Neenah, Wisconsin

History

Neenah was named by Governor James Duane Doty from the Hoocąk word for "water" or "running water". It was the site of a Ho-Chunk village in the late 18th century. It is Nįįňą in the Hoocąk language.

The government initially designated this area in 1835 as an industrial and agricultural mission to the Menominee people of the area. Early settlement by European Americans began a few years later, stimulated in large part by the proximity of the area to the Fox River.

Kimberly-Clark corporation was formed here in 1872. It founded a major paper mill here in 1873, as the region had become a center of lumbering. Profits from lumber stimulated the development of businesses and a variety of professions. Some people relocated to Neenah after the disastrous fire in Oshkosh in 1875.

Geography

Neenah is located at (44.174035, −88.468508).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.74 sqmi, of which, 9.37 sqmi is land and 0.37 sqmi is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, the population was 27,319. The population density was 2,915 PD/sqmi. There were 12,164 housing units at an average density of 1,298 /sqmi. Ethnically, the population was 4.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race. When grouping both Hispanic and non-Hispanic people together by race, the city was 88.0% White, 2.3% Asian, 1.8% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 5.8% from two or more races.

According to the American Community Survey estimates for 2016–2020, the median income for a household in the city was $59,778, and the median income for a family was $77,229. Male full-time workers had a median income of $52,352 versus $40,085 for female workers. The per capita income for the city was $33,420. About 8.6% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over. Of the population age 25 and over, 94.9% were high school graduates or higher and 32.1% had a bachelor's degree or higher.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 25,501 people, 10,694 households, and 6,700 families living in the city. The population density was 2762.8 PD/sqmi. There were 11,313 housing units at an average density of 1225.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 93.7% White, 1.3% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.

There were 10,694 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.3% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 37.1 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 27% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 24,507 people, 9,834 households and 6,578 families living in the city. The population density was 2,971.7 /mi2. There were 10,198 housing units at an average density of 1,236.6 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 96.08% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. 2.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Thirty-five percent of the households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,773, and the median income for a family was $55,329. Males had a median income of $39,140 versus $25,666 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,280. About 3.3% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

In popular culture

There is a song about Neenah called “Neenah, Wisconsin” by Enunci8 and one called “Neenah Menasha” by Sponge. The latter is on Spotify.

Economy

Neenah hosts significant paper and steel industries. Some paper companies include Essity and Kimberly-Clark. Kimberly-Clark was founded in Neenah and maintains significant operations there, though its headquarters moved to Irving, Texas in the 1980s. Manhole covers manufactured at Neenah Foundry can be found throughout the central and southern United States and parts of Europe.

Neenah is the headquarters of Plexus, a developer and manufacturer of electronic products, which also has engineering and manufacturing operations in the city. Also headquartered here are Cobblestone Hotel Group, J. J. Keller & Associates, Miron Construction, Menasha Corporation. Theda Clark Hospital, NM Transfer, and Checker Logistics.

Arts and culture

Founded in 1959, Neenah's Bergstrom-Mahler Museum has a collection of glass art comprising over 5,000 pieces. It concentrates in glass paperweights, Germanic drinking vessels, and contemporary studio glass sculpture.

Transportation

Interstate 41 runs south to north through the center of the city. Bus service is operated by Valley Transit.

Appleton International Airport provides commercial airline service for the city. Brennand Airport supports general aviation service.

Earlier served by the Chicago & Northwestern, the Soo Line and the Milwaukee Road, Neenah today is on the Canadian National Railway's line from Chicago to International Falls.

Notable people

• Jack Ankerson, NFL player
• William Arnemann, politician
• Havilah Babcock, businessman and a founder of Kimberly Clark
• James R. Barnett, politician
• George Bergstrom, designer of The Pentagon
• Robert D. Bohn, U.S. Marine Corps Major General
• John A. Bryan, U.S. diplomat
• Elmer J. Burr, Medal of Honor recipient
• Merritt L. Campbell, politician
• Charles B. Clark, U.S. Representative and a founder of Kimberly-Clark
• Laura Coenen, basketball all-American, 3-time Olympian – team handball
• Kenneth John Conant, architectural historian, professor at Harvard University
• Samuel A. Cook, U.S. Representative
• Philip Daly, municipal councillor in Edmonton, Alberta
• George Danielson, politician
• Julius H. Dennhardt, politician
• William Draheim, politician
• A. D. Eldridge, politician
• Michael Ellis, politician
• James C. Fritzen, politician
• Robert Frederick Froehlke, businessman and government official
• Jim Hall, professional boxer
• Marcus Lee Hansen, historian and Pulitzer Prize winner, born in Neenah
• William C. Hansen, educator and politician
• Howard Hawks, film director, Rio Bravo, Red River, The Big Sleep
• William Hawks, film producer
• Christopher T. Hill, author and theoretical physicist
• Zuhdi Jasser, medical doctor, activist, policy board member
• Dick Jorgensen, NFL referee, Super Bowl XXIV
• Frank Bateman Keefe, U.S. Representative
• Kris Kelderman, MLS player and assistant coach
• John A. Kimberly, a founder of Kimberly-Clark
• Judith Klusman, politician
• Peter Konz, NFL Player
• Wayne Kreklow, NBA player, head coach of the Missouri Tigers women's volleyball team
• Nels Larson, politician and businessman
• Henry Leavens, politician
• Rich Loiselle, MLB player
• Ernst Mahler, chemist and business leader
• David Martin, politician
• Azel W. Patten, businessman and politician
• Charles H. Pfennig, politician
• Roger Ream, educator
• Reid Ribble, politician
• Nathaniel S. Robinson, physician and politician
• Mike Rohrkaste, politician and businessman
• Gerard John Schaefer, serial killer, was born in Neenah.
• John Schneller, NFL player
• Mary Kimberly Shirk, philanthropist born in Neenah
• Richard J. Steffens, politician
• John Stevens, inventor of the roller flour mill
• John Strange, lieutenant governor of Wisconsin
• Kenneth E. Stumpf, Medal of Honor recipient
• Konrad Tuchscherer, professor
• Ryan G. Van Cleave, author and educator
• Edwin Wheeler, politician and jurist
• John Whitlinger, tennis player, born in Neenah
• Tami Whitlinger, WTA player
• Edwin A. Williams, legislator, educator, businessman, mayor

Images

File:NeenahPostOfficeWisconsin.jpg|Neenah Post Office File:NeenahLibraryWisconsin.jpg|Library File:ThedaClarkHospital.jpg|Theda Clark Medical Center File:1010Forest EastForestAvenueHistoricDistrictMenashaWisconsin.jpg|East Forest Avenue Historic District File:CharlesRSmithHouseNeenahWI.jpg|Charles R. Smith House File:HenrySpencerSmithHouse.jpg|Henry Spencer Smith House File:HavilahBabcockHouseNeenahWisconsin.jpg|Havilah Babcock House File:GeorgeOBergstromHouseSideNeenahWisconsin.jpg|George O. Bergstrom House File:EllisJenningsHouseNeenahWisconsin.jpg|Ellis Jennings House File:PerryLindsleyHouseNeenahWI.jpg|Perry Lindsley House File:HenrySherryHouseNeenahWisconsin.jpg|Henry Sherry House File:Neenah WI old post office.jpg|Former Post Office File:EdwardDVinShattuckBealsHouseNeenahWisconsin.jpg|Edward D. & Vina Shattuck Beals House File:FranklynCShattuckHouseNeenahWisconsin.jpg|Franklyn C. Shattuck House

References

References

1. [https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/1873/related/acts/151.pdf Incorporation of the city of Neenah.] Public Act published 14 March 1873. Laws of Wisconsin. Accessed 29 May 2023.
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
3. "Census - Geography Profile: Neenah city, Wisconsin". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963805&dsRecordDetails=R:CS2421 Neenah [origin of place name]]
5. "Physical Spatial Place". (June 1, 2010). ''Hocąk Teaching Materials Volume 1'', p. 454.
6. ""City of Neenah, Wisconsin: Heritage"".
7. "''Dictionary of Wisconsin History'' article".
8. [http://www.neenahpaper.com/AboutNeenah/History Neenah Paper history]
9. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
10. "2020 Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau.
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
12. "2020 Decennial Census: Neenah city, Wisconsin". U.S. Census Bureau.
13. "Selected Economic Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Neenah city, Wisconsin". U.S. Census Bureau.
14. "Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Neenah city, Wisconsin". U.S. Census Bureau.
15. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
16. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
17. (2025). "Inspiring Glass Stories". Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass.
18. Lettenberger, Bob. (January 2023). "''Hot spot: Neenah, Wis.''". [[Kalmbach Media]].
19. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1875,' Biographical Sketch of Nathaniel S. Robinson, pg. 338