Lakewood, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Lakewood is a town in Oconto County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. As of the 2000 census
, the town population was 875. The census-designated place of Lakewood
is located in the town.
, the town has a total area of 72.4 square miles (187.5 km²), of which, 70.8 square miles (183.4 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (2.20%) is water.
of 2000, there were 875 people, 399 households, and 282 families residing in the town. The population density
was 12.4 people per square mile (4.8/km²). There were 1,183 housing units at an average density of 16.7 per square mile (6.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.57% White, 1.71% Native American, 0.34% from other races
, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population.
There were 399 households out of which 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples
living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.60.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.7% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 28.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 107.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,869, and the median income for a family was $37,500. Males had a median income of $31,719 versus $17,404 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,281. Below the poverty line were 7.2% of people, 6.9% of families, 1.4% of those under 18 and 14.8% of those over 64.
, which surrounds the area, is a working forest that has been clear-cut in the past and cut-over many times. As recently as the 1950s the Lakewood area was known for its virgin timber and pristine nature, but aggressive logging and clear-cutting significantly changed the face of the area. The Holt and Balcolm logging company set aside one tract of land in which they did not cut the original growth. This area, called the "Cathedral of Pines", was preserved as a result of the efforts of Lucy Rumsey Holt who influenced her husband, logger W.A. Holt, to leave it as virgin timber. Mrs. Holt used this area to teach Bible studies to her children and did not want the area disturbed. This 200 to 400 year old white pine and balsam old growth stand is also home to a Great blue heron rookery.
McCaslin Brook (also spelled McCauslin) was used as a means of transporting large quantities of logs to saw-mills or for transportation to major cities where the timber would be sold. The oldest logging camp in the United States can be found on what is now the McCaslin Brook Golf Course.
Today the Lakewood area serves as a popular get-away for visitors from the Green Bay
, Appleton
, and Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
areas. The close proximity to these small population centers and the relative isolation from major cities such as Chicago
and Minneapolis continue to make the Lakewood area popular. The extreme distance to major air-hubs and other transportation centers make the area virtually off-limits to those from other parts of the country and help to keep the number of tourists and visitors to a minimum, further adding to the area's appeal for Wisconsinites.
, has been in operation since 1964. Here campers learn sailing, arts and crafts, an engage in other outdoor activities. It is a popular summer getaway located on the lake for which the town is named.
Oconto County, Wisconsin
Oconto County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 35,634. Its county seat is Oconto.Oconto County is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was established in 1851.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the town population was 875. The census-designated place of Lakewood
Lakewood (CDP), Wisconsin
Lakewood is an unincorporated census-designated place located in the town of Lakewood, Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. Lakewood is located on Wisconsin Highway 32 north-northwest of Suring. Lakewood has a post office with ZIP code 54138. As of the 2010 census, its population was 323....
is located in the town.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 72.4 square miles (187.5 km²), of which, 70.8 square miles (183.4 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (2.20%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 875 people, 399 households, and 282 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 12.4 people per square mile (4.8/km²). There were 1,183 housing units at an average density of 16.7 per square mile (6.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.57% White, 1.71% Native American, 0.34% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population.
There were 399 households out of which 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.60.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.7% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 28.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 107.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,869, and the median income for a family was $37,500. Males had a median income of $31,719 versus $17,404 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $18,281. Below the poverty line were 7.2% of people, 6.9% of families, 1.4% of those under 18 and 14.8% of those over 64.
Economy
For many years the primary industry of Lakewood was timber, but in recent decades this has changed to the service industry. Most of the local revenue is generated by the tourist trade. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National ForestChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a 1,530,647 acre U.S. National Forest in northern Wisconsin in the United States. Much of the old growth forest in this region was destroyed by logging in the early part of the 20th century...
, which surrounds the area, is a working forest that has been clear-cut in the past and cut-over many times. As recently as the 1950s the Lakewood area was known for its virgin timber and pristine nature, but aggressive logging and clear-cutting significantly changed the face of the area. The Holt and Balcolm logging company set aside one tract of land in which they did not cut the original growth. This area, called the "Cathedral of Pines", was preserved as a result of the efforts of Lucy Rumsey Holt who influenced her husband, logger W.A. Holt, to leave it as virgin timber. Mrs. Holt used this area to teach Bible studies to her children and did not want the area disturbed. This 200 to 400 year old white pine and balsam old growth stand is also home to a Great blue heron rookery.
McCaslin Brook (also spelled McCauslin) was used as a means of transporting large quantities of logs to saw-mills or for transportation to major cities where the timber would be sold. The oldest logging camp in the United States can be found on what is now the McCaslin Brook Golf Course.
Today the Lakewood area serves as a popular get-away for visitors from the Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
, Appleton
Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton is a city in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is situated on the Fox River, 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and 100 miles north of Milwaukee. Appleton is the county seat of Outagamie County. The population was 78,086 at the 2010 census...
, and Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac is a city in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. The name is French for bottom of the lake, for it is located at the bottom of Lake Winnebago. The population was 42,203 at the 2000 census...
areas. The close proximity to these small population centers and the relative isolation from major cities such as Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Minneapolis continue to make the Lakewood area popular. The extreme distance to major air-hubs and other transportation centers make the area virtually off-limits to those from other parts of the country and help to keep the number of tourists and visitors to a minimum, further adding to the area's appeal for Wisconsinites.
YMCA Camp
The YMCA camp Nan A Bo Sho, an overnight camp in Lakewood owned by the YMCA Fox Cities of AppletonAppleton, Wisconsin
Appleton is a city in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is situated on the Fox River, 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and 100 miles north of Milwaukee. Appleton is the county seat of Outagamie County. The population was 78,086 at the 2010 census...
, has been in operation since 1964. Here campers learn sailing, arts and crafts, an engage in other outdoor activities. It is a popular summer getaway located on the lake for which the town is named.