Monroe County, Wisconsin

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 908 sqmi, of which 901 sqmi is land and 7.4 sqmi (0.8%) is water.

United States Army posts

• Fort McCoy, Wisconsin

Adjacent counties

• Jackson Countynorth
• Juneau Countyeast
• Vernon Countysouth
• La Crosse Countywest

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 46,274 and a median age of 39.6 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.6 males age 18 and over.

The population density was 51.4 /mi2. There were 19,769 housing units at an average density of 21.9 /mi2.

The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 1.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.1% from some other race, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.5% of the population.

43.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 56.8% lived in rural areas.

There were 18,197 households in the county, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.3% were married-couple households, 20.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 19,769 housing units, of which 8.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.5% were owner-occupied and 30.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.9%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 40,899 people, 15,399 households, and 10,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 /mi2. There were 16,672 housing units at an average density of 18 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.52% White, 0.46% Black or African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.5% were of German, 13.4% Norwegian, 7.6% Irish, 6.3% American and 5.0% English ancestry. 92.9% spoke English, 3.1% German and 2.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 15,399 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.60 males.

In 2017, there were 534 births, giving a general fertility rate of 67.9 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 21st highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Of these, 43 of the births occurred at home. Additionally, there were 21 reported induced abortions performed on women of Monroe County residence in 2017.

In 2010, the reported adherence figures for the largest religious groups in Monroe County were Catholic at 9,250 adherents, Wisconsin Synod Lutheran at 3,102 adherents, ELCA Lutheran at 2,297 adherents, Amish at 1,627 adherents, LCMC Lutheran at 1,270 adherents, and United Methodist at 1,155 adherents.

Transportation

Major highways

• [[Image:I-90.svg|20px]] Interstate 90
• [[Image:I-94.svg|20px]] Interstate 94
• [[Image:US 12.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 12
• [[Image:WIS 16.svg|20px]] Highway 16 (Wisconsin)
• [[Image:WIS 21.svg|20px]] Highway 21 (Wisconsin)
• [[Image:WIS 27.svg|20px]] Highway 27 (Wisconsin)
• [[Image:WIS 33.svg|20px]] Highway 33 (Wisconsin)
• [[Image:WIS 71.svg|20px]] Highway 71 (Wisconsin)
• [[Image:WIS 131.svg|20px]] Highway 131 (Wisconsin)
• [[Image:WIS 162.svg|20px]] Highway 162 (Wisconsin)
• [[Image:WIS 173.svg|20px]] Highway 173 (Wisconsin)

Railroads

• Canadian Pacific
• Union Pacific
• Amtrak
• Tomah station

Buses

• Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit

Airports

• Sparta/Fort McCoy Airport
• Bloyer Field Airport (Y72)

Communities

Cities

• Sparta (county seat)
• Tomah

Villages

• Cashton
• Kendall
• Melvina
• Norwalk
• Oakdale
• Warrens
• Wilton
• Wyeville

Towns

• Adrian
• Angelo
• Byron
• Clifton
• Glendale
• Grant
• Greenfield
• Jefferson
• La Grange
• Lafayette
• Leon
• Lincoln
• Little Falls
• New Lyme
• Oakdale
• Portland
• Ridgeville
• Scott
• Sheldon
• Sparta
• Tomah
• Wellington
• Wells
• Wilton

Census-designated places

• Cataract
• Tunnel City

Unincorporated communities

• Angelo
• Clifton
• Farmers Valley
• Four Corners
• Glendale
• Jacksonville
• Kirby
• Leon
• Norway Ridge
• Oil City
• Portland
• Raymore
• Ridgeville
• St. Mary's
• Scotts Junction
• Shennington
• Spring Bank Park
• Valley Junction

Economy

Largest employers

1. Tomah VA Medical Center
2. Dept. of Defense
3. Walmart distribution center
4. Toro
5. County of Monroe
6. Northern Engraving
7. Century Foods
8. Cardinal Glass Industries
9. Wal-Mart stores
10. Tomah Memorial Hospital

Politics

For most of its existence, Monroe County has favored the Republican Party. Since 1936, only four Democrats have won the county in presidential races.

Education

School districts include:

• Bangor School District
• Black River Falls School District
• Cashton School District
• Hillsboro School District
• Melrose-Mindoro School District
• New Lisbon School District
• Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District
• Royall School District
• Sparta Area School District
• Tomah Area School District
• Westby Area School District

References

References

1. "2020 Decennial Census: Monroe County, Wisconsin". U.S. Census Bureau.
2. "Monroe County, Wisconsin".
3. 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".
4. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
6. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
9. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
10. (April 2, 2001). "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
12. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
13. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
14. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
15. "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables".
16. (Dec 2018). "Reported Induced Abortions in Wisconsin". Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
17. (2010). "County Membership Report: Monroe County (Wisconsin): Religious Traditions".
18. "Monroe County".
19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
20. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Monroe County, WI". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].