Trempealeau County, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Trempealeau County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. As of 2009, the population estimate was 27,754. Its county seat
is Whitehall
.
burned them periodically to encourage the growth of berries. They did little cultivation and had been almost completely removed from the area by 1837.
French fur traders were the first Europeans to enter this land. At the mouth of the Trempealeau River
, which flows from northeast to southwest across the county on its way to the Mississippi River
, they found a bluff surrounded by water and called it "La Montagne qui trempe à l’eau," which means "mountain with its foot in the water." The name was later shortened.
, the county has a total area of 742 square miles (1,922 km²), of which 734 square miles (1,901 km²) is land and 8 square miles (20 km²) (1.06%) is water. It is part of the Driftless Zone.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 27,010 people, 10,747 households, and 7,243 families residing in the county. The population density
was 37 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 11,482 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.81% White
, 0.13% Black
or African American
, 0.17% Native American
, 0.13% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.29% from other races
, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 39.0% were of Norwegian, 24.6% German and 17.0% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 94.9% spoke English
, 1.6% Norwegian
and 1.6% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 10,747 households out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples
living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. As of 2009, the population estimate was 27,754. Its county seat
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....
is Whitehall
Whitehall, Wisconsin
Whitehall is a city in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Trempealeau River. The population was 1,651 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Trempealeau County....
.
History
Patches of woodland are all that remain of the brush and light forest that once covered the county. In ancient times, the woodlands contained a great deal of timber, but Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
burned them periodically to encourage the growth of berries. They did little cultivation and had been almost completely removed from the area by 1837.
French fur traders were the first Europeans to enter this land. At the mouth of the Trempealeau River
Trempealeau River
The Trempealeau River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, 55 mi long, in the Driftless Area of western Wisconsin in the United States.-Course:...
, which flows from northeast to southwest across the county on its way to the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, they found a bluff surrounded by water and called it "La Montagne qui trempe à l’eau," which means "mountain with its foot in the water." The name was later shortened.
Geography
According to the U.S. 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 county has a total area of 742 square miles (1,922 km²), of which 734 square miles (1,901 km²) is land and 8 square miles (20 km²) (1.06%) is water. It is part of the Driftless Zone.
Adjacent counties
- Buffalo CountyBuffalo County, WisconsinBuffalo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 13,804. Its county seat is Alma.-Geography:According to the U.S...
- west - Eau Claire CountyEau Claire County, WisconsinEau Claire County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population estimate was 98,736. Its county seat is Eau Claire....
- north - Jackson CountyJackson County, WisconsinJackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 19,886. Its county seat is Black River Falls. Jackson County was formed from Crawford County in 1853.-Geography:According to the U.S...
- east - La Crosse County - southeast
- Winona County, MinnesotaWinona County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 49,985 people, 18,744 households, and 11,696 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 19,551 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
- southwest
Major highways
|
 Highway 93 (Wisconsin)Highway 93 (Wisconsin) State Trunk Highway 93 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs north–south in west-central Wisconsin from near Holmen to Eau Claire....  Highway 95 (Wisconsin)Highway 95 (Wisconsin) State Trunk Highway 95 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east–west in west-central Wisconsin from near Neillsville to Fountain City....  Highway 121 (Wisconsin)Highway 121 (Wisconsin) State Trunk Highway 121 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs in east–west in west-central Wisconsin from Gilmanton to Alma Center.... |
U.S. Highway 10
U.S. Highway 53
National protected areas
- Trempealeau National Wildlife RefugeTrempealeau National Wildlife RefugeTrempealeau National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located along the Upper Mississippi River in extreme southern Buffalo County and extreme southwestern Trempealeau County in Wisconsin, USA....
(part) - Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish RefugeUpper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish RefugeThe Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is a . 261 river mile long National Wildlife Refuge located in and along the Upper Mississippi River. It runs from Wabasha, Minnesota in the north to Rock Island, Illinois in the south....
(part)
Demographics
As of the census
Census
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 27,010 people, 10,747 households, and 7,243 families residing in the county. 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 37 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 11,482 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.81% White
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...
, 0.13% Black
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...
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...
, 0.17% Native 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...
, 0.13% Asian
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...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
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...
, 0.29% 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 0.47% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race. 39.0% were of Norwegian, 24.6% German and 17.0% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 94.9% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, 1.6% Norwegian
Norwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
and 1.6% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 10,747 households out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% 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, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.
Cities, towns, and villages
- AlbionAlbion, Trempealeau County, WisconsinAlbion is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 595 at the 2000 Census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.3 square miles , all of it land....
- ArcadiaArcadia, WisconsinArcadia is a city in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, along the Trempealeau River. The population was 2,925 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city in Trempealeau county.-History:...
- BlairBlair, WisconsinBlair is a city in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, along the Trempealeau River. The population was 1,273 at the 2000 census.Blair is on the former Green Bay and Western Railroad, which ran down the Trempealeau River valley to Winona, Minnesota.-History:...
- BurnsideBurnside, WisconsinBurnside is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 529.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.0 square miles , of which, 35.0 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square...
- CaledoniaCaledonia, Trempealeau County, WisconsinCaledonia is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 759 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.3 square miles , of which, 20.9 square miles of it is land and 0.4 square miles of...
- Chimney RockChimney Rock, WisconsinChimney Rock is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 276 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.1 square miles , all of it land....
- DodgeDodge, WisconsinDodge is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 414 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Dodge is located in the town.-Geography:...
- ElevaEleva, WisconsinEleva is a village in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, along the Buffalo River. The population was 670 at the 2010 census.-History:The village was originally named "New Chicago". The grain elevator had the letters "ELEVA" painted on it before winter struck...
- Ettrick (town)Ettrick (town), WisconsinEttrick is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,284 at the 2000 census. The Village of Ettrick is located within the town...
- EttrickEttrick, WisconsinEttrick is a village in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 521 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Ettrick.-Geography:Ettrick is located at ....
- GaleGale, WisconsinGale is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,426 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Butman Corners and Frenchville are located in the town.-Geography:...
- GalesvilleGalesville, WisconsinGalesville is a city in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,481 at the 2010 census.Galesville is located where Beaver Creek flows into a wide area of the Mississippi River valley...
- HaleHale, WisconsinHale is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 988 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Hale and Pleasantville are located in the town.-Geography:...
- IndependenceIndependence, WisconsinIndependence is a city in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,336 at the 2010 census. It is located at the confluence of Elk Creek and the Trempealeau River.-History:...
- LincolnLincoln, Trempealeau County, WisconsinLincoln is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 829 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.4 square miles , of which, 28.3 square miles of it is land and 0.04 square miles of...
- OsseoOsseo, WisconsinOsseo is a city located in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, at the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Buffalo River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,669.-Geography:...
- PigeonPigeon, WisconsinPigeon is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 894 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.6 square miles , all of it land....
- Pigeon FallsPigeon Falls, WisconsinPigeon Falls is a village in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 388 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pigeon Falls is located at ....
- PrestonPreston, Trempealeau County, WisconsinPreston is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 951 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 59.2 square miles , of which, 59.2 square miles of it is land and 0.02% is...
- StrumStrum, WisconsinStrum is a village in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, along the Buffalo River. The population was 1,001 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Strum is located at ....
- SumnerSumner, Trempealeau County, WisconsinSumner is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 806 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.9 square miles , of which, 33.8 square miles of it is land and 0.04 square miles of...
- Trempealeau (town)Trempealeau (town), WisconsinTrempealeau is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,618 at the 2000 census. The Village of Trempealeau is located within the town...
- TrempealeauTrempealeau, WisconsinTrempealeau is a village in Trempealeau County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,529 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Trempealeau.-Geography:Trempealeau is located at ....
- UnityUnity, Trempealeau County, WisconsinUnity is a town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 556 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.6 square miles , all of it land....
- WhitehallWhitehall, WisconsinWhitehall is a city in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Trempealeau River. The population was 1,651 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Trempealeau County....
Unincorporated communities
- Beachs CornersBeachs Corners, WisconsinBeachs Corners is an unincorporated community located in the town of Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States....
- Butman CornersButman Corners, WisconsinButman Corners is an unincorporated community located in the town of Gale, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States....
- ChapultepeeChapultepee, WisconsinChapultepee is an unincorporated community located in the town of Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States....
- CentervilleCenterville, Trempealeau County, WisconsinCenterville is an unincorporated community located in the town of Trempealeau, in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located at the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 95, Wisconsin Highway 93, and Wisconsin Highway 54 along the Great River Road.The Centerville Curling Club was...
- Dodge
- FrenchvilleFrenchville, WisconsinFrenchville is an unincorporated community located in the town of Gale, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States....
- HaleHale (community), WisconsinHale is an unincorporated community located in the town of Hale, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States....
- HeggHegg, WisconsinHegg is an unincorporated community located in the town of Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States....
- IdunaIduna, WisconsinIduna is an unincorporated community located in the town of Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States....
- PleasantvillePleasantville, WisconsinPleasantville is an unincorporated community located in the town of Hale, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States....
- Upper French CreekUpper French Creek, WisconsinUpper French Creek is an unincorporated community located in the town of Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States....
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin