River Falls, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
River Falls is a city in Pierce
and St. Croix
counties in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. The population was 15,000 at the 2010 census, making it the second largest city in the Twin Cities Wisconsin suburbs, which is the eighth largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is located mostly within the Town of River Falls
in Pierce County; only a small portion lies within the Town of Kinnickinnic
in St. Croix County. It is the most populous city in Pierce county.
River Falls is located in west-central Wisconsin and is noted for being home to the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.56 square miles (17.0 km²). 5.0 square miles (12.9 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.80%) is water.
River Falls lies on the banks of the Kinnickinnic River
, a class one trout stream. The Kinnickinnic is usually described as having two parts, 1) the upper, which begins its run approximately 10 miles north of Interstate 94
and 2) the lower, which runs through a narrow canyon west and south of town. The two sections of the stream are separated by a pair of hydroelectric dams that are operated by River Falls Public Utilities. River Falls is the largest city in Wisconsin situated on a Class 1 trout stream. In addition to the upper and lower Kinnickinnic, the South Fork of the Kinnickinnic River runs through the city, dividing the campus of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls into two sections.
and his indentured servant, Dick in the year 1848. The original village was started as the village of Kinnickinnic in 1854 by brothers Nathaniel N. and Oliver S. Powell who were from St. Lawrence County, New York. At the same time, the township and village was known also as "Greenwood," but this was changed, as another Greenwood, Wisconsin
already existed.
of 2000, there were 12,560 people, 4,269 households, and 2,335 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,524.0 people per square mile (973.8/km²). There were 4,346 housing units at an average density of 873.2 per square mile (336.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.57% White, 0.53% Black or African American
, 0.36% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races
, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.
There were 4,269 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% 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 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 35.1% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 14.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,184, and the median income for a family was $60,253. Males had a median income of $36,275 versus $27,345 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,667. About 4.4% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
is the area's public high school.
It is home to the 2005 and 2007-2011 Marching Band State Champions in AAA division.
River Falls is also home to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
, and through 2009 the site of the summer camp of the Kansas City Chiefs
.
Pierce County, Wisconsin
Pierce County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 41,019. Its county seat is Ellsworth. Pierce County is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area .-Geography:...
and St. Croix
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
St. Croix County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 84,345. Its county seat is Hudson. St. Croix County is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area . It is the fastest growing county in Wisconsin.-Geography:According to the U.S...
counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. The population was 15,000 at the 2010 census, making it the second largest city in the Twin Cities Wisconsin suburbs, which is the eighth largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is located mostly within the Town of River Falls
River Falls (town), Wisconsin
River Falls is a town in Pierce County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,304 at the 2000 census. The City of River Falls is located mostly within the town.-Geography:...
in Pierce County; only a small portion lies within the Town of Kinnickinnic
Kinnickinnic, Wisconsin
Kinnickinnic is a town in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,400 at the 2000 census. The word kinnickinnic is Ojibwe in origin...
in St. Croix County. It is the most populous city in Pierce county.
River Falls is located in west-central Wisconsin and is noted for being home to the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
Geography
River Falls is located at 44°51′31"N 92°37′30"W (44.858701, -92.625097).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 6.56 square miles (17.0 km²). 5.0 square miles (12.9 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.80%) is water.
River Falls lies on the banks of the Kinnickinnic River
Kinnickinnic River (St. Croix River)
The Kinnickinnic River, called the Kinni for short, is a 25-mile-long river in northwestern Wisconsin in the United States. It is listed as a Class I trout stream. The Kinnickinnic River arises from springs in St. Croix County and flows in a southwesterly direction before emptying into the St....
, a class one trout stream. The Kinnickinnic is usually described as having two parts, 1) the upper, which begins its run approximately 10 miles north of Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
and 2) the lower, which runs through a narrow canyon west and south of town. The two sections of the stream are separated by a pair of hydroelectric dams that are operated by River Falls Public Utilities. River Falls is the largest city in Wisconsin situated on a Class 1 trout stream. In addition to the upper and lower Kinnickinnic, the South Fork of the Kinnickinnic River runs through the city, dividing the campus of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls into two sections.
History
The city's first settlers were Joel FosterJoel Foster
Joel Foster was born the youngest of eleven at Meriden, Connecticut, December 15, 1814. He was liberally educated. He came to Edwardsville, Illinois, in 1830, and to Hudson, Wisconsin, then known as Buena Vista, in 1848...
and his indentured servant, Dick in the year 1848. The original village was started as the village of Kinnickinnic in 1854 by brothers Nathaniel N. and Oliver S. Powell who were from St. Lawrence County, New York. At the same time, the township and village was known also as "Greenwood," but this was changed, as another Greenwood, Wisconsin
Greenwood, Wisconsin
Greenwood is a city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,079 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Greenwood is located at ....
already existed.
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 12,560 people, 4,269 households, and 2,335 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 2,524.0 people per square mile (973.8/km²). There were 4,346 housing units at an average density of 873.2 per square mile (336.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.57% 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...
, 0.36% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.32% 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.
There were 4,269 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% 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, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% 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 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 35.1% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 14.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,184, and the median income for a family was $60,253. Males had a median income of $36,275 versus $27,345 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 $17,667. About 4.4% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
River Falls High SchoolRiver Falls High School
River Falls High School is a public high school located in . There are approximately 250 students in each class. The school is known for its outstanding marching band program, which has won the State Title 18 of the past 27 years. It is also known for its St...
is the area's public high school.
It is home to the 2005 and 2007-2011 Marching Band State Champions in AAA division.
River Falls is also home to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The University of Wisconsin–River Falls is a liberal arts undergraduate and graduate university and a member of the University of Wisconsin System. UW–River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin on the famed trout fishing Kinnickinnic River. The campus consists of 32 major buildings, ten of...
, and through 2009 the site of the summer camp of the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
.
Notable people
- Aldrich Hazen Ames, former C.I.A. counter-intelligence officer and analyst; convicted in 1994 of spying for the Soviet UnionSoviet UnionThe Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects... - William BerndtWilliam BerndtWilliam Berndt is a former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and Wisconsin State Senate.-Biography:Berndt was born on July 18, 1956. He graduated from River Falls High School in River Falls, Wisconsin before attending the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and the University of Minnesota...
, Wisconsin State SenateWisconsin State SenateThe Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly... - Karyn ByeKaryn ByeKaryn L. Bye is an ice hockey player. She was the alternate captain of the 1998 Winter Olympics gold-medal winning United States Women's Hockey Team. She has been a member of the US National Team since 1992...
, 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 Medal athlete - Anna DodgeAnna DodgeAnna Dodge was an American silent film actress.Anna Dodge married another silent film actor George Hernandez and was frequently credited as Anna Hernandez.-1930s:...
, actress - Sheila HarsdorfSheila HarsdorfSheila Harsdorf is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 10th District since 2001. She previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, representing District 30 from 1989 to 1999.-Early life, education and career:...
, Wisconsin State SenateWisconsin State SenateThe Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly... - Nils Pederson Haugen, (1849 - 1931) U.S. Representative from Wisconsin
- Robert P. KnowlesRobert P. KnowlesRobert P. Knowles was a Wisconsin politician.Born in River Falls, Wisconsin, Knowles graduated from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Knowles served in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1955 until 1975; his older brother was Warren P. Knowles, Governor of Wisconsin...
, Wisconsin State SenateWisconsin State SenateThe Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly... - Warren P. KnowlesWarren P. KnowlesWarren Perley Knowles , born in River Falls, Wisconsin, was an American lawyer and politician from New Richmond, Wisconsin.-Biography:...
, Governor of Wisconsin - Maria LambMaria LambMaria Lamb is an Olympic speed skater from River Falls, Wisconsin who competed in 1500m and the team pursuit at the 2006 Winter Olympics. She was also selected to compete in the 5000m for the US at the 2010 Winter Olympics.-References:* * * *...
, 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...
athlete and national champion speedskater - Doug LloydDoug LloydDoug Lloyd is a former running back in the National Football League. He was a member of the Los Angeles Raiders during the 1991 NFL season. Previously, he had been drafted in the sixth round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Raiders....
, NFL player - Landon Lueck, reality TV star and professional cyclist
- Mark NeumannMark NeumannMark W. Neumann is a businessman and politician. He represented from 1995 to 1999. In 2010, Neumann lost a bid to become the Republican nominee for Governor of Wisconsin. Neumann is currently a candidate for U.S...
, U.S. Representative - Frank NyeFrank NyeFrank Mellen Nye was a Representative from Minnesota; born in Shirley, Piscataquis County, Maine; moved to Wisconsin with his parents, who settled on a farm near River Falls, Pierce County, in 1855; attended the common schools and the local academy in River Falls; taught school for several years...
, U.S. Representative from MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state... - Francis Paul Prucha, Roman Catholic priest and educator
- Heidi "Frankie" RayderFrankie RayderFrancesca "Frankie" Rayder is an American model who appeared in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show four times and in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue twice. She has an extensive portfolio of covergirl appearances for numerous high fashion magazines and was once a VH1/Vogue Fashion...
- Missy RayderMissy RayderMelissa "Missy" Rayder is an American fashion model. She is the younger sister of model Frankie Rayder. Her career is highlighted by appearances on several leading high fashion magazines such Vogue Italia, Vogue España, and Elle France...
, American model - Dick RitgerDick RitgerDick Ritger , of River Falls, Wisconsin, was a dominating right-handed ten-pin bowler in the Professional Bowlers Association , and now runs Dick Ritger's Bowling Camp.-PBA career:...
, former professional ten-pin bowlerTen-pin bowlingTen-pin bowling is a competitive sport in which a player rolls a bowling ball down a wooden or synthetic lane with the objective of scoring points by knocking down as many pins as possible.-Summary:The lane is bordered along its length by semicylindrical channels Ten-pin bowling (commonly just...
and a renowned bowling coach; member of the PBAProfessional Bowlers AssociationThe Professional Bowlers Association is the major sanctioning body for the sport of professional ten-pin bowling in the United States. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the PBA membership consists of almost 4,300 members worldwide...
and USBCUnited States Bowling CongressThe United States Bowling Congress is a sports membership organization dedicated to ten-pin bowling in the United States. It was formed in 2005 by a merger of the American Bowling Congress, Women's International Bowling Congress, Young American Bowling Alliance, and USA Bowling...
Halls of Fame - David F. Swensen, Chief Investment Officer of the Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
endowment - Kipp ChristiansonKipp ChristiansonKipp Christianson is an American professional wrestler and former basketball player. He is currently signed to WWE, where he works in their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling and was part of the second season of NXT under his ring name Eli Cottonwood...
, WWE Superstar, competing on WWE NXTWWE NXTWWE NXT is a sports entertainment television program produced by WWE that debuted on February 23, 2010. Described as a hybrid between reality television and WWE's scripted live event shows, the premise of the show follows select talent contracted to WWE's developmental territory Florida...
as Eil Cottonwood