Sauk County, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Sauk County is a county
in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. As of 2000, the population was 55,225. Its county seat
and largest city is Baraboo
. Sauk County is included in the Baraboo Micropolitan Statistical Area and in the Madison Combined Statistical Area.
, the county has a total area of 848 square miles (2,196.3 km²), of which 838 square miles (2,170.4 km²) is land and 11 square miles (28.5 km²) (1.27%) is water. Pewits Nest
is located in Sauk County. Sauk Point is the county's highest point. The summit is nestled in the Baraboo bluffs and stands to 1,593 above sea level.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 55,225 people, 21,644 households, and 14,869 families residing in the county. The population density
was 66 people per square mile (25/km²). There were 24,297 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.37% White
, 0.26% Black
or African American
, 0.87% Native American
, 0.26% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.59% from other races
, and 0.64% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 50.7% were of German, 8.5% Irish
, 6.5% Norwegian, 6.2% American
and 5.9% English
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.5% spoke English
, 1.9% Spanish
and 1.4% German
as their first language. There were 21,644 households out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples
living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
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...
. As of 2000, the population was 55,225. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
and largest city is Baraboo
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Baraboo is the largest city in, and the county seat of Sauk County, Wisconsin, USA. It is situated on the Baraboo River. Its 2010 population was 12,048 according to the US Census Bureau...
. Sauk County is included in the Baraboo Micropolitan Statistical Area and in the Madison Combined Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. 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 county has a total area of 848 square miles (2,196.3 km²), of which 838 square miles (2,170.4 km²) is land and 11 square miles (28.5 km²) (1.27%) is water. Pewits Nest
Pewits Nest
Pewits Nest State Natural Area is a nature reserve of Wisconsin, USA, that includes a deep gorge formed during the retreat of the last glacier. Pewits Nest is outside of Baraboo in Sauk County...
is located in Sauk County. Sauk Point is the county's highest point. The summit is nestled in the Baraboo bluffs and stands to 1,593 above sea level.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 12
U.S. Highway 14
Adjacent counties
- Juneau CountyJuneau County, WisconsinJuneau County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the population was 24,316. Its county seat is Mauston. It should not, however, be confused with the city of Juneau, Wisconsin, to which it has no connection.-Geography:...
- north - Adams CountyAdams County, WisconsinAdams County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Sources differ as to whether its name is in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams, or his son, the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. As of 2000, the population of Adams County was 18,643. Its county seat is...
- northeast - Columbia CountyColumbia County, Wisconsin-Unincorporated communities:*Anacker*Belle Fountain*Durwards Glen*East Friesland*Harmony Grove*Ingle*Keyeser*Lake Wisconsin*Leeds*Lowville*Marcellon*North Leeds*Okee*Otsego-External links:***...
- east - Dane CountyDane County, WisconsinAs of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
- southeast - Iowa CountyIowa County, WisconsinIowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 22,780. Its county seat and largest city is Dodgeville.Iowa County is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:According to the U.S...
- south - Richland County - west
- Vernon CountyVernon County, WisconsinVernon County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 29,324. Its county seat is Viroqua.-History:...
- northwest
Demographics
As of the 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...
of 2000, there were 55,225 people, 21,644 households, and 14,869 families residing in the county. 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 66 people per square mile (25/km²). There were 24,297 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.37% White
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...
, 0.26% Black
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...
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...
, 0.87% Native 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...
, 0.26% Asian
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...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
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...
, 0.59% 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 0.64% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race. 50.7% were of German, 8.5% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 6.5% Norwegian, 6.2% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 5.9% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.5% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, 1.9% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and 1.4% German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
as their first language. There were 21,644 households out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% 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, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.
Communities
Three cities, fourteen villages, and twenty-two towns are located in Sauk County.Cities
|
Reedsburg, Wisconsin Reedsburg is a city in Sauk County, Wisconsin, along the Baraboo River. The population was 10,014 at the 2010 census. The city is in the Town of Reedsburg, but is politically independent... |
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Wisconsin Dells is a city in south-central Wisconsin, with a population of 2,418 as of the 2000 census. It straddles four counties: Adams, Columbia, Juneau, and Sauk. The city takes its name from the dells of the Wisconsin River, a scenic, glacially formed gorge that features striking sandstone... |
Villages
|
Loganville, Wisconsin Loganville is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 276 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Loganville is located at .... Merrimac, Wisconsin Merrimac is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States northwest of Madison. The population was 416 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Merrimac.... North Freedom, Wisconsin North Freedom is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Baraboo River. The population was 649 at the 2000 census.-Geography:North Freedom is located at .... Plain, Wisconsin Plain is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 792 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Plain is located at .... Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin Prairie du Sac is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,231 at the 2000 census. The village is surrounded by the Town of Prairie du Sac, the Wisconsin River, and the village of Sauk City; together, Prairie du Sac and Sauk City are referred to as Sauk... |
Rock Springs, Wisconsin Rock Springs is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Baraboo River. The population was 425 at the 2000 census.-History:... Sauk City, Wisconsin Sauk City is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,109 at the 2000 census. The first incorporated village in the state, the community was founded by Agoston Haraszthy and his business partner, Robert Bryant... Spring Green, Wisconsin Spring Green is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,444 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Spring Green.-Geography:Spring Green is located at .... West Baraboo, Wisconsin West Baraboo is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, along the Baraboo River. The population was 1,248 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baraboo micropolitan statistical area.-Geography:West Baraboo is located at .... |
Towns
|
Greenfield, Sauk County, Wisconsin Greenfield is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 911 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 29.7 square miles , all of it land.... Ironton (town), Wisconsin Ironton is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 650 at the 2000 census. The Village of Ironton is located within the town.-Geography:... La Valle (town), Wisconsin La Valle is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,203 at the 2000 census. The Village of La Valle is located within the town.-Geography:... Merrimac (town), Wisconsin Merrimac is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 868 at the 2000 census. The Village of Merrimac is located within the town... Prairie du Sac (town), Wisconsin Prairie du Sac is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,138 at the 2000 census. The Village of Prairie du Sac is located within the town... Reedsburg (town), Wisconsin Reedsburg is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,236 at the 2000 census. The City of Reedsburg is located within the town, though it is politically independent.-Geography:... |
Spring Green (town), Wisconsin Spring Green is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,585 at the 2000 census. The Village of Spring Green is located within the town.-Geography:... Sumpter, Wisconsin Sumpter is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Bluffview is located in the town.-History :... Troy, Sauk County, Wisconsin Troy is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 773 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Cassell is located in the town.-Geography:... Washington, Sauk County, Wisconsin Washington is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 904 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Hill Point and Sandusky are located in the town.-Geography:... Westfield, Sauk County, Wisconsin Westfield is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 611 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.8 square miles , of which, 35.8 square miles of it is land and 0.03% is... Winfield, Wisconsin Winfield is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 752 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.5 square miles , of which, 35.4 square miles of it is land and 0.03% is... Woodland, Wisconsin Woodland is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 783 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Valton is located in the town.-Erroneous Birthplace of Addie Joss:... |
Unincorporated communities
- BluffviewBluffview, WisconsinBluffview is an unincorporated census-designated place located in the town of Sumpter in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 742. Bluffview has an area of ; of this is land, and is water.-Notes:...
- CassellCassell, WisconsinCassell is an unincorporated community located in the town of Troy, Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States....
- DellwoodDellwood, Sauk County, WisconsinDellwood is an unincorporated community in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. Dellwood is located on Wisconsin Highway 23 southwest of Lake Delton, in the town of Dellona....
- DenzerDenzer, WisconsinDenzer is an unincorporated community in the town of Honey Creek, Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. Denzer is located on County Highway C east of Natural Bridge State Park, west-northwest of Prairie du Sac....
- Hill PointHill Point, WisconsinHill Point, also known as Hillpoint, is an unincorporated community in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. Hill Point is located on Wisconsin Highway 154 west of Loganville, in the town of Washington. Hill Point has a post office with ZIP code 53937....
- La RueLa Rue, WisconsinLa Rue is a small unincorporated community in the town of Freedom, in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located on a spur line of the former Chicago and North Western Railway. Heritage railway excursions from the Mid-Continent Railway Museum, in North Freedom, Wisconsin, go through La...
- LelandLeland, WisconsinLeland is an unincorporated community in the town of Honey Creek, Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. Leland is located on County Highway C south of Natural Bridge State Park, west-northwest of Prairie du Sac....
- Loddes MillLoddes Mill, WisconsinLoddes Mill is an unincorporated community located in the town of Prairie du Sac, Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States....
- LoretaLoreta, WisconsinLoreta is an unincorporated community in the town of Bear Creek, Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States....
- Moon ValleyMoon Valley, WisconsinMoon Valley is an unincorporated community located in the town of Merrimac, Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States....
- SanduskySandusky, WisconsinSandusky is an unincorporated community located in the town of Washington, Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States....
- ValtonValton, WisconsinValton is an unincorporated community located in the town of Woodland, in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States.-Notes:...
See also
- Badger Army Ammunition PlantBadger Army Ammunition PlantThe Badger Army Ammunition Plant or Badger Ordnance Works is an excess, non-BRAC, United States Army facility located near Baraboo, Wisconsin. Badger consists of 7,354 acres of land. It manufactured nitrocellulose-based propellants during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Sauk County, Wisconsin
- Sauk Prairie, WisconsinSauk Prairie, WisconsinSauk Prairie is the nickname for the twin villages of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, located on the west bank of the Wisconsin River in southeastern Sauk County, Wisconsin, approximately 13 miles south of Baraboo, and 18 miles northwest of metropolitan Madison, where U.S. Highway 12 crosses the...
- A Sand County AlmanacA Sand County AlmanacA Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There is a 1949 non-fiction book by American ecologist, forester, and environmentalist Aldo Leopold. Describing the land around the author's home in Sauk County, Wisconsin, the collection of essays advocate Leopold's idea of a "land ethic", or a...
Further reading
- Local Histories of Dane, Portage, Wood, and Sauk Counties, six local histories:
- -----. A Standard History of Sauk County, Wisconsin. 2 vols. 1918.
- Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography ... of Columbia, Sauk and Adams counties, Wisconsin...