Medford, Wisconsin
Medford, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Wisconsin Highway 13 in Medford | |
 Location of Medford in Taylor County, Wisconsin. | |
  Medford, Wisconsin Location within the state of Wisconsin. | |
| Coordinates: 45°8′17″N 90°20′43″W / 45.13806°N 90.34528°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Taylor |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.50 sq mi (11.64 km2) |
| • Land | 4.47 sq mi (11.57 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 4,326 |
| • Estimate (2018)[3] | 4,318 |
| • Density | 966.86/sq mi (373.33/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 54451 |
| Area code | 715 |
| FIPS code | 55-50425 |
| Website | citymedfordwi |
Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,326 at the 2010 census. The city is located mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Medford. It is the county seat of Taylor County.
History
Medford was named after Medford, Massachusetts in 1875, the hometown of a railroad official.[4] The Wisconsin central railroad determined the site of the courthouse. In 1875 an election was held, to choose between two offered sites.[5]
Geography
Medford is located at 45°8′16″N 90°20′42″W / 45.13778°N 90.34500°W (45.137994, −90.345227.[6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.54 square miles (11.76 km2), of which, 4.51 square miles (11.68 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.[7] There are over 4,000 people in the city of Medford.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 504 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,193 | 136.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,758 | 47.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,846 | 5.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,881 | 1.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,918 | 2.0% | |
| 1940 | 2,361 | 23.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,799 | 18.6% | |
| 1960 | 3,260 | 16.5% | |
| 1970 | 3,454 | 6.0% | |
| 1980 | 4,035 | 16.8% | |
| 1990 | 4,283 | 6.1% | |
| 2000 | 4,350 | 1.6% | |
| 2010 | 4,326 | −0.6% | |
| 2018 (est.) | 4,318 | [3] | −0.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
2010 census
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 4,326 people, 1,982 households, and 1,094 families residing in the city. The population density was 959.2 inhabitants per square mile (370.3/km2). There were 2,127 housing units at an average density of 471.6 per square mile (182.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
There were 1,982 households of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.8% were non-families. 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.79.
The median age in the city was 43 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 21.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
2000 census
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 4,350 people. The population density was 1,243.9 people per square mile (479.9/km²). There were 2,034 housing units at an average density of 581.6 per square mile (224.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.69% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,947 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city, the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,278, and the median income for a family was $47,045. Males had a median income of $31,840 versus $23,955 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,962. About 4.3% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Medford has a mayor-council form of government. The mayor is elected for a two-year term. Each of the four city districts is represented by an alderperson, with two elected to two-year terms in alternating years.[10]
Recreation
Medford City Park
Medford City Park, the city's principal community park, was established in 1890 and consists of 100 acres (0.40 km2). An extensive redevelopment program for the park was initiated in 1979. Equipment and facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, with dressing area and wading pool, playground equipment, four park shelters, two restroom facilities, one tennis court, four volleyball courts, one basketball court, two softball fields, a concession stand, nine recreation vehicle camping facilities, a skatepark, the "River Walk" which parallels the Black River for the majority of its way through the city, and picnic and barbecue areas along the walkway. The 19-acre (77,000 m2) Medford millpond has been periodically dredged of sedimentation in an effort to improve fish habitat in the pond.[11]
Grahl Park
Grahl Park consists of 7 acres (0.028 km2) and is designed as an integral part of a residential subdivision and has pedestrian access points to surrounding neighborhoods from the west, north, and east. It has a Little League baseball field, basketball court, restroom facilities, park shelter, and playground equipment.[12]
Pine Line Trail
The southern trailhead of Wisconsin's Pine Line Trail, lies within Medford. The Pine Line Trail is an unpaved, multi-use rail-trail extending just over 26 miles (42 km) to Prentice.[13]
Curling Club
The Medford Curling Club is located on the south side of the city. The Mixed National Championships were most recently held here in 2009.[14] There are four sheets of ice, a changing room, and a warming area inside.
Golf courses
The city has two golf courses, the Tee-Hi Golf Course and the Black River Golf Club.
Transportation
Major highways
 |
WIS 13 travels north to Prentice, Wisconsin and south to Stetsonville, Wisconsin. |
 |
WIS 64 travels east to Merrill, Wisconsin and west to Gilman, Wisconsin. |
Airport
- KMDZ - Taylor County
Medford is served by the Taylor County Airport (KMDZ). It is located approximately three miles southeast of Medford. The airport handles approximately 7,000 operations per year, with roughly 93% general aviation and 7% air taxi. The airport has two asphalt runways; a 6,000 foot runway with approved GPS approaches (Runway 9-27) and a 4,435 foot crosswind runway, also with GPS approaches, (Runway 16-34).[15]
Media
AM radio
- WIGM AM 1490, (Sports Talk)
FM radio
- WKEB FM 99.3, (Adult Hits)
Newspaper
Education
Primary
- Medford Area Elementary School, public school serving grades PK-4
- Medford Area Middle School, public school serving grades 5-8
- Holy Rosary Catholic School, Catholic school serving grades PK-6
- Immanuel Lutheran School, Lutheran school serving grades PK-8
Secondary
- Medford Area Senior High School, public school serving grades 9-12
Post-secondary
- Northcentral Technical College West Campus
Health care
Aspirus Medford Hospital is a health care organization that operates a hospital, clinics, senior care facilities, and a skilled nursing care and rehabilitation facility in the Medford area. Featuring and extensive renovation done within the last 10 years, Memorial Health Center has been promoted to feature an Aspirus Heart and Vascular Institute.
Notable people
- Jeane Dixon, psychic and astrologer
- John Gamper, Wisconsin politician[16]
- Levi Withee Gibson, Wisconsin politician[17]
- Ryan Goessl, international choral conductor and soloist
- Anthony J. Opachen, Wisconsin politician[18]
- John K. Parish, Wisconsin politician and jurist[19]
- Jack Perkins, actor
- Erny Pinckert, football player
- Zachary Rhyner, Air Force Cross recipient
- Steve Russ, Denver Broncos linebacker
- Joe "Pep" Simek, co-founder of Tombstone Pizza and founder of Pep's Pizza[20][21]
- Scott Suder, Wisconsin politician[22]
- Clinton Textor, Wisconsin politician[23]
- Elias L. Urquhart, Wisconsin politician[24]
Images
-
Sign on WIS 13 -
Business District -
Welcome sign
References
- ^ "2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 164.
- ^ Wisconsin Encyclopedia By Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration, Jennifer L. Herman page 402
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Medford, Wisconsin
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 27, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ http://citymedfordwi.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={2A8D8CC5-30F7-4E44-9694-911E7E6519BC}
- ^ "Pine Line / Price-Taylor Rail Trail".
- ^ "Action gets underway in Wisconsin". United States Curling Association. 2009-03-17. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
- ^ "AirNav: Airport Information".
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1931,' Biographical Sketch of John Gamper, pg. 242
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1919,' Biographical Sketch of L. W. Gibson, pg. 504
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1933,' Biographical Sketch of Anthony J. Opachen, pg. 258
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1885,' Biographical Sketch of John K. Parish, pg. 426
- ^ "Tombstone Pizza co-founder Joseph Simek dies". Green Bay Press Gazette. February 21, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
- ^ Uebelherr, Jay (February 20, 2013). "Joseph Simek was a founder of Tombstone Pizza". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 2011–2012,' Biographical Sketch of Scott Suder, pg. 65
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1891,' Biographical Sketch of Clinton Textor, pg. 594
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1913,' Biographical Sketch of Elias L. Urquhart, pg. 685
External links
- City of Medford
- Medford Chamber of Commerce
- Medford, Wis., county seat of Taylor County before the great fire May 28, 1885 Library of Congress, map collection
- Sanborn fire insurance maps: 1894 1901 1913
Municipalities and communities of Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States | ||
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| Villages | ||
| Towns | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
