Chetek, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Chetek is a city in Barron County in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. The population was 2,180 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Chetek. There are six major lakes in Chetek; Lake Pokegama, Lake Ojaski/Mud Lake, Prairie Lake, Ten Mile Lake, Lake Chetek, and Moose ear Lake. The Fish-O-Rama happens here every year.
Indians, who referred to the area as zhede (g), meaning pelican. This was translated into various spellings, such as Sheetak, Shetak, Shetuk, Chetack, until the first post office was opened in 1872. The spelling was then standardized to "Chetek".
In 1872, the Omaha Railroad began service to Chetek, the Knapp-Stout logging camp was established, and the first log schoolhouse was built.
Other important dates:
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (7.9 km²), of which, 2.3 square miles (6.1 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (22.88%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,180 people, 939 households, and 568 families residing in the city. The population density
was 925.7 people per square mile (358.2/km²). There were 1,052 housing units at an average density of 446.7 per square mile (172.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.62% White, 0.09% Black or African American
, 0.32% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races
, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.
There were 939 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,270, and the median income for a family was $40,114. Males had a median income of $28,375 versus $18,906 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,922. About 9.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
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...
. The population was 2,180 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Chetek. There are six major lakes in Chetek; Lake Pokegama, Lake Ojaski/Mud Lake, Prairie Lake, Ten Mile Lake, Lake Chetek, and Moose ear Lake. The Fish-O-Rama happens here every year.
History
The original inhabitants of the area were the OjibwaOjibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
Indians, who referred to the area as zhede (g), meaning pelican. This was translated into various spellings, such as Sheetak, Shetak, Shetuk, Chetack, until the first post office was opened in 1872. The spelling was then standardized to "Chetek".
In 1872, the Omaha Railroad began service to Chetek, the Knapp-Stout logging camp was established, and the first log schoolhouse was built.
Other important dates:
- 1881 – Medical care became available
- 1882 - The Chetek Alert began publication, a newspaper still serving the area
- 1891 - Became a city
- 1903 – Telephone service was introduced
- 1904 – Fire Department began
- 1960 - Roselawn Elementary opened
- 2010 - School District of Chetek consolidates with Fredrick Weyerhaeuser School District
Geography
Chetek is located at 45°19′7"N 91°39′16"W (45.318656, -91.65447).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 3.1 square miles (7.9 km²), of which, 2.3 square miles (6.1 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (22.88%) 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 2,180 people, 939 households, and 568 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 925.7 people per square mile (358.2/km²). There were 1,052 housing units at an average density of 446.7 per square mile (172.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.62% White, 0.09% 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...
, 0.32% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.09% 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 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.
There were 939 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% 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, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,270, and the median income for a family was $40,114. Males had a median income of $28,375 versus $18,906 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 $17,922. About 9.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- J. B. Van HollenJ. B. Van HollenJohn Byron "J.B." Van Hollen is the Attorney General of the State of Wisconsin. A Republican, he was elected to the office in November 2006 and took office on January 3, 2007, succeeding Democrat Peg Lautenschlager.-Background:...
, Wisconsin Attorney General - John C. Van HollenJohn C. Van Hollen (Wisconsin politician)John C. Van Hollen is a Wisconsin businessman and politician.Born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, he grew up in Chetek, Wisconsin. He served in the United States military during the Korean War and graduated from University of Wisconsin....
, Wisconsin realtor and politician - Larry WalkerLarry WalkerLarry Kenneth Robert Walker is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1989 through 2005, Walker played for the Montreal Expos , Colorado Rockies , and St. Louis Cardinals...
, former Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals right fielder