Mercer, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Mercer is a town in southern Iron County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 1,732 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Mercer
and the unincorporated communities of Carter
and Manitowish
are located within the town.
Mercer identifies itself as the "Loon
Capital of the World" in order to promote tourism
. This is based on a wildlife study that found Mercer had the highest concentration of common loons in the world. In front of the Mercer Chamber of Commerce's information center, there is a 16 feet (4.9 m), 2000 pounds (907.2 kg) statue named "Claire de Loon." Mercer also hosts an annual "Loon Day" festival, which features a large arts and crafts fair, live music and a loon calling contest.
, the town has a total area of 184.8 square miles (478.5 km²), of which, 168.0 square miles (435.2 km²) of it is land and 16.7 square miles (43.3 km²) of it (9.05%) is water.
of 2000, there were 1,732 people, 820 households, and 519 families residing in the town. The population density
was 10.3 people per square mile (4.0/km²). There were 1,926 housing units at an average density of 11.5 per square mile (4.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.96% White, 0.12% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% from other races
, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.
There were 820 households out of which 17.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples
living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.63.
In the town the population was spread out with 16.7% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,413, and the median income for a family was $39,402. Males had a median income of $29,911 versus $22,042 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $19,087. About 8.7% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
In the 1930s Mercer was known to be frequented by the Capone brothers, Al, Ralph, George, and Matte. Ralph Capone eventually returned to Mercer, built a home, and ran a tavern called "The Rex Bar" until the early 1970s. He was said to be one of Mercer's most respected, well-liked residents who was always ready to help his fellow townspeople.
Mercer is home to the Mercer Area Historical Society housed in the former train station
; it contains a small museum of local history. Other buildings include a jail
, schoolhouse, barbershop, and a reconstructed caboose
.
Iron County, Wisconsin
Iron County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 6,861. Its county seat is Hurley.-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...
. The population was 1,732 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Mercer
Mercer (CDP), Wisconsin
Mercer is an unincorporated census-designated place located in the town of Mercer, Iron County, Wisconsin, United States. Mercer is located on U.S. Route 51 south-southeast of Hurley. Mercer has a post office with ZIP code 54547. As of the 2010 census, its population is 516....
and the unincorporated communities of Carter
Carter, Iron County, Wisconsin
Carter is an unincorporated community located in the town of Mercer, Iron County, Wisconsin, United States. Carter is south of Hurley....
and Manitowish
Manitowish, Wisconsin
Manitowish is an unincorporated community located within the Town of Mercer, Iron County Wisconsin. The main features of Manitowish are the Manitowish River and the junctions of U.S. Route 51, Wisconsin Highway 47 and Wisconsin Highway 182.-Notes:...
are located within the town.
Mercer identifies itself as the "Loon
Loon
The loons or divers are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Eurasia...
Capital of the World" in order to promote tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
. This is based on a wildlife study that found Mercer had the highest concentration of common loons in the world. In front of the Mercer Chamber of Commerce's information center, there is a 16 feet (4.9 m), 2000 pounds (907.2 kg) statue named "Claire de Loon." Mercer also hosts an annual "Loon Day" festival, which features a large arts and crafts fair, live music and a loon calling contest.
Geography
According to the United States 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 town has a total area of 184.8 square miles (478.5 km²), of which, 168.0 square miles (435.2 km²) of it is land and 16.7 square miles (43.3 km²) of it (9.05%) 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 1,732 people, 820 households, and 519 families residing in the town. 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 10.3 people per square mile (4.0/km²). There were 1,926 housing units at an average density of 11.5 per square mile (4.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.96% White, 0.12% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% 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 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.
There were 820 households out of which 17.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% 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, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.63.
In the town the population was spread out with 16.7% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,413, and the median income for a family was $39,402. Males had a median income of $29,911 versus $22,042 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 town was $19,087. About 8.7% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
History
Like other towns in the region, Mercer is in a resort area that has a background in mining and logging.In the 1930s Mercer was known to be frequented by the Capone brothers, Al, Ralph, George, and Matte. Ralph Capone eventually returned to Mercer, built a home, and ran a tavern called "The Rex Bar" until the early 1970s. He was said to be one of Mercer's most respected, well-liked residents who was always ready to help his fellow townspeople.
Tourism
Mercer's main industry is seasonal tourism, which is based on the large amount of undeveloped land and secluded waterways. Summer activities include boating, fishing, biking, hiking, and swimming. Summer tourism is often based on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and other bodies of water, such as Tank Lake (Grand Portage Lake), former home to weekly water ski shows and site of a public beach. Fishing and other water sports include water skiing and jet skiing. Autumn and winter recreation includes snowmobiling, skiing, and hunting.Mercer is home to the Mercer Area Historical Society housed in the former train station
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
; it contains a small museum of local history. Other buildings include a jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
, schoolhouse, barbershop, and a reconstructed caboose
Caboose
A caboose is a manned North American rail transport vehicle coupled at the end of a freight train. Although cabooses were once used on nearly every freight train, their use has declined and they are seldom seen on trains, except on locals and smaller railroads.-Function:The caboose provided the...
.