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.

Scottsbluff was founded in 1900 across the North Platte River from its namesake, a bluff which is now a National Park called Scotts Bluff National Monument. The smaller town of Gering had been founded south of the river and the two cities have since grown together to form the 7th largest urban area (Scottsbluff Micropolitan Statistical Area) in Nebraska.

The nearby Western Nebraska Regional Airport (BFF) is the third busiest airport in Nebraska in terms of passenger boardings.

Geography and climate
Scottsbluff is located at 41.86722°N, -103.66083°W (41.867140, -103.660709).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 sqmi, of which 5.9 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.67%) is water.

Scottsbluff has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification 'BSk') with wide seasonal and daily temperature differences. Winters are dry and cold, while summers are rather hot. Precipitation is heavily concentrated in the spring and summer months.

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

There were 6,088 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.99.

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

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

Health
31% of Scottsbluff's population is obese, making it the 7th fattest city in America according to Quality Health's 2009 article 10 Fattest Cities in America.

Notable people from Scottsbluff

 * Ashley Bauer - Miss Nebraska 2007
 * Brook Berringer - The former University of Nebraska quarterback was born in Scottsbluff in 1973. (His family moved to Goodland, Kansas, after his father's death.)
 * Terry Carpenter - American politician
 * Kip Gross - retired Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros.
 * Galen B. Jackman - U.S. Army Major General (retired), Nancy Reagan's escort throughout the state funeral proceedings of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, first commanding general of Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region
 * Graig Markel - Professional Musician
 * Vic Marker - 3 time Midwest Golden Glove Boxer, who beat Archie Moore in the Golden Glove Finals in the late 1930's.
 * Jennifer McCafferty - Miss Wyoming 2007
 * Randy Meisner - former bassist with The Eagles
 * Teresa Scanlan - Miss America 2011 (Graduated from Scottsbluff High School)
 * Adrian Smith - U.S. Representative for Nebraska's 3rd congressional district.

Points of interest

 * Scotts Bluff National Monument
 * Grave of Rebecca Winters (Mormon Pioneer)
 * Lake Minatare State Recreation Area
 * Riverside Park and Zoo
 * Western Nebraska Community College
 * Fort Mitchell

Landmark Buildings

 * Old Post Office
 * Webber's Furniture
 * Midwest Theater
 * Lincoln Hotel
 * Great Western Sugar Factory
 * Lake Minatare Lighthouse
 * Bluffs Middle School

Sister cities
Gering, Nebraska; est. 1887