Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Elkhorn is a city in Walworth County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. It is southwest of Milwaukee
and northwest of Chicago. The population was 7,305 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Walworth County
. Elkhorn was listed in Norman Crampton's 1995 edition "The 100 Best Small Towns In America" and it came in at number 14.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.3 square miles (19.0 km²), of which 7.3 square miles (18.8 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.1 km²) is water.
of 2000, there were 7,305 people, 2,919 households, and 1,903 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,005.2 people per square mile (388.0/km²). There were 3,014 housing units at an average density of 414.7 per square mile (160.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.81% White, 0.47% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.83% from other races
, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.13% of the population.
There were 2,919 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,395, and the median income for a family was $47,475. Males had a median income of $34,867 versus $22,253 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,003. About 7.4% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
The area's beauty and fertile soil lead Daniel Bradley, his brother Milo, and LeGrand Rockwell to create a village in the area. The success of the village lead to the first town meeting held in 1846. The growth of the city had reached 539 people the year of the first town meeting. Elkhorn was designated county seat that same year because of its position in Walworth County.
In 1851, Elkhorn became the residence of the Walworth County Fair, which is now hosted annually at the Walworth County Fairgrounds
. The fair has been ranked as one of the greatest fairs in the country. The event has been bringing people from all around the country since its birth. Besides the Wisconsin State Fair, the Walworth County Fair is the largest of Wisconsin.
Elkhorn has been known as the nation's 'Christmas Card Town' since the city has been placing unique Christmas decorations around its center since before World War II. This tradition of being the 'Christmas Card Town' is celebrated and noted every year with the oil paintings done by local artist Jan Castle Reed. This tradition of a new painting every year came from the 1950s watercolor paintings done for the Ford Motor Company. These watercolor paintings were turned into Christmas cards and sent all around the country.
Walworth County, Wisconsin
Walworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 102,228. Its county seat is Elkhorn.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, 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...
. It is southwest of Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
and northwest of Chicago. The population was 7,305 at the 2000 census. It is the 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....
of Walworth County
Walworth County, Wisconsin
Walworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 102,228. Its county seat is Elkhorn.-Geography:According to the U.S...
. Elkhorn was listed in Norman Crampton's 1995 edition "The 100 Best Small Towns In America" and it came in at number 14.
Geography
Elkhorn is located at 42°40′22"N 88°32′25"W (42.672900, -88.540342).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 7.3 square miles (19.0 km²), of which 7.3 square miles (18.8 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.1 km²) 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 7,305 people, 2,919 households, and 1,903 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 1,005.2 people per square mile (388.0/km²). There were 3,014 housing units at an average density of 414.7 per square mile (160.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.81% White, 0.47% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.83% 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 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.13% of the population.
There were 2,919 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% 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, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,395, and the median income for a family was $47,475. Males had a median income of $34,867 versus $22,253 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 $20,003. About 7.4% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
History
In the early 19th century, Colonel Samuel Phoenix spotted a rack of elk antlers in a tree and continued to proclaim the area as "Elk Horn."The area's beauty and fertile soil lead Daniel Bradley, his brother Milo, and LeGrand Rockwell to create a village in the area. The success of the village lead to the first town meeting held in 1846. The growth of the city had reached 539 people the year of the first town meeting. Elkhorn was designated county seat that same year because of its position in Walworth County.
In 1851, Elkhorn became the residence of the Walworth County Fair, which is now hosted annually at the Walworth County Fairgrounds
Walworth County Fairgrounds
The Walworth County Fairgrounds is an almost plot of land located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States and owned by the Walworth County Agricultural Society.-History:...
. The fair has been ranked as one of the greatest fairs in the country. The event has been bringing people from all around the country since its birth. Besides the Wisconsin State Fair, the Walworth County Fair is the largest of Wisconsin.
Elkhorn has been known as the nation's 'Christmas Card Town' since the city has been placing unique Christmas decorations around its center since before World War II. This tradition of being the 'Christmas Card Town' is celebrated and noted every year with the oil paintings done by local artist Jan Castle Reed. This tradition of a new painting every year came from the 1950s watercolor paintings done for the Ford Motor Company. These watercolor paintings were turned into Christmas cards and sent all around the country.
Notable people
- Thomas Ryum AmlieThomas Ryum AmlieThomas Ryum Amlie was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1931 to 1933 and again from 1935 to 1939. He was a member of the Wisconsin Progressive Party.-External links:* at Find-A-Grave----...
- U.S. Representative - Greg KentGreg KentGreg Kent was a player in the American Football League and the National Football League for the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions in 1966 and 1968 as a tackle and defensive end. He played at the collegiate level at the University of Utah and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.-Biography:Kent was...
- NFL player - Dave KraayeveldDave KraayeveldDave Kraayeveld was a player in the National Football League for the Seattle Seahawks in 1978 as a defensive end and defensive tackle. He played at the collegiate level at Milton College and the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.-Biography:...
- NFL player - Francis E. McGovernFrancis E. McGovernFrancis McGovern , was an American politician who served as the 22nd Governor of Wisconsin from 1911 to 1915.McGovern supported the La Follette progressive wing of the Republican Party...
- Governor of WisconsinGovernor of WisconsinThe Governor of Wisconsin is the highest executive authority in the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey on June 7, 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state... - John RaleighJohn RaleighJohn Raleigh was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals after having been purchased by the team from the Vernon Tigers of the Pacific Coast League.-References:...
- MLB player - Jim RoslofJim RoslofJames Paul "Jim" Roslof was an American artist and graphic designer particularly well known for cover art and interior illustrations of fantasy role-playing games published by TSR, Inc. during the "golden age" of Dungeons & Dragons...
- Fantasy Artist - Joseph Philbrick WebsterJoseph Philbrick WebsterJoseph Philbrick Webster, also known as J.P. Webster , was an American songwriter and composer most notable for his musical compositions during the Antebellum and American Civil War periods of United States history, and his post-war religious hymns.Amongst his most notable works are the ballad...
- Composer "In the Sweet By and By"