Oconto, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Oconto is a city in Oconto County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 4,708 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The city is located partially within the town of Oconto
.
, which has remains dated to around 5000-6000 B.C. It is a burial ground of the Copper Culture Indians. This burial ground is considered to be the oldest cemetery in Wisconsin and one of the oldest in the nation.
French Jesuit, Roman Catholic priest and missionary, Father Claude-Jean Allouez
said the first Mass in Oconto.
The city of Oconto was incorporated in 1869.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19.1 km²), of which 6.9 square miles (17.8 km²) is land and 0.5 square mile (1.2 km²) (6.39%) is water.
Oconto is located at the mouth of the Oconto river which feeds into Lake Michigan.
of 2000, there were 4,708 people, 1,870 households, and 1,221 families residing in the city. The population density
was 683.7 people per square mile (263.8/km²). There were 2,040 housing units at an average density of 296.2 per square mile (114.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.79% White, 0.02% Black or African American
, 0.85% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races
, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,870 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples
living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,589, and the median income for a family was $43,676. Males had a median income of $27,455 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,717. About 5.2% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
The table at right with historical census data indicates that the population has remained relatively flat throughout the 20th century.
Oconto County, Wisconsin
Oconto County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 35,634. Its county seat is Oconto.Oconto County is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was established in 1851.-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 4,708 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Green Bay metropolitan area
The Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Wisconsin, anchored by the city of Green Bay...
. The city is located partially within the town of Oconto
Oconto (town), Wisconsin
Oconto is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,251 at the 2000 census. The City of Oconto is located partially within the town.-Geography:...
.
History
Oconto is home to Copper Culture State ParkCopper Culture State Park
Copper Culture State Park is a Wisconsin state park in Oconto. The park contains a burial ground used by Native Americans of the Old Copper Complex during the Copper Age between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago. Artifacts and photographs from excavations here are displayed on the park grounds in the...
, which has remains dated to around 5000-6000 B.C. It is a burial ground of the Copper Culture Indians. This burial ground is considered to be the oldest cemetery in Wisconsin and one of the oldest in the nation.
French Jesuit, Roman Catholic priest and missionary, Father Claude-Jean Allouez
Claude-Jean Allouez
Claude Jean Allouez was a Jesuit missionary and French explorer of North America.Allouez was born in Saint-Didier-en-Velay in the département of Haute-Loire in south-central France. In 1639, he graduated from the College of Le Puy, and became a Jesuit novice in Toulouse, France. In 1655, he was...
said the first Mass in Oconto.
The city of Oconto was incorporated in 1869.
Geography
Oconto is located at 44°53′15"N 87°52′13"W (44.887714, -87.870423).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 7.4 square miles (19.1 km²), of which 6.9 square miles (17.8 km²) is land and 0.5 square mile (1.2 km²) (6.39%) is water.
Oconto is located at the mouth of the Oconto river which feeds into Lake Michigan.
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 4,708 people, 1,870 households, and 1,221 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 683.7 people per square mile (263.8/km²). There were 2,040 housing units at an average density of 296.2 per square mile (114.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.79% White, 0.02% 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...
, 0.85% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.21% 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 0.89% from two or more races. 0.79% 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 1,870 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% 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, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,589, and the median income for a family was $43,676. Males had a median income of $27,455 versus $22,083 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 $20,717. About 5.2% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
The table at right with historical census data indicates that the population has remained relatively flat throughout the 20th century.
Education
The following schools are available in Oconto:- Oconto Elementary School
- Oconto Literacy Charter School
- Oconto Middle School
- Oconto High SchoolOconto High SchoolOconto High School is a public high school in Oconto, Wisconsin. Enrollment is approximately 394 students.The present school building was constructed in 1969. The school mascot is the , and the school colors are blue and gold. The principal of Oconto High School is Mr. Bill...
Transportation
US 41U.S. Route 41U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
Northbound travels to MarinetteMarinette, WisconsinMarinette is a city in and the county seat of Marinette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 11,749 at the 2000 census.Marinette is the principal city of the Marinette, WI–MI Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Marinette County, Wisconsin and Menominee...
. South it continues toward Green BayGreen Bay, WisconsinGreen Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
.
WIS 22 connects with Oconto FallsOconto Falls, WisconsinOconto Falls is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,843 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Oconto Falls is located at ....
and GillettGillett, WisconsinGillett is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,256 according to the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area...
southbound.
Notable residents
- Alvin O'KonskiAlvin O'KonskiAlvin Edward O'Konski was a United States Representative from Wisconsin. Born on a farm near Kewaunee, he attended the local public schools and the University of Iowa. He graduated from State Teachers College in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1927 and from the University of Wisconsin in 1932...
, U.S. Representative - Bob McDougalBob McDougalRobert Joseph McDougal was a professional American football fullback in the National Football League who played for the Green Bay Packers. McDougal played collegiate ball for Duke University and the University of Miami before being drafted by the Packers in the 9th round of the 1947 NFL Draft...
, NFL player - David Guy Classon, U.S. Representative
- Deral TeteakDeral TeteakDeral Teteak was a guard and linebacker in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers. Teteak attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, football player - Edward ScofieldEdward ScofieldEdward Scofield was an American politician who served as the 19th Governor of Wisconsin.-Biography:Scofield was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He fought in the American Civil War as a member of the 11th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment and eventually rose to the rank of major. He moved to Oconto,...
, 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... - Warren R. SmithWarren R. SmithWarren R. Smith was the State Treasurer of Wisconsin, United States from 1947 until his death in office....
, Wisconsin State Treasurer - Fay HoldernessFay HoldernessFay Holderness was a vaudeville performer and film actress from Oconto, Wisconsin.Holderness performed in a vaudeville production in Olean, New York in 1920, a presentation of The Village Four. Three actors along with Holderness appeared in this comedy and harmony singing skit.She performed in...
, actress - Jab MurrayJab MurrayJab Murray was a player in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and Racine Legion from 1921 to 1924. He played at the collegiate level at Marquette University.-References:...
, NFL player - Landy ScottLandy ScottLandy Scott is a former midget car racing champion. He also served as the President of Badger Midget Auto Racing Association from 1951-1959.-Life:...
, champion race car driver - Pahl DavisPahl DavisPahl Davis was a player in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers in 1922. Davis served as a guard, end, and fullback. He played at the collegiate level at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.-References:...
, NFL player - Red MackRed MackWilliam Richard "Red" Mack was an American football wide receiver and halfback in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Green Bay Packers. As a Green Bay Packer he played in Super Bowl I, January 15, 1967,and made two tackles...
, NFL player for the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...