Onalaska, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Onalaska is a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 18,097. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area
.
Onalaska is built on a slightly elevated ridge above the Black River. Natural areas include river bottomland as well as high, heavily wooded, scenic bluffs
. A manmade reservoir at the city's western edge is known as Lake Onalaska
. Onalaska is known as "The Sunfish Capital of the World."
Onalaska, Wisconsin, Onalaska, Arkansas (now defunct), Onalaska, Texas
, and Onalaska, Washington
are all historically linked to one another through the lumber industry. The modern day city of Unalaska, Alaska
and Unalaska Island
are linked to the Onalaskas in the lower 48 states through Thomas Campbell's poem. Unalaska, Alaska is the original Oonalaska or Onalaska or "Ounalashka" (Russian spelling) immortalized by Campbell.
, the city has a total area of 12.5 square miles (25.1 km²), of which, 9.1 square miles (23.5 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²) of it (5.99%) is water.
Onalaska lies immediately north of La Crosse, Wisconsin
on the Black River and is the second largest city in La Crosse County.
Named streams within the current corporate limits of the city include the Black River, the La Crosse River
, and Sand Lake Coulee Creek. In the 1930s, construction of Lake Onalaska
resulted in the flooding and eventual disappearance of a shallow, natural body of water, Rice Lake, as well as several smaller ponds in the Black River bottoms area.
Brice Prairie is an urban reserve area within the City of Onalaska, located below the ridge on which most of the city is situated. It lies to the northwest of the city's current northern border, and is directly on Lake Onalaska.
of 2000, there were 14,839 people, 5,893 households, and 4,036 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,631.6 people per square mile (630.3/km²). There were 6,070 housing units at an average density of 667.4 per square mile (257.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.17% White, 0.63% Black or African American
, 0.20% Native American, 2.80% Asian, 0.25% from other races
, and 0.95% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,893 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,800, and the median income for a family was $57,264. Males had a median income of $41,335 versus $25,316 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $24,066. About 4.5% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
schools include Onalaska High School
, Onalaska Middle School (OMS), Eagle Bluff Elementary School, Northern Hills Elementary School, and Irving Pertzsch Elementary School. Parochial schools in the city include Luther High School, a Lutheran school, and St. Patrick Elementary School, part of La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools.
The mission of Onalaska School District is to ensure that
all students of the district acquire the skills, abilities and
attitudes needed to be respectful, responsible and productive
citizens in a global society.
La Crosse Metropolitan Area
The La Crosse Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of La Crosse and Houston counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota, anchored by the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin...
.
Onalaska is built on a slightly elevated ridge above the Black River. Natural areas include river bottomland as well as high, heavily wooded, scenic bluffs
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
. A manmade reservoir at the city's western edge is known as Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska is a reservoir located on the Mississippi River between Wisconsin, and Minnesota. It is approximately across, and is the widest point on the Mississippi River. Located in La Crosse County in the state of Wisconsin, its latitude and longitude are . The lake is and is shored by the...
. Onalaska is known as "The Sunfish Capital of the World."
History
The original village (now city) was platted by Thomas G. Rowe (New York) and John C. Laird (Pennsylvania) in 1851. In its early days, lumbering and related industries served as a basis for its economy.The name Onalaska
The name for the city comes from the poem, "The Pleasures of Hope," by Scottish poet Thomas Campbell. The original spelling of the name in Campbell's poem was "Oonalaska" (an Aleutian island and fishing village).Onalaska, Wisconsin, Onalaska, Arkansas (now defunct), Onalaska, Texas
Onalaska, Texas
Onalaska is a city in Polk County, Texas, United States. Situated on the banks of Lake Livingston, the population was 1,174 at the 2000 census....
, and Onalaska, Washington
Onalaska, Washington
-Use of the name Onalaska in the United States:The name for the community comes from the poem, "The Pleasures of Hope" by Scottish poet Thomas Campbell...
are all historically linked to one another through the lumber industry. The modern day city of Unalaska, Alaska
Unalaska, Alaska
Unalaska is a city in the Aleutians West Census Area of the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. Unalaska is located on Unalaska Island and neighboring Amaknak Island in the Aleutian Islands off of mainland Alaska....
and Unalaska Island
Unalaska Island
Unalaska is an island in the Fox Islands group of the Aleutian Islands in the U.S. state of Alaska, at . The island has a land area of . The city of Unalaska, Alaska, covers part of the island and all of neighboring Amaknak Island where the Port of Dutch Harbor is located...
are linked to the Onalaskas in the lower 48 states through Thomas Campbell's poem. Unalaska, Alaska is the original Oonalaska or Onalaska or "Ounalashka" (Russian spelling) immortalized by Campbell.
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 city has a total area of 12.5 square miles (25.1 km²), of which, 9.1 square miles (23.5 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²) of it (5.99%) is water.
Onalaska lies immediately north of La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
on the Black River and is the second largest city in La Crosse County.
Named streams within the current corporate limits of the city include the Black River, the La Crosse River
La Crosse River
The La Crosse River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 50 mi long, in southwestern Wisconsin in the United States.-Course:...
, and Sand Lake Coulee Creek. In the 1930s, construction of Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska is a reservoir located on the Mississippi River between Wisconsin, and Minnesota. It is approximately across, and is the widest point on the Mississippi River. Located in La Crosse County in the state of Wisconsin, its latitude and longitude are . The lake is and is shored by the...
resulted in the flooding and eventual disappearance of a shallow, natural body of water, Rice Lake, as well as several smaller ponds in the Black River bottoms area.
Brice Prairie is an urban reserve area within the City of Onalaska, located below the ridge on which most of the city is situated. It lies to the northwest of the city's current northern border, and is directly on Lake Onalaska.
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 14,839 people, 5,893 households, and 4,036 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 1,631.6 people per square mile (630.3/km²). There were 6,070 housing units at an average density of 667.4 per square mile (257.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.17% White, 0.63% 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...
, 0.20% Native American, 2.80% Asian, 0.25% 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 0.95% from two or more races. 0.95% 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 5,893 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% 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, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,800, and the median income for a family was $57,264. Males had a median income of $41,335 versus $25,316 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 $24,066. About 4.5% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Onalaska is served by two school districts, Onalaska and Holmen. Onalaska School DistrictOnalaska School District (Onalaska, Wisconsin)
School District of Onalaska is the public school district for Onalaska, Wisconsin in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. Onalaska High School is the school district's public high school.-External links:*...
schools include Onalaska High School
Onalaska High School (Wisconsin)
Onalaska High School is the public high school in Onalaska, Wisconsin, in the Onalaska School District, in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.-Notable alumni:*Tom Gullikson, Tennis Pro*Tim Gullikson, Tennis Pro*Michael Huebsch, Wisconsin politician...
, Onalaska Middle School (OMS), Eagle Bluff Elementary School, Northern Hills Elementary School, and Irving Pertzsch Elementary School. Parochial schools in the city include Luther High School, a Lutheran school, and St. Patrick Elementary School, part of La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools.
The mission of Onalaska School District is to ensure that
all students of the district acquire the skills, abilities and
attitudes needed to be respectful, responsible and productive
citizens in a global society.
Economy
- Onalaska Omni CenterOnalaska Omni Center (Onalaska, Wisconsin)Onalaska Omni Center is a convention center and indoor sports arena in Onalaska, Wisconsin, in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. Beginning in fall of 2010, it will be home to the Coulee Region Chill of the North American Hockey League....
is Onalaska's convention center and indoor arena. The Omni Center is the second largest convention center in southwest Wisconsin, after the La Crosse CenterLa Crosse CenterThe La Crosse Center is a multi-purpose arena in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin, that was built in 1980. The arena can seat between 5,000 and 7,500 depending on the type of event it is being used for....
.
Notable people
- Biddy DolanBiddy DolanLeon Mark "Biddy" Dolan , was a Major League Baseball first baseman. He played in 32 games in for the Indianapolis Hoosiers.-External links:...
, MLB player - Tim GulliksonTim GulliksonTimothy Ernest "Tim" Gullikson was a tennis player and coach who was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the United States.In 1977, he won three tour singles titles and was named the ATP's Newcomer of the Year...
, tennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player - Tom GulliksonTom GulliksonTom Gullikson is a tennis coach and former professional tennis player from the United States.-Career:...
, tennis player - Tom NewberryTom NewberryThomas J. "Tom" Newberry is a former American football guard who played ten seasons in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams for 9 years and the Pittsburgh Steelers for 1 year. He was a starter for the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. He was a 2 time Pro Bowl and NFL All-Pro offensive...
, footballNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player - Frank PoolerFrank PoolerFrank Pooler is an award-winning American choirmaster, and former Director of Choral Studies at California State University, Long Beach.-Professional career:...
, choral director and songwriter ("Merry Christmas Darling") - William H. StevensonWilliam H. StevensonWilliam Henry Stevenson was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin for the years 1941-1949, he served as a Republican....
, U.S. Representative