Milton, Wisconsin
Milton, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 Looking north in downtown Milton | |
| Nickname: History in Progress | |
 Location of Milton in Rock County, Wisconsin. | |
| Coordinates: 42°46′40″N 88°57′18″W / 42.77778°N 88.95500°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Rock County |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.54 sq mi (9.17 km2) |
| • Land | 3.53 sq mi (9.14 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 889 ft (271 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 5,546 |
| • Estimate (2016)[4] | 5,580 |
| • Density | 1,571.1/sq mi (606.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 608 |
| FIPS code | 55-52200[5] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1569532[2] |
| Website | www.ci.milton.wi.us |
Milton is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,546 at the 2010 census.
History
The city was formed as a result of the 1967 merger of the villages of Milton and Milton Junction. In November of that year, ballots were cast by 1,093 voters from both villages (Milton: 515 to 47 in favor of the merge; Milton Junction: 322 to 201 in favor of the merge), and the referendum to merge the two was approved by 77%.[6]
Originally named Prairie du Lac, Milton was settled in 1838 by Joseph Goodrich, who built an inn, the Milton House, at the intersection of two trade routes. The Milton House is today one of the oldest poured grout structures in the United States.[7] A noted abolitionist, Goodrich is known to have aided fugitive slaves escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad.
It is believed that Milton is named after poet John Milton, author of "Paradise Lost," after a settler remarked that the town was his "Paradise Regained" after leaving his previous home, which he thought of as a paradise lost.[7]
Geography
Milton is located at 42°46′40″N 88°57′18″W / 42.77778°N 88.95500°W (42.777795, -88.955133).[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.54 square miles (9.17 km2), of which, 3.53 square miles (9.14 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[1]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 508 | — | |
| 1890 | 685 | 34.8% | |
| 1910 | 833 | — | |
| 1920 | 834 | 0.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,128 | 35.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,266 | 12.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,549 | 22.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,671 | 7.9% | |
| 1970 | 3,699 | 121.4% | |
| 1980 | 4,092 | 10.6% | |
| 1990 | 4,434 | 8.4% | |
| 2000 | 5,132 | 15.7% | |
| 2010 | 5,546 | 8.1% | |
| 2016 (est.) | 5,580 | [4] | 0.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] | |||
2010 census
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 5,546 people, 2,231 households, and 1,499 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,571.1 inhabitants per square mile (606.6/km2). There were 2,382 housing units at an average density of 674.8 per square mile (260.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.0% White, 0.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.
There were 2,231 households of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98.
The median age in the city was 35.8 years. 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 12.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
2000 census
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 5,132 people, 2,034 households, and 1,383 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,587.8 people per square mile (613.5/km²). There were 2,129 housing units at an average density of 658.7 per square mile (254.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.07% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,034 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city, the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,201, and the median income for a family was $52,384. Males had a median income of $39,392 versus $22,866 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,058. About 3.3% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Milton is the site of a $70 million ethanol plant built by United Cooperative.[10] A Cargill animal nutrition plant is located in Milton, with a 170-foot (52 m) grain elevator.[11]
Education
Milton Schools include Milton High School, Milton Middle School, Northside Intermediate School, Milton East Elementary, Milton West Elementary, Consolidated Elementary, Harmony School, and Blackhawk Tech which was MECAS (Milton Edgerton Clinton Alternative School).
The former Milton College operated from 1844 to 1982. Milton native, Albert Whitford, a graduate of the college, became a leading astronomer. Another alumnus, Dave Krieg, was an All-Pro quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks.
The city is increasingly tied to Janesville, its larger neighbor to the south, and parts of Janesville are now within the Milton School District as that city expands to the north and east. Students that go to Milton may live in several other districts surrounding Milton such as Janesville and Harmony district.
Notable people
- James C. Bartholf, Wisconsin editor and politician[12]
- Rush Bullis, Wisconsin legislator and farmer, was born in Milton Junction.[13]
- Solomon C. Carr, Wisconsin farmer and politician, lived in Milton Junction.[14]
- Willis Cole, baseball player[15]
- Leo Crowley, head of the Foreign Economic Administration[16]
- John T. Manske, Wisconsin State Assemblyman[17]
- Mark Neumann, U.S. Representative[citation needed]
- Alexander Paul, Wisconsin legislator and politician, was born in Milton Junction.[18]
- Mike Saunders, professional football player[19]
- Merritt Clarke Ring, lawyer and politician[20]
- David Rubitsky, World War II veteran[21]
- Albert Whitford, noted astronomer, for whom the asteroid 2301 Whitford is named[22]
- William Clarke Whitford, educator[23]
References
- ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-24. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Historic Headlines: From the Files of Milton Newspapers Since 1878. Milton, WI: The Milton Courier, 1989. Print.
- ^ a b Doug Welch. Milton. (Images of America) Charleston, S. Car.: Arcadia Publishing, 2016.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Milton plant starts making ethanol". Janesville Gazette, September 6, 2008 Archived September 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Small Town 'Skyscraper'"
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1887,' Biographical Sketch of James C. Bartholf, pg. 407
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1921,' Biographical Sketch of Rush Bullis, pg. 268
- ^ 'Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin 1874,' Biographical Sketch of Solomon Carpenter Carr, pg. 467
- ^ "Willis Cole Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ Hannan, Caryn (2008). Wisconsin Biographical Dictionary. North American Book Dist LLC.
- ^ "Term: Manske, John T. 1952". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1933, Biographical Sketch of Alexander Paul, pg. 220
- ^ "Catching Up With … Mike Saunders". Hawk Central. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Industrial Commission (1885). The State of Wisconsin Blue Book. Industrial Commission.
- ^ "Jewish WW II Veteran Loses Battle for Medal of Honor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "Henry Norris Russell Lectureship". American Astronomical Society. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "Term: Whitford, William Clarke 1828 - 1902". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
External links
- City of Milton
- Sanborn fire insurance maps: 1894 1900 1909 1917
Municipalities and communities of Rock County, Wisconsin, United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Towns | ||
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| Other communities | ||
| Former communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |