Merrill, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Merrill is a city in Lincoln County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 10,728 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the south of and adjacent to the Town of Merrill
.
The Merrill area had a 2000 census
population of 16,289, and comprises the core of the United States Census Bureau
's Merrill MSA, which includes all of Lincoln County
(2000 population: 29,641). Together with the Wausau
MSA
(which includes all of Marathon County
, 2000 population: 125,834) it forms the Wausau-Merrill CSA
. As of the 2000 census, the CSA's total population was 155,475.
at its confluence with the Prairie River
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.5 square miles (19.5 km²), of which, 7.0 square miles (18.2 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (6.51%) is water.
Merrill is located west of US Route 51 on State Highway 64 (Main Street).
Council Grounds State Park
is west of the city.
of 2000, there were 10,146 people, 4,183 households, and 2,631 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,441.7 people per square mile (556.4/km²). There were 4,397 housing units at an average density of 624.8 per square mile (241.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.77% White, 0.20% Black or African American
, 0.54% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races
, and 0.66% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 4,183 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples
living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,098, and the median income for a family was $45,860. Males had a median income of $30,789 versus $21,372 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,429. About 5.7% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.
The mayor of Merrill is William Bialecki.
, which covers the majority of Lincoln County and small areas of the neighboring counties. Northcentral Technical College
's Public Safety Training center was built in Merrill in 2005.
From 1889 to 1921 a streetcar line was operated by the
Merrill Railway & Lighting Co.
who also operated one of the earliest trolleybus
lines in the United States in 1913.
and Marathon
Counties, was the setting for the low budget 1975 film The Giant Spider Invasion
. The film was featured in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000
during Season 8.
Lincoln County, Wisconsin
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 29,641. Its county seat is Merrill.-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 10,728 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the south of and adjacent to the Town of Merrill
Merrill (town), Wisconsin
Merrill is a town in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,979 at the 2000 census. The City of Merrill is located to the south of and adjacent to the town...
.
The Merrill area had a 2000 census
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...
population of 16,289, and comprises the core of 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...
's Merrill MSA, which includes all of Lincoln County
Lincoln County, Wisconsin
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 29,641. Its county seat is Merrill.-Geography:According to the U.S...
(2000 population: 29,641). Together with the Wausau
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
MSA
United States metropolitan area
In the United States a metropolitan statistical area is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are not legally incorporated as a city or town would be, nor are they legal administrative divisions like...
(which includes all of Marathon County
Marathon County, Wisconsin
Marathon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is part of the Wausau, WI, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 134,063. Its county seat is Wausau.-Geography:...
, 2000 population: 125,834) it forms the Wausau-Merrill CSA
Combined Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...
. As of the 2000 census, the CSA's total population was 155,475.
History
Merrill was originally a logging town by the name of Jenny Bull Falls. The settlement commenced with a trading post in 1843. The name was changed to Merrill in honor of S.S. Merrill, the general manager of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad. The railroad and passenger depot, a hub of social activity through the lumber industry's boom years and after, became a community youth center, but has since been razed. By 1900, the timber industry was in decline and the community was compelled to diversify its economy.Geography
Merrill is located at 45°10′57"N 89°41′44"W (45.182569, -89.69559), along the Wisconsin RiverWisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
at its confluence with the Prairie River
Prairie River (Wisconsin)
The Prairie River is a tributary of the Wisconsin River in north-central Wisconsin in the United States. It is about 40 mi long. Via the Wisconsin River, it is part of the Mississippi River watershed.-Course:...
.
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 7.5 square miles (19.5 km²), of which, 7.0 square miles (18.2 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (6.51%) is water.
Merrill is located west of US Route 51 on State Highway 64 (Main Street).
Council Grounds State Park
Council Grounds State Park
Council Grounds State Park is a Wisconsin state park on the Wisconsin River. It was originally a Merrill city park that was donated to the state in 1938, evolving in designation from a state roadside park to a state forest to full state park status in 1978. The Works Progress Administration...
is west of the city.
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 10,146 people, 4,183 households, and 2,631 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 1,441.7 people per square mile (556.4/km²). There were 4,397 housing units at an average density of 624.8 per square mile (241.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.77% White, 0.20% 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...
, 0.54% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.36% 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 0.66% from two or more races. 1.03% 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 4,183 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% 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, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,098, and the median income for a family was $45,860. Males had a median income of $30,789 versus $21,372 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 $17,429. About 5.7% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The Lincoln County Courthouse, begun in 1903, was completed for $119,882. Its central rotunda is 32 feet in diameter; second floor offices lead off its balcony. A 48-inch bell and one-ton clock were mounted on the roof tower.The mayor of Merrill is William Bialecki.
Education
Merrill Area Public Schools is the area's school districtSchool district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
, which covers the majority of Lincoln County and small areas of the neighboring counties. Northcentral Technical College
Northcentral Technical College
Northcentral Technical College is a technical college in Wausau, Wisconsin, USA. The district of the college includes all of, or portions of, Marathon, Lincoln, Taylor, Price, Langlade, Menominee, Clark, Portage, Shawano and Waupaca counties. The main campus is located in Wausau...
's Public Safety Training center was built in Merrill in 2005.
Public Schools
- Merrill High School
- Prairie River Middle School
- Jefferson Elementary School
- Kate Goodrich Elementary School
- Maple Grove Elementary School
- Pine River Elementary School
- Washington Elementary School
Private Schools
- Trinity Lutheran School
- St. Johns Lutheran School
- St. Francis Xavier Catholic School
- New Testament Church Christian Academy
Transportation
 |
U.S. 51 U.S. Route 51 U.S. Route 51 is a north–south United States highway that runs for 1,286 miles from the western suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana to within of the Wisconsin-Michigan border. Much of the highway in Illinois and southern Wisconsin runs parallel to or overlaps Interstate 39... Northbound US 51 to Woodruff, Wisconsin Woodruff, Wisconsin Woodruff is a town in Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,055 at the 2010 census. The census-designated place of Woodruff is located in the town.-Points of interest:... . Southbound, US 51 routes to Wausau, Wisconsin Wausau, Wisconsin Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people... . |
 |
WIS 17 travels north to Rhinelander, Wisconsin Rhinelander, Wisconsin Rhinelander is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 7,735 at the 2000 census.-Claim to fame:... . |
 |
WIS 64 travels east to Antigo, Wisconsin Antigo, Wisconsin Antigo is a city in and the county seat of Langlade County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,560 at the 2000 census. Antigo is the center of a farming and lumbering district, and its manufactures consist principally of lumber, chairs, furniture, sashes, doors and blinds, hubs and... , and west to Medford, Wisconsin Medford, Wisconsin Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,326 at the 2010 census. The city is located mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Medford.- Geography :Medford is located at Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin,... . |
From 1889 to 1921 a streetcar line was operated by the
Merrill Railway & Lighting Co.
Merrill Railway & Lighting Co.
The Merrill Railway & Lighting Co was set up in 1889. During the first months of operation, problems with poor bonding of the track led to the electrocution of several animals. This led the company to develop the first use by a trolley company of a second suspended wire for return power.The company...
who also operated one of the earliest trolleybus
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
lines in the United States in 1913.
Popular culture
The town, along with the surrounding LincolnLincoln County, Wisconsin
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 29,641. Its county seat is Merrill.-Geography:According to the U.S...
and Marathon
Marathon County, Wisconsin
Marathon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is part of the Wausau, WI, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 134,063. Its county seat is Wausau.-Geography:...
Counties, was the setting for the low budget 1975 film The Giant Spider Invasion
The Giant Spider Invasion
The Giant Spider Invasion is a low-budget 1975 film produced by Transcentury Pictures, a partnership owned by the film's director Bill Rebane. The film is about giant spiders that terrorize the town of Merrill, Wisconsin and the surrounding area. The Giant Spider Invasion was given a U.S. release...
. The film was featured in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
during Season 8.
Notable people
- Wendy BoglioliWendy BoglioliWendy Lansbach Boglioli is a former Olympic swimmer and swimming coach from the United States, who later became a motivational speaker...
, 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...
swimmingSwimming (sport)Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
gold medalist. - Charles ChvalaCharles ChvalaCharles Chvala is a Wisconsin politician and legislator.Born in Merrill, Wisconsin, Chvala graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and received his law degree there. In 1983, he served in the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Democratic lawmaker. He served in the Wisconsin State...
, Wisconsin politician. - Ralph Dorn HetzelRalph Dorn HetzelRalph Dorn Hetzel was the tenth president of the Pennsylvania State University, serving from 1927 until 1947...
, tenth president of Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityThe Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service... - Zola JesusZola jesusZola Jesus is the stage name of Russian American singer/songwriter Nika Roza Danilova . Having released three EPs and two full-length albums, combining industrial, classical, electronic, goth and experimental rock influences, she received generally good reviews and was regarded as one of the names...
, singer and songwriter - H. V. Kaltenborn, journalist
- Clifford KruegerClifford KruegerClifford W. "Tiny" Krueger was an American politician, businessman and circus performer from Wisconsin.-Circus career:Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Krueger graduated from high school in Merrill, Wisconsin...
, Wisconsin politician - Oxie LaneOxie LaneFrancis Charles "Oxie" Lane was a player in the National Football League for the Milwaukee Badgers in 1926 as a tackle. He played at the collegiate level at Marquette University.-References:...
, NFL player - Myron Hawley McCord, U.S. Representative
- Donald Edgar TewesDonald Edgar TewesDonald Edgar Tewes is a retired businessman and a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for Wisconsin's Second Congressional District from January 3, 1957 to January 3, 1959....
, 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... - Tom UttechTom UttechTom Uttech is an American landscape painter known for his moody depictions of North American woodlands, and animals that inhabit them.-About:...
, artist
Recreation
- GRABAAWRGrabaawrThe Great Annual Bicycle Adventure Along the Wisconsin River is a 500-mile, 7-day supported bicycle tour of Wisconsin from Eagle River to Prairie du Chien. It has been run in the last week of June, for 21 consecutive years by the Bike Wisconsin organization.The 2006 tour had 900 registrants from...
- MARC/Smith Center http://merrill.pucksystems2.com/
- Merrill Soccer http://www.merrillsoccer.com/