Monroe County, Wisconsin

Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,274.[3] Its county seat is Sparta.[4]

Monroe County
Monroe County Courthouse in Sparta
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Monroe County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°57′N 90°37′W / 43.95°N 90.62°W / 43.95; -90.62
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1854 DT Moseley was the first white child born to settlers in Monroe County.
Named forJames Monroe[1]
SeatSparta
Largest citySparta
Area
 • Total908 sq mi (2,350 km2)
 • Land901 sq mi (2,330 km2)
 • Water7.4 sq mi (19 km2)  0.8%
Population
 • Total46,274
 • Density51.4/sq mi (19.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts3rd, 7th
Websitewww.co.monroe.wi.us

Geography edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 908 square miles (2,350 km2), of which 901 square miles (2,330 km2) is land and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (0.8%) is water.[5]

United States Army posts edit

Adjacent counties edit

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18608,410
187016,55096.8%
188021,60730.6%
189023,2117.4%
190028,10321.1%
191028,8812.8%
192028,666−0.7%
193028,7390.3%
194030,0804.7%
195031,3784.3%
196031,241−0.4%
197031,6101.2%
198035,07411.0%
199036,6334.4%
200040,89911.6%
201044,6739.2%
202046,2743.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[3]

2020 census edit

As of the census of 2020,[2] the population was 46,274. The population density was 51.4 people per square mile (19.8 people/km2). There were 19,769 housing units at an average density of 21.9 units per square mile (8.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 5.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census edit

 
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Monroe County.

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 40,899 people, 15,399 households, and 10,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile (17 people/km2). There were 16,672 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.52% White, 0.46% Black or African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.5% were of German, 13.4% Norwegian, 7.6% Irish, 6.3% American and 5.0% English ancestry. 92.9% spoke English, 3.1% German and 2.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 15,399 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.60 males.

In 2017, there were 534 births, giving a general fertility rate of 67.9 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 21st highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Of these, 43 of the births occurred at home.[11] Additionally, there were 21 reported induced abortions performed on women of Monroe County residence in 2017.[12]

In 2010, the reported adherence figures for the largest religious groups in Monroe County were Catholic at 9,250 adherents, Wisconsin Synod Lutheran at 3,102 adherents, ELCA Lutheran at 2,297 adherents, Amish at 1,627 adherents, LCMC Lutheran at 1,270 adherents, and United Methodist at 1,155 adherents.[13]

Transportation edit

Major highways edit

Railroads edit

Buses edit

Airports edit

Communities edit

 
Monroe County sign on Interstate 90

Cities edit

Villages edit

Towns edit

Census-designated places edit

Unincorporated communities edit

Economy edit

 
Walmart distribution center in Tomah, Wisconsin
 
Toro plant in Tomah, Wisconsin

Largest employers edit

  1. Tomah VA Medical Center
  2. Dept. of Defense
  3. Walmart distribution center
  4. Toro
  5. County of Monroe
  6. Northern Engraving
  7. Century Foods
  8. Cardinal Glass Industries
  9. Wal-Mart stores
  10. Tomah Memorial Hospital[14]

Politics edit

For most of its existence, Monroe County has favored the Republican Party. Since 1936, only four Democrats have won the county in presidential races.

United States presidential election results for Monroe County, Wisconsin[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 13,775 60.92% 8,433 37.30% 403 1.78%
2016 11,356 57.65% 7,052 35.80% 1,291 6.55%
2012 9,675 49.65% 9,515 48.83% 295 1.51%
2008 8,666 45.25% 10,198 53.25% 288 1.50%
2004 10,375 53.06% 8,973 45.89% 206 1.05%
2000 8,217 50.30% 7,460 45.67% 658 4.03%
1996 5,299 36.29% 6,924 47.42% 2,377 16.28%
1992 6,118 36.41% 6,427 38.24% 4,260 25.35%
1988 7,073 52.06% 6,437 47.38% 75 0.55%
1984 8,227 59.26% 5,567 40.10% 90 0.65%
1980 8,136 51.87% 6,521 41.58% 1,027 6.55%
1976 7,242 51.85% 6,465 46.28% 261 1.87%
1972 7,625 66.68% 3,640 31.83% 171 1.50%
1968 6,938 57.74% 4,012 33.39% 1,065 8.86%
1964 5,126 44.48% 6,385 55.41% 13 0.11%
1960 7,410 58.87% 5,161 41.00% 16 0.13%
1956 7,460 63.16% 4,311 36.50% 40 0.34%
1952 8,744 69.98% 3,717 29.75% 34 0.27%
1948 5,347 50.97% 4,970 47.38% 173 1.65%
1944 7,277 64.09% 4,013 35.34% 64 0.56%
1940 8,042 62.52% 4,673 36.33% 148 1.15%
1936 4,695 39.10% 6,491 54.06% 822 6.85%
1932 3,022 30.36% 6,757 67.88% 175 1.76%
1928 5,936 60.83% 3,709 38.01% 114 1.17%
1924 2,661 26.70% 428 4.30% 6,876 69.00%
1920 6,784 83.29% 977 12.00% 384 4.71%
1916 3,013 57.58% 1,991 38.05% 229 4.38%
1912 1,841 38.13% 2,084 43.16% 903 18.70%
1908 3,304 58.11% 2,155 37.90% 227 3.99%
1904 3,892 66.77% 1,749 30.01% 188 3.23%
1900 3,709 60.31% 2,247 36.54% 194 3.15%
1896 3,683 59.46% 2,361 38.12% 150 2.42%
1892 2,530 47.14% 2,458 45.80% 379 7.06%

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 162.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census: Monroe County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  11. ^ "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  12. ^ "Reported Induced Abortions in Wisconsin" (PDF). Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. December 2018. "Trend Information, 2013-2017", "Table 18", pages 17-18. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 4, 2023.
  13. ^ "County Membership Report: Monroe County (Wisconsin): Religious Traditions". The Association of Religion Data Archives. 2010. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022.
  14. ^ "Monroe County". 7 Rivers Alliance. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 10, 2020.

Further reading edit

External links edit

43°57′N 90°37′W / 43.95°N 90.62°W / 43.95; -90.62