Jefferson, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Jefferson is a city in Jefferson County
, Wisconsin
, and is its county seat. It is located at the confluence of the Rock
and Crawfish
Rivers. The population was 7,338 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Jefferson
.
was able to navigate the Rock, in 1884. Unfortunately for Jefferson, that was the only time it was visited by a steamboat, as bridges were built downstream that prevented navigation.
During World War II
, Camp Jefferson, a prison camp for German POW's, was erected at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds hosted horse buggy racing prior to the renovations to the new fairgrounds.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.1 km²), of which, 4.5 square miles (11.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (4.29%) is water.
Jefferson's elevation is 797 ft (243 m).
Jefferson is surrounded by hills.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 7,338 people, 2,816 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,645.9 people per square mile (635.3/km²). There were 2,934 housing units at an average density of 658.1 per square mile (254.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.28% White, 0.53% Black or African American
, 0.55% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.04% from other races
, and 1.12% from two or more races. 6.79% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,816 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples
living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,962, and the median income for a family was $47,737. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $25,142 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,124. About 5.4% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over
In Jefferson there are six schools: two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and two private schools. In 1939, East Elementary School was built as a public works
project during the Great Depression
. The names of the schools are East Elementary, West Elementary, Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson High School, St. John's Catholic, and St. John's Lutheran.
is an ethanol
plant located in Jefferson. There is also a large Purina Dog Food Manufacturing plant, a Tyson Foods
Plant, and the Home Power Products Division of Briggs & Stratton
Corporation.
Walmart is a new addition to Jefferson. It provided many more jobs and an economic boost.
Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 74,021. Its county seat is Jefferson.-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...
, and is its county seat. It is located at the confluence of the Rock
Rock River (Illinois)
The Rock River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Illinois. It rises in southeast Wisconsin, in the Theresa Marsh near Theresa, Wisconsin in northeast Dodge County, Wisconsin approximately south of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin...
and Crawfish
Crawfish River
The Crawfish River is a tributary of the Rock River, long, in south-central Wisconsin in the United States. Via the Rock River, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River....
Rivers. The population was 7,338 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Jefferson
Jefferson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Jefferson is a town in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,265 at the 2000 census. The City of Jefferson is located partially within the town.-Geography:...
.
History
The location of Jefferson was selected to make use of the water power and transportation opportunities offered by the Rock River. It was the furthest point that a steamboatSteamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
was able to navigate the Rock, in 1884. Unfortunately for Jefferson, that was the only time it was visited by a steamboat, as bridges were built downstream that prevented navigation.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Camp Jefferson, a prison camp for German POW's, was erected at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds hosted horse buggy racing prior to the renovations to the new fairgrounds.
Geography
Jefferson is located at 43°0′11"N 88°48′28"W (43.003091, -88.807855).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 4.7 square miles (12.1 km²), of which, 4.5 square miles (11.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (4.29%) is water.
Jefferson's elevation is 797 ft (243 m).
Jefferson is surrounded by hills.
Demographics
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 7,338 people, 2,816 households, and 1,819 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 1,645.9 people per square mile (635.3/km²). There were 2,934 housing units at an average density of 658.1 per square mile (254.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.28% White, 0.53% 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...
, 0.55% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.04% 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 1.12% from two or more races. 6.79% 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 2,816 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% 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, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,962, and the median income for a family was $47,737. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $25,142 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 $19,124. About 5.4% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over
Education
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
project during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. The names of the schools are East Elementary, West Elementary, Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson High School, St. John's Catholic, and St. John's Lutheran.
Economy
Renew EnergyRenew Energy
Renew Energy is a privately owned, corn-fed ethanol fuel plant located in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Renew Energy produces 130 million U.S. gallons of fuel-grade ethanol yearly, making it the state’s largest ethanol plant, along with nearly a dozen high quality by-products ranging from carbon...
is an ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
plant located in Jefferson. There is also a large Purina Dog Food Manufacturing plant, a Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. is a multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas, that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork only behind Brazilian JBS S.A., and annually exports the largest percentage of beef out of...
Plant, and the Home Power Products Division of Briggs & Stratton
Briggs & Stratton
Briggs & Stratton is the world's largest manufacturer of air-cooled gasoline engines primarily for outdoor power equipment. Current production averages 11 million engines per year.-History:...
Corporation.
Walmart is a new addition to Jefferson. It provided many more jobs and an economic boost.
Notable people
- Rosemary KennedyRosemary KennedyRose Marie "Rosemary" Kennedy was the third child and first daughter of Rose Elizabeth Kennedy née Fitzgerald and Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Sr., born little more than a year after her brother, future U.S. President John F. Kennedy...
, sister of President John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, lived in Jefferson. - Paul M. BlayneyPaul M. BlayneyPaul M. Blayney is a Rear Admiral in the United States Coast Guard.-Biography:Blayney was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was raised in Jefferson, Wisconsin. He obtained a J.D. from the Columbus School of Law in 1972.Blayney married Mary Saccardi in 1971....
, U.S. Coast Guard admiral - Kenneth E. GruennertKenneth E. GruennertKenneth E. Gruennert was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.-Biography:...
, Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient, attended school in Jefferson. - Robert Kirkland HenryRobert Kirkland HenryRobert Kirkland Henry was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for Wisconsin's Second Congressional District. He was elected in 1944 and re-elected in 1946. He served from January 3, 1945 until his death on November 20, 1946. He was Wisconsin state treasurer from...
, United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, was born in Jefferson. - Zeke SanbornZeke SanbornZeke Sanborn was a member of the rowing team for the United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. He would win a gold medal in men's coxed eights.-Biography:Sanborn was born Alden Reamer Sanborn on May 22, 1899 in Jefferson, Wisconsin...
, OlympicOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
gold medalist, was born in Jefferson.