Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Sturgeon Bay is a city in and the county seat
of Door County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 9,437 at the 2000 census
. It is located at the natural end of Sturgeon Bay
, although the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal
was built across the remainder of the Door Peninsula
.
, the city has a total area of 11.3 square miles (29.3 km²), of which, 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²) of it is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) of it (14.94%) is water.
of 2000, there were 9,437 people, 4,048 households, and 2,432 families residing in the city. The population density
was 981.4 people per square mile (378.8/km²). There were 4,447 housing units at an average density of 462.5 per square mile (178.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.22% White, 0.33% Black or African American
, 0.78% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races
, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.28% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 4,048 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.81% were married couples
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,935, and the median income for a family was $45,084. Males had a median income of $31,879 versus $21,414 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,899. About 5.5% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
. The city is accessible by road via Wisconsin Highway 42 and Wisconsin Highway 57, and Wisconsin Business Route 42/57 runs through downtown Sturgeon Bay.
.
The city of Sturgeon Bay also has two elementary schools: Sawyer, and Sunrise. The middle school, T.J. Walker Middle School, is connected to the high school. An elementary school is operated by St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS). Three former schools, Saint Peter and Paul, Corpus Christi, and Saint Joseph, have combined to form Saint John Bosco.
, Jane Wiedlin
of the Go-Gos and Pat McDonald of Timbuk3.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Door County
Door County, Wisconsin
Door County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 27,961. Its county seat is Sturgeon Bay. Door County is a popular vacation and tourist destination, especially for residents of Wisconsin and Illinois....
, 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...
. The population was 9,437 at 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...
. It is located at the natural end of Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay is an arm of Green Bay extending southeastward approximately 10 miles into the Door Peninsula at the city of Sturgeon Bay, located approximately halfway up the Door Peninsula. The bay is connected to Lake Michigan by the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. Three bridges cross the bay, including...
, although the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal
The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal is a shipping canal connecting Sturgeon Bay on Green Bay with Lake Michigan, across the Door Peninsula, at the city of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin....
was built across the remainder of the Door Peninsula
Door Peninsula
The Door Peninsula is a peninsula in eastern Wisconsin, separating the southern part of the Green Bay from Lake Michigan. The peninsula begins in northern Brown and Kewaunee counties and proceeds northeast to include all of Door County. It is the western portion of the Niagara Escarpment. Well...
.
Geography
Sturgeon Bay is located at 44°49′56"N 87°22′19"W (44.813376, -87.372076).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 city has a total area of 11.3 square miles (29.3 km²), of which, 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²) of it is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) of it (14.94%) is water.
Highways
WIS 42 Northbound travels to Egg HarborEgg Harbor, WisconsinEgg Harbor is a village in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 250 at the 2000 census. The village was incorporated in 1964, and is adjacent to the Town of Egg Harbor.-Geography:Egg Harbor is located at ....
, Fish CreekFish Creek, WisconsinFish Creek is an unincorporated community located in Door County, Wisconsin, United States, within the town of Gibraltar and is located on Highway 42 along Green Bay.-History:...
and Gills RockGills Rock, WisconsinGills Rock is an unincorporated community located on Highway 42 at the northern tip of the Door Peninsula in Door County, Wisconsin, United States...
. South it travels to AlgomaAlgoma, WisconsinAlgoma is a city in Kewaunee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,357 at the 2000 census. Algoma is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, KewauneeKewaunee, WisconsinKewaunee is a city in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,806 at the 2000 census. Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Michigan, the city is the county seat of Kewaunee County....
, Two RiversTwo Rivers, WisconsinTwo Rivers is a city in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 11,712 at the 2010 census. It is the birthplace of the ice cream sundae...
,and ManitowocManitowoc, WisconsinManitowoc is a city in and the county seat of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States. The city is located on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manitowoc River. According to the 2000 census, Manitowoc had a population of 34,053, with over 50,000 residents in the surrounding communities...
, where it connects to I-43.
WIS 57 southbound connects to Green BayGreen Bay, WisconsinGreen 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,...
and connects with Baileys HarborBaileys Harbor, WisconsinBaileys Harbor is a town in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,003 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Peninsula Center is located in the town...
and JacksonportJacksonport, WisconsinJacksonport is a town in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 738 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Jacksonport and West Jacksonport are located in the town.-Geography:...
northbound.
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 9,437 people, 4,048 households, and 2,432 families residing in the city. 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 981.4 people per square mile (378.8/km²). There were 4,447 housing units at an average density of 462.5 per square mile (178.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.22% White, 0.33% 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...
, 0.78% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.46% 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 0.82% from two or more races. 1.28% 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 4,048 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.81% 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, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,935, and the median income for a family was $45,084. Males had a median income of $31,879 versus $21,414 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 city was $18,899. About 5.5% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Municipal services
- Police — 12 patrol officers, 4 Sergeants, and nine cars with a supporting staff of five.
- Fire — 13 full-time, 18 part-time firefighters and 11 vehicles operating out of two stations.
Transportation
Sturgeon Bay is served by Door County Cherryland AirportDoor County Cherryland Airport
Door County Cherryland Airport is a public airport located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 2 miles west of the city. It has two runways and is used for corporate and general aviation.- Facilities :...
. The city is accessible by road via Wisconsin Highway 42 and Wisconsin Highway 57, and Wisconsin Business Route 42/57 runs through downtown Sturgeon Bay.
Education
The community is served by Sturgeon Bay High School and has a satellite campus of Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeNortheast Wisconsin Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, also called NWTC, is one of the 16 technical and community colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System...
.
The city of Sturgeon Bay also has two elementary schools: Sawyer, and Sunrise. The middle school, T.J. Walker Middle School, is connected to the high school. An elementary school is operated by St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS). Three former schools, Saint Peter and Paul, Corpus Christi, and Saint Joseph, have combined to form Saint John Bosco.
Entertainment
The community has one local movie theater, Sturgeon Bay Cinema 6, and one theater, the Third Avenue Playhouse, or T.A.P. Every year, the town hosts "Steel Bridge Songfest," where nationally known musicians perform. Past performers include Jackson BrowneJackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
, Jane Wiedlin
Jane Wiedlin
Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and actress. She is best known as the rhythm guitarist of the all-female New Wave band The Go-Go's.-Early life:...
of the Go-Gos and Pat McDonald of Timbuk3.
Notable residents
- William J. BalzaWilliam J. BalzaWilliam J. Balza served in the United States Army during World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Battle of Buna-Gona.His award citation reads:...
, Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
recipient - Robert C. BassettRobert C. BassettRobert C. Bassett was a newspaper publisher, lawyer, and was an advisor to U.S. Presidents Harry S. Truman and Richard Nixon.-Biography:Bassett was born on March 2, 1911 to Clark and Lillian Bassett in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin...
, U.S. Presidential advisor - Eddie CochemsEddie CochemsEdward Bulwer "Eddie" Cochems was an American football player and coach. He played football for the University of Wisconsin from 1898 to 1901 and was the head football coach at North Dakota State , Clemson , Saint Louis University , and Maine . During his three years at St...
(1877-1953), "Father of the Forward PassForward passIn several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
" - Jim Flanigan, Sr.Jim Flanigan, Sr.James Michael "Jim" Flanigan, Sr. is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League.-College career:...
, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
and New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
linebacker (NFL) - Frank N. GraassFrank N. Graass-Career:Graass was a member of the Assembly on three occasions. First, from 1917 to 1919, second, from 1935 to 1942 and third, from 1951 to 1960. Additionally, he was a legislative and financial secretary for Governor Walter Samuel Goodland. He was a Republican....
, Wisconsin State Assemblyman - Chris GreisenChris GreisenChristopher J. Greisen is an American football quarterback for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northwest Missouri State...
, Milwaukee IronMilwaukee IronThe Milwaukee Mustangs are a professional arena football team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are currently members of the Arena Football League , which they joined in 2010 during the league's restructuring...
quarterback (AFL) - Nick GreisenNick GreisenNick A. Greisen is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin....
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
linebacker (NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
) - Al Johnson, Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
) - Al C. KalmbachAl C. KalmbachAl C. Kalmbach was the founder of Kalmbach Publishing, a publisher of magazines and books geared towards enthusiasts of several different hobbies....
, founder of Kalmbach Publishing - Doug LarsonDoug LarsonDoug Larson wrote a daily column for the Green Bay Press-Gazette and a weekly column for the Door County Advocate — both Wisconsin-based newspapers. The column was originally syndicated through United Media under the title "Senator Soaper Says"; Larson took over authorship in 1980...
, newspaper colunist and writer - Pat MacDonald, solo troubadour of stomp musician & former member of Timbuk 3Timbuk 3Timbuk3 was an American post-punk band which released six original studio albums between 1986 and 1995 that were produced by Derrick Vedrani. They are most well known for their Top 20 single "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades"...
- Edward S. MinorEdward S. MinorEdward Sloman Minor was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.Born at Point Peninsula, New York, Minor moved to Wisconsin in 1845 with his parents, who settled in Greenfield, Milwaukee County, and subsequently in the city of Milwaukee.He attended the common schools.He went with his parents to a...
, U.S. Representative - Conrad P. OlsonConrad P. OlsonConrad Patrick Olson was an American politician and judge in Oregon. He was the 48th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Additionally, the Wisconsin native served in both chambers of the Oregon Legislature during the early 1900s.-Early life:Conrad Olson was born in Clay Banks, Wisconsin...
, Oregon Supreme CourtOregon Supreme CourtThe Oregon Supreme Court is the highest state court in the U.S. state of Oregon. The only court that may reverse or modify a decision of the Oregon Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the United States. The OSC holds court at the Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon, near the capitol...
justice - Casey RabachCasey RabachCasey Edward Rabach is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
center (NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
) - Hallie H. RoweHallie H. Rowe-Biography:Rowe was born on July 3, 1896 in Weyauwega, Wisconsin. He later moved to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. During World War I, he served in the United States Army.-Political career:...
, Wisconsin State Assemblyman - Timothy S. SullivanTimothy S. SullivanTimothy S. Sullivan is a rear admiral in the United States Coast Guard who presently serves as the Deputy Commander, Pacific Area Coast Guard Defense Forces West. He remains permanently assigned as Commander of the Pacific...
, U.S. Coast Guard admiral - Randy WrightRandy WrightRandall Steven Wright is a former professional American football quarterback who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1984 to 1988.-High school:...
, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
quarterback (NFL)