nrc>[http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/beh/rc/nrcserv.htm "Norfolk Regional Center".]  [http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/index.htm Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221042520/http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/index.htm |date=2011-02-21 }} Retrieved 2010-10-07. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110102153055/http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/beh/rc/nrcserv.htm Archived 2011-01-02] at Wayback Machine.</ref>

===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.<ref name=histbuild />{{rp|14}} In 1915, petitions were filed for an election to move the [[county seat]] from [[Madison, Nebraska|Madison]] to Norfolk. The measure, however, failed to secure the necessary number of votes.<ref name=madisonhistory>Madison County Historical Society. ''125 Years of Memories: 1867-1992''. Locally published, 1993.</ref>{{rp|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 Highway Bridge|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. Route 81|U.S. Highway 81]].<ref name=meridian>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100620230030/http://nebraskahistory.org/histpres/nebraska/pierce/PC00-Meridian_Highway.pdf "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Meridian Highway".]}} Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 2010-01-03.</ref> 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, Nebraska|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.<ref>Koster, George E. [http://www.dor.state.ne.us/history/docs/history-general.pdf "A Story of Highway Development in Nebraska".] Nebraska Department of Roads. 1997. p. 44. Retrieved 2010-01-03.</ref>

[[File:Karl Stefan Airport SE View.JPG|thumb|alt=One-story building with two-story central section; rounded corners|Former terminal building, [[Norfolk Regional Airport|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 [[Works Progress Administration|WPA]] began construction of a [[Norfolk Regional Airport|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 Gateway Airport|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.<ref name=airport1>Ebeling, Mary R., and Christina Slattery.  {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100620195053/http://nebraskahistory.org/histpres/nebraska/madison/MD00-023_Karl_Stefan_Airpt.pdf "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Karl Stefan Memorial Airport Administration Building".]}} {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110307215553/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/index.shtml Nebraska State Historical Society.]}}  Retrieved 2011-11-03.</ref>

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.<ref name=madisonhistory/>{{rp|8}}

On September 26, 2002, three gunmen robbed a [[U.S. Bancorp|US Bank]] branch in Norfolk, killing five people in the process. This was the nation's deadliest bank robbery in at least a decade.<ref>[http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/119002.html "Five Dead in Norfolk Bank Robbery".] WOWT-TV website. 2002-09-26. Retrieved 2009-12-30.</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://journalstar.com/norfolk-bank-robbery-a-timeline/article_cadab6c1-36e5-5401-b5a3-eb777cfedcbd.html|title=Norfolk bank robbery: A timeline|work=Lincoln Journal Star|last=Pilger|first=Lori}}</ref> Additionally, Sandoval pleaded guilty to two additional murders that occurred before the bank robbery and was given a life sentence for each victim.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/convicted-u-s-bank-murderer-adds-another-two-murders-to-his-body-count/article_78d54e1e-9e2f-51fa-a5be-82046faad7b5.html|title=Convicted U.S. Bank murderer adds another two murders to his body count|last=Schulz|first=Tricia|work=Norfolk Daily News|date=July 22, 2008|accessdate=November 26, 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
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 {{convert|45|mi}} to [[Columbus, Nebraska]], and north {{convert|58|mi}} to [[Yankton, South Dakota]]. [[U.S. Route 275]] passes through the southern part of Norfolk on Omaha Avenue and leads southeast {{convert|42|mi}} to [[West Point, Nebraska|West Point]] and northwest {{convert|75|mi}} to [[O'Neill, Nebraska|O'Neill]]. [[Nebraska Highway 35]] leads northeast from Norfolk {{convert|31|mi}} to [[Wayne, Nebraska|Wayne]].

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], Norfolk has a total area of {{convert|18.5|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|18.1|sqmi|sqkm|1}} are land and {{convert|0.4|sqmi|sqkm|1}}, or 2.12%, water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/> The [[Elkhorn River]] passes through the southern part of the city, flowing southeast to join the [[Platte River]] west of Omaha.

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Norfolk, Nebraska ([[Karl Stefan Memorial Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals,{{efn|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.}} extremes 1893–present
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high F = 74
|Feb record high F = 76
|Mar record high F = 92
|Apr record high F = 102
|May record high F = 106
|Jun record high F = 109
|Jul record high F = 116
|Aug record high F = 110
|Sep record high F = 106
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 83
|Dec record high F = 72
|year record high F = 116
|Jan avg record high F = 57
|Feb avg record high F = 62
|Mar avg record high F = 76
|Apr avg record high F = 85
|May avg record high F = 91
|Jun avg record high F = 95
|Jul avg record high F = 97
|Aug avg record high F = 96
|Sep avg record high F = 92
|Oct avg record high F = 86
|Nov avg record high F = 73
|Dec avg record high F = 58
|year avg record high F = 99
|Jan high F = 32.7
|Feb high F = 37.0
|Mar high F = 49.6
|Apr high F = 61.4
|May high F = 72.2
|Jun high F = 82.2
|Jul high F = 86.4
|Aug high F = 84.0
|Sep high F = 77.4
|Oct high F = 63.6
|Nov high F = 48.3
|Dec high F = 35.7
|year high F = 60.9
|Jan mean F = 22.3
|Feb mean F = 26.3
|Mar mean F = 37.8
|Apr mean F = 48.9
|May mean F = 60.1
|Jun mean F = 70.4
|Jul mean F = 74.8
|Aug mean F = 72.4
|Sep mean F = 64.4
|Oct mean F = 50.8
|Nov mean F = 36.8
|Dec mean F = 25.7
|year mean F = 49.2
|Jan low F = 11.8
|Feb low F = 15.6
|Mar low F = 26.0
|Apr low F = 36.5
|May low F = 48.0
|Jun low F = 58.6
|Jul low F = 63.2
|Aug low F = 60.8
|Sep low F = 51.3
|Oct low F = 38.1
|Nov low F = 25.2
|Dec low F = 15.6
|year low F = 37.6
|Jan avg record low F = −11
|Feb avg record low F = -5
|Mar avg record low F = 5
|Apr avg record low F = 21
|May avg record low F = 34
|Jun avg record low F = 46
|Jul avg record low F = 51
|Aug avg record low F = 49
|Sep avg record low F = 35
|Oct avg record low F = 21
|Nov avg record low F = 7
|Dec avg record low F = -6
|year avg record low F = −4
|Jan record low F = −39
|Feb record low F = −35
|Mar record low F = −20
|Apr record low F = −5
|May record low F = 21
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 42
|Aug record low F = 36
|Sep record low F = 20
|Oct record low F = 2
|Nov record low F = −15
|Dec record low F = −30
|year record low F = -39
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.61
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.80
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.44
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.73
|May precipitation inch = 4.00
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.37
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.98
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.50
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.37
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.15
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.22
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.84
|year precipitation inch = 27.01
|Jan snow inch = 6.9
|Feb snow inch = 6.1
|Mar snow inch = 4.5
|Apr snow inch = 2.3
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.8
|Nov snow inch = 3.2
|Dec snow inch = 6.1
|year snow inch = 29.9
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 6.1
|Feb precipitation days = 6.2
|Mar precipitation days = 7.6
|Apr precipitation days = 9.6
|May precipitation days = 11.8
|Jun precipitation days = 10.8
|Jul precipitation days = 9.2
|Aug precipitation days = 9.3
|Sep precipitation days = 7.8
|Oct precipitation days = 7.4
|Nov precipitation days = 5.7
|Dec precipitation days = 6.0
|year precipitation days = 97.5
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 5.1
|Feb snow days = 4.9
|Mar snow days = 3.1
|Apr snow days = 1.5
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.6
|Nov snow days = 2.3
|Dec snow days = 4.4
|year snow days = 21.9
|Jan humidity = 67.8
|Feb humidity = 70.3
|Mar humidity = 68.4
|Apr humidity = 60.6
|May humidity = 63.1
|Jun humidity = 62.2
|Jul humidity = 65.6
|Aug humidity = 69.1
|Sep humidity = 65.6
|Oct humidity = 63.8
|Nov humidity = 69.3
|Dec humidity = 72.3
|year humidity = 66.5
|source 1 = [[NOAA]] (humidity 1961–1990)<ref name=nws>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=oax
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 11, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014941&format=pdf
| title = Station: Norfolk Karl Stefan AP, NE
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = November 11, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NOAAsun>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72556.TXT
| title = WMO Climate Normals for Norfolk/Karl Stefan, NE 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = November 11, 2021}}</ref> 
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 547
|1890= 3038
|1900= 3883
|1910= 6025
|1920= 8634
|1930= 10717
|1940= 10490
|1950= 11335
|1960= 13111
|1970= 16607
|1980= 19449
|1990= 21476
|2000= 23516
|2010= 24210
|2020= 24955
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=October 16, 2013}}</ref>
}}
===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov| access-date=2023-12-18 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> 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/km{{sup|2}}). There were 11,112 housing units at an average density of 618.0 per square mile (238.7/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup was 80.34% (20,048) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 1.52% (380) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black or African-American]], 1.82% (453) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.13% (282) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% (4) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 7.28% (1,816) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 7.9% (1,972) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov|access-date=2023-12-18|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> 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===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-06-24}}</ref> of 2010, there were 24,210 people, 9,910 households, and 6,005 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2264.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 10,625 housing units at an average density of {{convert|993.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 88.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 6.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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===
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 {{convert|2,358.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 10,072 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,009.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.41% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.16% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.53% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.48% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.19% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.19% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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==
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.<ref name=facts>[http://sites.nppd.com/aedc/FactsBook/Norfolkbook.pdf "Community Facts - Norfolk, Nebraska".]  [http://sites.nppd.com/ Economic & Demographic Information, Nebraska Public Power District.]  Retrieved 2011-11-03.</ref>

Major local manufacturers include:
*[[Nucor]], which employs about 1,200 people manufacturing steel products at four locations in Norfolk<ref name=nucor>[http://www.nucor.com/products/locations/us/ "Nucor U.S. Locations".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111180455/http://www.nucor.com/products/locations/us/ |date=2014-11-11 }}  [http://www.nucor.com/ Nucor.]  Retrieved 2011-11-03.</ref> 
*[[Covidien]], with about 440 employees producing syringes and other medical supplies<ref name=covidien50>Harris, Kathryn.  [http://www.norfolkdailynews.com/home/covidien-celebrates-years-in-norfolk/article_2c570934-0624-11e1-a4a2-0019bb30f31a.html "Covidien celebrates 50 years in Norfolk".]  [http://www.norfolkdailynews.com/ ''Norfolk Daily News''.]  2011-11-03.  Retrieved 2011-11-03.</ref>
*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<ref name=fastfacts>[http://www.sites.nppd.com/aedc/fastfacts.asp?city=Norfolk "Nebraska Community 'Fast Facts' Profile: Norfolk, Nebraska.]  [http://sites.nppd.com/ Economic & Demographic Information, Nebraska Public Power District.]  Retrieved 2011-11-03.</ref>

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.<ref name=fastfacts/>

[[File:Northeast Community College sign.JPG|thumb|alt="Northeast Community College" sign on lawn in foreground; low wide-spreading building of fairly recent design behind it|Northeast Community College]]

==Education==
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 [[General Educational Development|GED]] preparation, English as a second language, and preparation for the [[United States nationality law#Naturalization|Naturalization]] test.<ref name=facts/>

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".<ref name=publicschools>[http://www.norfolkpublicschools.org/ "Welcome to Norfolk Public Schools".]  Retrieved 2011-11-03.</ref> 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.<ref name=facts/><ref name=norfolkcatholic>[http://www.norfolkcatholic.org/about-our-schools/history-of-our-school/ "History of Our School".]  [http://www.norfolkcatholic.org/ Norfolk Catholic School.]  Retrieved 2011-11-03.</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School |url=https://www.stpls.com/}}</ref> Keystone Christian Academy enrolled about 60 students in pre-school through twelfth grade until its closure in May 2019.<ref name=facts/>

==Media==
The ''[[Norfolk Daily News]]'' is the city's principal newspaper. It is published six days a week (excluding Sundays).<ref>[http://www.norfolkdailynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=151 "Subscription/Delivery Information".]  ''Norfolk Daily News'' website.  Retrieved 2009-12-30.</ref>

Norfolk has two television stations, KXNE-TV 19 (DTV 16), which is part of the [[Nebraska Educational Telecommunications|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 [[amplitude modulation|AM]] station: [[WJAG]] 780 (news/talk). There are seven [[frequency modulation|FM]] stations: [[Nebraska Educational Telecommunications|KXNE-FM]] 89.3 (public radio); [[KPNO (FM)|KPNO]] 90.9 (Christian talk); K219DW 91.9 (Christian talk); [[KUSO]] 92.7 (country); [[KNEN]] 94.7 ([[Rock music|rock]]); [[KEXL]] 97.5 ([[adult contemporary]]), and [[KQKX]] 106.7 ([[country music|country]]).

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
Intercity bus service to the city is provided by [[Express Arrow]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://expressarrow.com/locations/|title=Locations|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>

There is one commercial airport, [[Norfolk Regional Airport]].

==Notable people==
*[[Joyce Ballantyne]], painter of [[pin-up|pin-up art]]; born in Norfolk
*[[Jim Buchanan (baseball)|Jim Buchanan]], a major-league baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Browns
*[[Max Carl]] (Gronenthal), singer and songwriter for [[38 Special (band)|.38 Special]]; grew up in [[Humphrey, Nebraska|Humphrey]] and graduated from a Norfolk High School
*[[Orville Carlisle]], inventor of [[model rocketry]] in 1954, working in the basement of his shoe store
*Television host [[Johnny Carson]] (born in [[Corning, Iowa]]) moved to Norfolk at the age of 8 and graduated from Norfolk High School.
*[[Jeromey Clary]], offensive tackle for the [[San Diego Chargers]]; born in Norfolk<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/players/jeromeyclary/profile?id=CLA683232 "Jeromey Clary".]  [http://www.nfl.com/ National Football League.]  Retrieved 2010-02-20.</ref>
*[[Mike Flood (politician)|Mike Flood]], [[U.S. representative]] for [[Nebraska's 1st congressional district]]
*[[Judi M. gaiashkibos]], executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mabry |first1=John |title=A 'Junkyard Dog' Fighting for the Underdog |url=https://journalstar.com/niche/l-magazine/profiles/a-junkyard-dog-fighting-for-the-underdog/article_c678b5b1-6c8e-53f4-a56c-d81561b5ee52.html |access-date=July 30, 2023 |work=[[Lincoln Journal Star]] |date=May 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322064828/https://journalstar.com/niche/l-magazine/profiles/a-junkyard-dog-fighting-for-the-underdog/article_c678b5b1-6c8e-53f4-a56c-d81561b5ee52.html |archive-date=March 22, 2020 |location=Lincoln, Nebraska}}</ref>
*[[Joyce Hall]], who created the Norfolk Post Card Company in 1908. The company eventually moved to [[Kansas City, Missouri]], where it became [[Hallmark Cards]].
*[[Philip N. Krasne]], producer of the later [[Charlie Chan]] films and the [[Cisco Kid]] television series
*[[Bill Lafleur]], punter for San Francisco 49ers for two years; graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School in 1994
*[[Patrick M. Martin]], later a congressman from [[California]]
*[[Scott Munter]], pitcher for the [[San Francisco Giants]]; born in Norfolk
*[[Shane Osborn]], pilot of the plane downed in the [[Hainan Island incident]], and later Nebraska [[State treasurer|State Treasurer]]; raised in Norfolk and graduated from Norfolk High School
*[[Doris Pawn]], actress in silent motion pictures
*[[Thurl Ravenscroft]], best known as the voice of "Tony the Tiger" and as the singer of the song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"; born in Norfolk
*[[The Smoke Ring (band)|The Smoke Ring]], 1960s rock band
*[[Don Stewart (actor)|Don Stewart]], actor best known for his role in ''[[Guiding Light]]''
*[[Dean White (businessman)|Dean White]], billionaire entrepreneur<ref name=Crains>{{cite news|last1=Granito|first1=Alison|title=The richest man you've never heard of|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20051015/ISSUE02/100024642/white|access-date=7 September 2015|work=Crain's|date=15 October 2005}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikivoyage|Norfolk (Nebraska)|Norfolk, Nebraska}}
*{{Official|norfolkne.gov}}
*[http://www.norfolk.ne.us/ Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Madison County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}

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[[Category:Norfolk, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Cities in Madison County, Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1866]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in Nebraska Territory]]