Gering, Nebraska
Encyclopedia
Gering is a city in Scotts Bluff County
, Nebraska
, United States
. It is part of the Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,751 at the 2000 census
. It is the county seat
of Scotts Bluff County
.
Gering was founded in 1887 at the base of the bluff that is now the center of Scotts Bluff National Monument
. The city of Scottsbluff
was founded across the North Platte River
from the bluff in 1900. Separated only by the river, the two cities have since grown together and now form the 7th largest urban area in Nebraska.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), all of it land.
classmates, and the Old Settlers reunion all congregate in Gering for a weekend full of activities.
Oregon Trail Days weekend kicks off with the community barbecue on Thursday night, Annual Kiddie Parade on 10th Street Friday morning, International Food Fair Downtown Gering Friday night, Annual Oregon Trail Days Parade Saturday morning followed by the annual Chili-Cookoff in Oregon Trail Park, and concert at Five Rocks Amphitheater Saturday evening.
of 2000, there were 7,751 people, 3,173 households, and 2,170 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,067.8 people per square mile (798.0/km²). There were 3,332 housing units at an average density of 888.9 per square mile (343.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.48% White, 0.13% African American, 1.14% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.56% from other races
, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.40% of the population.
There were 3,173 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,185, and the median income for a family was $42,378. Males had a median income of $32,750 versus $22,026 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,775. About 5.9% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska
-National protected area:* North Platte National Wildlife Refuge* Scotts Bluff National Monument-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 36,951 people, 14,887 households, and 10,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 16,119...
, 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...
. It is part of the Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Scottsbluff is a city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, 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....
Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,751 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Scotts Bluff County
Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska
-National protected area:* North Platte National Wildlife Refuge* Scotts Bluff National Monument-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 36,951 people, 14,887 households, and 10,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 16,119...
.
Gering was founded in 1887 at the base of the bluff that is now the center of Scotts Bluff National Monument
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Scotts Bluff National Monument in western Nebraska includes an important 19th century landmark on the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail. The National Monument contains multiple bluffs located on the south side of the North Platte River; it is named for one prominent bluff called Scotts Bluff, which...
. The city of Scottsbluff
Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Scottsbluff is a city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, 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....
was founded across the North Platte River
Platte River
The Platte River is a major river in the state of Nebraska and is about long. Measured to its farthest source via its tributary the North Platte River, it flows for over . The Platte River is a tributary of the Missouri River, which in turn is a tributary of the Mississippi River which flows to...
from the bluff in 1900. Separated only by the river, the two cities have since grown together and now form the 7th largest urban area in Nebraska.
Geography
Gering is located at 41°49′27"N 103°39′54"W (41.824251, -103.665009).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 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), all of it land.
Major Events
2007 marks the 85th annual Oregon Trail Days, celebration which takes place during the second week of July each year. Friends, families, Gering High SchoolGering High School
Gering High School is the only high school in Gering, Nebraska and is located at 1500 U St. It has an enrollment of over 625 students and a student to teacher ratio of 18:1. GHS offers a full range academic courses as well as art, journalism and music programs...
classmates, and the Old Settlers reunion all congregate in Gering for a weekend full of activities.
Oregon Trail Days weekend kicks off with the community barbecue on Thursday night, Annual Kiddie Parade on 10th Street Friday morning, International Food Fair Downtown Gering Friday night, Annual Oregon Trail Days Parade Saturday morning followed by the annual Chili-Cookoff in Oregon Trail Park, and concert at Five Rocks Amphitheater Saturday evening.
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 7,751 people, 3,173 households, and 2,170 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 2,067.8 people per square mile (798.0/km²). There were 3,332 housing units at an average density of 888.9 per square mile (343.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.48% White, 0.13% African American, 1.14% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.56% 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 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.40% of the population.
There were 3,173 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% 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, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,185, and the median income for a family was $42,378. Males had a median income of $32,750 versus $22,026 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 $18,775. About 5.9% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives and residents
- Galen B. JackmanGalen B. JackmanGalen Bruce Jackman is a retired United States Army Major General. His last assignment in the Army was serving in the Pentagon as the Army's Chief of Legislative Liaison. The Office, Chief of Legislative Liaison operates directly under the Office of the Secretary of the Army. Its mission is to...
- U.S. Army Major General (retired), Nancy ReaganNancy ReaganNancy Davis Reagan is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989....
's escort throughout the state funeral proceedingsDeath and state funeral of Ronald ReaganOn June 5, 2004, Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, died after having suffered from Alzheimer's disease for nearly a decade. His seven-day state funeral followed, spanning June 5–11...
of former U.S. President Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, first commanding general of Joint Force Headquarters National Capital RegionJoint Force Headquarters National Capital RegionJoint Force Headquarters National Capital Region is directly responsible for the homeland security and defense of the Washington D.C. area as well as surrounding counties in Virginia and Maryland...
. - Dave RaymondDave RaymondDave Raymond is a professional radio broadcaster for the Houston Astros Major League Baseball team. He graduated from Stanford University and worked for the San Francisco Giants and Baltimore Orioles before being hired by Houston in the winter of 2005.A native of Gering, Nebraska , Raymond is a...
- Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
broadcaster with the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. - James G. RoudebushJames G. RoudebushLieutenant General James Gordon Roudebush, USAF, is the Surgeon General of the United States Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. General Roudebush serves as functional manager of the U.S. Air Force Medical Service...
- U.S. Air Force Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant General (United States)In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
, current Surgeon GeneralSurgeon General of the United States Air ForceThe Surgeon General of the United States Air Force is the senior-most Medical Service officer in the U.S. Air Force. In recent times, this has been a Lieutenant General who serves as head of the United States Air Force Medical Service...
of the United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. - Adrian M. SmithAdrian M. SmithAdrian M. Smith is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Nebraska Legislature.-Early life, education and career:...
- U.S. House of Representatives, Nebraska 3rd District. - Teresa ScanlanTeresa ScanlanTeresa Scanlan, is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Gering, Nebraska who was named Miss Nebraska 2010, subsequently winning Miss America 2011 and becoming the youngest Miss America since Bette Cooper in 1937.-Biography:...
- Miss Nebraska 2010, Miss America 2011Miss America 2011Miss America 2011 was the 90th Miss America pageant. Since the first Miss America pageant was held 90 years ago, in 1921, the Miss America Organization is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2011. It was held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts in Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas...
. - Dean Gorsuch - World Champion Steer Wrestler 2006, 2010.
Points of interest
- Scotts Bluff National MonumentScotts Bluff National MonumentScotts Bluff National Monument in western Nebraska includes an important 19th century landmark on the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail. The National Monument contains multiple bluffs located on the south side of the North Platte River; it is named for one prominent bluff called Scotts Bluff, which...
- 3 mi. W - Northfield Park ArboretumNorthfield Park ArboretumNorthfield Park Arboretum is a public park and arboretum located in Gering, Nebraska.-History:The Northfield Park Arboretum was once a long and narrow canyon, and now is considered a "living exhibition" of trees, shrubs, and other botanical life that grows in the Gering region...
- Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area - 10 mi. S
- North Platte Valley Museum
- Wyobraska National History Museum http://www.wyobraskawildlifemuseum.com
- Scottsbluff, NebraskaScottsbluff, NebraskaScottsbluff is a city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, 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....
- 3 mi. N - Farm and Ranch Museum - directly east of Scotts Bluff National Monument
- Oregon Trail Park
- Union Pacific Railroad 2-8-02-8-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and no trailing wheels...
Steam Locomotive No. 423