Rice Lake, Wisconsin

Rice Lake is a city in Barron County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,320. The city is located mostly within the Town of Rice Lake.

Rice Lake, Wisconsin Logo

Rice Lake, Wisconsin Logo

Geography

Rice Lake is located at 45°29′54″N 91°44′19″W (45.498408, -91.738844)Template:GR.

Location of Rice Lake, Wisconsin

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.0 km² (9.7 mi²). 22.4 km² (8.6 mi²) of it is land and 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.66% water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 8,320 people, 3,615 households, and 2,107 families residing in the city. The population density was 372.2/km² (963.9/mi²). There were 3,799 housing units at an average density of 170.0/km² (440.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.91% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.

There were 3,615 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,808, and the median income for a family was $41,789. Males had a median income of $30,039 versus $20,774 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,585. About 6.4% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Public Schools

• Rice Lake High School

RLHS is the home of the Warriors. The school colors are blue and gold. The mascot used to be an Indianhead, but after disputes between some schools and the Native American community, the new unofficial mascot is simply a star.

• Rice Lake Middle School
• Hilltop Elementary
• Tainter Elementary
• Lincoln Elementary
• Jefferson Elementary
• Haugen Elementary

Private Schools

• St. Joseph School grades PRE-8

University

• University of Wisconsin-Barron County

Colleges

• Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College - Rice Lake Campus

Economy

Rice Lake serves as a shopping hub for surrounding rural communities of Barron, Cameron, Chetek, Shell Lake, Cumberland, Spooner, Ladysmith and their respective townships. While the population is only just over 8,000, it accommodates a much larger daily population as residents from surrounding smaller towns shop and work there. Aside from commerce, Rice Lake serves as an industrial, educational, and medical hub for the subregion. If recent growth continues it may prove to be an emerging micropolitan area.

Industry

• American Excelsior Company
• Holiday Kitchens
• Johnson Truck Bodies
• Mastercraft Industries
• McCain Foods
• Rice Lake Weighing Systems
• Shadow Plastics

Medical Facilities

• Lakeview Medical Center
• Marshfield Clinic - Indianhead Center
• Mayo Health Systems

External links

• Rice Lake, Wisconsin
• Rice Lake Chamber of Commerce
• local Rice Lake newspaper, the Chronotype
• http://www.ricelaketourism.com
• Rice Lake Public Library
• Rice Lake Area School District
• University of Wisconsin-Barron County Website
• WITC Rice Lake Campus Website
• Rice Lake Weighing Systems Home Page