Oconto, Wisconsin
| Oconto | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
 Oconto
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| Coordinates: 44°53′16″N 87°52′14″W / 44.88778°N 87.87056°WCoordinates: 44°53′16″N 87°52′14″W / 44.88778°N 87.87056°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Oconto |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Tom Fulton |
| • Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer | Linda M. Belongia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.4 sq mi (19.1 km2) |
| • Land | 6.9 sq mi (17.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km2) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 4,708 |
| • Density | 638.4/sq mi (246.5/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 54153 |
| Area code(s) | 920 |
| FIPS code | |
| GNIS feature ID | |
| Website | Official website |
Oconto is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,708 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located partially within the town of Oconto.
Contents |
[edit] History
Oconto is home to Copper Culture State Park, which has remains dated to around 5000-6000 B.C. It is a burial ground of the Copper Culture Indians. This burial ground is considered to be the oldest cemetery in Wisconsin and one of the oldest in the nation.
The French Jesuit, Roman Catholic priest, and missionary, Father Claude-Jean Allouez said the first Mass in Oconto on 3 December 1669.[1]
The city of Oconto was incorporated in 1869.[2]
The first church in the world built for the Christian Science Church was erected in 1886 in Oconto and still stands at the corner of Main Street and Chicago Street. The land was donated by Henry (1837–1904) and Victoria Sargent (1848–1930).[3][4][5][6]
[edit] Geography
Oconto is located at 44°53′15″N 87°52′13″W / 44.8875°N 87.87028°W (44.887714, -87.870423).[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19.1 km²), of which 6.9 square miles (17.8 km²) is land and 0.5 square mile (1.2 km²) (6.39%) is water.
Oconto is located at the mouth of the Oconto River, which feeds into Lake Michigan.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 4,646 |
|
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| 1910 | 5,629 | 21.2% | |
| 1920 | 4,920 | −12.6% | |
| 1930 | 5,030 | 2.2% | |
| 1940 | 5,362 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 5,055 | −5.7% | |
| 1960 | 4,805 | −4.9% | |
| 1970 | 4,667 | −2.9% | |
| 1980 | 4,505 | −3.5% | |
| 1990 | 4,474 | −0.7% | |
| 2000 | 4,708 | 5.2% | |
| Est. 2010 | 4,712 | 0.1% | |
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 4,708 people, 1,870 households, and 1,221 families residing in the city. The population density was 683.7 people per square mile (263.8/km²). There were 2,040 housing units at an average density of 296.2 per square mile (114.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.79% White, 0.02% Black or African American, 0.85% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,870 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,589, and the median income for a family was $43,676. Males had a median income of $27,455 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,717. About 5.2% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
The table at right with historical census data[9] indicates that the population has remained relatively flat throughout the 20th century.
[edit] Education
The following schools are available in Oconto:[10]
- Oconto Elementary School
- Oconto Literacy Charter School
- Oconto Middle School
- Oconto High School
[edit] Transportation
US 41 Northbound travels to Marinette. South it continues toward Green Bay.
WIS 22 connects with Oconto Falls and Gillett southbound.
[edit] Notable businesses
- Cruisers yachts, a builder of luxury pleasure yachts
[edit] Notable residents
- Alvin O'Konski, U.S. Representative
- Bob McDougal, NFL player
- David Guy Classon, U.S. Representative
- Deral Teteak, football player
- Edward Scofield, Governor of Wisconsin
- Warren R. Smith, Wisconsin State Treasurer
- Fay Holderness, actress
- Jab Murray, NFL player
- Landy Scott, champion race car driver
- Pahl Davis, NFL player
- Red Mack, NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and the Green Bay Packers
- Reuben La Fave, Wisconsin State Senator
[edit] References
- ^ Hall, George E. 2009. A History of Oconto. 2nd ed., edited by Duane Ebert and Pamela Ann Loberger. Oconto, WI: Oconto County Historical Society, p. 33.
- ^ City-Data.com: Oconto, Wisconsin. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
- ^ Nichols, Diane et al. No date. West Main Street Historic District Oconto, Wisconsin (brochure). Oconto, WI: Oconto County Historical Society, p. 6.
- ^ Hall, George E. 2009. A History of Oconto. 2nd ed., edited by Duane Ebert and Pamela Ann Loberger. Oconto, WI: Oconto County Historical Society, p. 130.
- ^ Chiat, Marilyn Joyce Segal. 1997. America's Religious Architecture: Sacred Places for Every Community. New York: John Wiley, p. 133.
- ^ Cather, Willa & Georgine Milmine. 1909. The Life of Mary Baker G. Eddy and the History of Christian Science. New York: Doubleday, p. 364.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ City of Oconto Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, Population Trends Table 2A and WDOA Population Projections Table 2B.
- ^ City-Data.com: Schools in Oconto, Wisconsin. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
[edit] External links
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