Chetek, Wisconsin

Chetek, Wisconsin
—  City  —
Location of Chetek within Wisconsin
Coordinates: 45°19′7″N 91°39′16″W
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Barron
Area
• Total	3.1 sq mi (7.9 km2)
• Land	2.4 sq mi (6.1 km2)
• Water	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km2)
Elevation	1,050 ft (320 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	2,180
• Density	925.7/sq mi (357.4/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
Area code(s)	715 & 534
FIPS code	55-14325
GNIS feature ID	1562995

Chetek is a city in Barron County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,180 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Chetek. There are six major lakes in Chetek; Lake Pokegama, Lake Ojaski/Mud Lake, Prairie Lake, Ten Mile Lake, Lake Chetek, and Moose ear Lake. The Fish-O-Rama happens here every year.

History

The original inhabitants of the area were the Ojibwa Indians, who referred to the area as zhede (g), meaning pelican. This was translated into various spellings, such as Sheetak, Shetak, Shetuk, Chetack, until the first post office was opened in 1872. The spelling was then standardized to "Chetek".

In 1872, the Omaha Railroad began service to Chetek, the Knapp-Stout logging camp was established, and the first log schoolhouse was built.

Other important dates:

• 1881 – Medical care became available
• 1882 - The Chetek Alert began publication, a newspaper still serving the area
• 1891 - Became a city
• 1903 – Telephone service was introduced
• 1904 – Fire Department began
• 1960 - Roselawn Elementary opened
• 2010 - School District of Chetek consolidates with Fredrick Weyerhaeuser School District

Geography

Chetek is located at 45°19′7″N 91°39′16″W (45.318656, -91.65447).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (7.9 km²), of which, 2.3 square miles (6.1 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (22.88%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,180 people, 939 households, and 568 families residing in the city. The population density was 925.7 people per square mile (358.2/km²). There were 1,052 housing units at an average density of 446.7 per square mile (172.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.62% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.

There were 939 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,270, and the median income for a family was $40,114. Males had a median income of $28,375 versus $18,906 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,922. About 9.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

• J. B. Van Hollen, Wisconsin Attorney General
• John C. Van Hollen, Wisconsin realtor and politician
• Larry Walker, former Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals right fielder

External links

• Chetek Chamber of Commerce
• Chetek - Weyerhaeuser Area School District