Plover, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Plover is a village in Portage County
, Wisconsin
, United States
and is a suburb of Stevens Point. It is included in the Stevens Point Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 10,520 at the 2000 census.
in 1844. The election for the county seat only noted the general location of an unsettled area around present-day Plover. Until the area was settled, county business was actually conducted in the community of Rushville. The Plover area was platted in 1845, and received a post office at the same time under the name of "Plover Portage." The name of the post office was changed to "Plover" in 1850.
In 1857, State Senator Luther Hanchett
of Plover introduced a bill to incorporate the Village of Clayton in the community; he later amended the bill to make the name the Village of Algernon. That bill passed the Wisconsin Legislature, incorporating the Village of Algernon on March 6, 1857. (Algernon was probably named for Algernon B. Crosby, a postmaster in Portage County.) On May 4, 1858, the name of the village was again changed, this time to the Village of Stanton. And in 1864, the name of the village was finally changed to Plover.
In 1868, the county seat was moved to Stevens Point
, following a vicious battle in newspapers and the state legislature. The Village of Plover was dissolved. Government of the area fell to the Town of Plover
.
Plover was again incorporated as a village on March 8, 1912 by court order, after area residents appoved in an election. This latest incorporation would not be long lived, as Plover was again dissolved on October 7, 1931 after another election. An attempt at re-incorporation failed in 1965.
Plover re-incorporated, for the third time, on September 28, 1971. The vote for incorporation was narrow: 311 for and 289 against. The population of the village at that time was 2618. It incorporated about 6.75 square miles (17.5 km²) of territory, and increased to about 7.25 square miles (18.8 km²) in 1981, after annexation. Annexations continued nearly every year until the present.
, the village has a total area of 8.9 square miles (23.0 km²), of which, 8.5 square miles (22.0 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it (4.28%) is water.
of 2000, there were 10,520 people, 3,985 households, and 2,845 families residing in the village. The population density
was 1,238.2 people per square mile (477.9/km²). There were 4,133 housing units at an average density of 486.5 per square mile (187.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.82% White, 0.43% Black or African American
, 0.42% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races
, and 0.94% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,985 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $51,238, and the median income for a family was $60,146. Males had a median income of $40,206 versus $26,521 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $23,085. About 4.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
Portage County, Wisconsin
Portage County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 67,182. Its county seat is Stevens Point. The United States Census Bureau's Stevens Point Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Portage County.-Geography:...
, 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...
and is a suburb of Stevens Point. It is included in the Stevens Point Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 10,520 at the 2000 census.
History
The area which later became Plover was selected as the county seat of PortagePortage County, Wisconsin
Portage County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 67,182. Its county seat is Stevens Point. The United States Census Bureau's Stevens Point Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Portage County.-Geography:...
in 1844. The election for the county seat only noted the general location of an unsettled area around present-day Plover. Until the area was settled, county business was actually conducted in the community of Rushville. The Plover area was platted in 1845, and received a post office at the same time under the name of "Plover Portage." The name of the post office was changed to "Plover" in 1850.
In 1857, State Senator Luther Hanchett
Luther Hanchett
Luther Hanchett was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.Born in Middlebury Ohio, Hanchett attended the common schools.He studied law.He was admitted to the bar in 1846 and commenced practice in Fremont, Ohio....
of Plover introduced a bill to incorporate the Village of Clayton in the community; he later amended the bill to make the name the Village of Algernon. That bill passed the Wisconsin Legislature, incorporating the Village of Algernon on March 6, 1857. (Algernon was probably named for Algernon B. Crosby, a postmaster in Portage County.) On May 4, 1858, the name of the village was again changed, this time to the Village of Stanton. And in 1864, the name of the village was finally changed to Plover.
In 1868, the county seat was moved to Stevens Point
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Stevens Point is the county seat of Portage County, Wisconsin, United States. Located in the central part of the state, it is the largest city in the county, with a population of 24,551 at the 2000 census...
, following a vicious battle in newspapers and the state legislature. The Village of Plover was dissolved. Government of the area fell to the Town of Plover
Plover (town), Wisconsin
Plover is a town in Portage County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,415 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Kellner is located partially in the town.-Geography:...
.
Plover was again incorporated as a village on March 8, 1912 by court order, after area residents appoved in an election. This latest incorporation would not be long lived, as Plover was again dissolved on October 7, 1931 after another election. An attempt at re-incorporation failed in 1965.
Plover re-incorporated, for the third time, on September 28, 1971. The vote for incorporation was narrow: 311 for and 289 against. The population of the village at that time was 2618. It incorporated about 6.75 square miles (17.5 km²) of territory, and increased to about 7.25 square miles (18.8 km²) in 1981, after annexation. Annexations continued nearly every year until the present.
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 village has a total area of 8.9 square miles (23.0 km²), of which, 8.5 square miles (22.0 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it (4.28%) 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 10,520 people, 3,985 households, and 2,845 families residing in the village. 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 1,238.2 people per square mile (477.9/km²). There were 4,133 housing units at an average density of 486.5 per square mile (187.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.82% White, 0.43% Black or African American
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...
, 0.42% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.41% 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 0.94% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race.
There were 3,985 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% 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, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $51,238, and the median income for a family was $60,146. Males had a median income of $40,206 versus $26,521 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 village was $23,085. About 4.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Dennis HallDennis HallDennis Hall is a Greco-Roman wrestler from Hartford, Wisconsin, United States. Hall was a 10-time US National Champion, a World Champion, and 3-time USA Olympian. He won a Silver Medal at the 1996 Atlanta....
, world champion wrestler, OlympicOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
medalist, Pan American GamesPan American GamesThe Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
gold medalist - Alexander S. McDillAlexander S. McDillAlexander Stuart McDill was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.Born near Meadville, Pennsylvania, McDill attended Allegheny College....
, U.S. Representative - Joe PavelskiJoe PavelskiJoseph Pavelski is an American professional ice hockey player now playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He scored a goal in his first NHL game, making him the 11th Sharks player in the history of the team to do so...
, NHL player, San Jose SharksSan Jose SharksThe San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... - Clayton K. SlackClayton K. SlackClayton Kirk Slack was a soldier in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the World War I.-Biography:Slack was born in Plover, Wisconsin on February 23, 1896....
, Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... - Walt WilmotWalt WilmotWalter Robert Wilmot was an outfielder in Major League Baseball who played over parts of 10 seasons with the Washington Nationals , Chicago Colts and New York Giants . Listed at 5 ft 9 in, 165 lb., Wilmot was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed...
, MLB player