Spencer, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Spencer is a village located in the northwestern part of the Town of Spencer
in Marathon County, Wisconsin
. It is part of the Wausau, Wisconsin
Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,932 at the 2000 census.
The village, which lies between two marshes (Spencer Marsh to the northwest and McMillan Marsh to the southeast) was founded in 1874 at a branch on the Wisconsin Central Railway. Today it sits at the crossroads of Wisconsin Highway 13 and 98, as well as serving as the terminus of several Marathon County trunk highways
. Spencer lies about 8 miles northwest of Marshfield
, along Highway 13.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all land.
of 2000, there were 1,932 people, 800 households, and 530 families residing in the village. The population density
was 971.6 people per square mile (374.8/km2). There were 852 housing units at an average density of 428.5 per square mile (165.3/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 99.17% White, 0.05% Black or African American
, 0.26% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.26% from other races
, and 0.21% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race, or gender.
There were 800 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the village the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $40,665, and the median income for a family was $45,268. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $17,665. About 1.9% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.
agreed to sponsor the new branch library and the first books arrived by mail from the county. When the Women’s Club organized in 1946, its first project was to obtain new quarters for the library, and the club's support for the library continues today.
In 1966, the Village took responsibility for the library by including the it in Village Hall plans, most recently in 1997 when the new village complex was completed. In 1973, the library became a branch of the newly formed Marathon County Public Library
when the Wausau Public Library and Marathon County Library merged.
Changes in the services offered at the branch library have occurred over the years with the addition of family and children’s programs, public computers, Internet services, and a larger book collection.
Spencer (town), Wisconsin
Spencer is a town in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The village of Spencer is located in the northestern part of the town. It is part of the Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in Marathon County, Wisconsin
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:...
. It is part of the 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...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,932 at the 2000 census.
The village, which lies between two marshes (Spencer Marsh to the northwest and McMillan Marsh to the southeast) was founded in 1874 at a branch on the Wisconsin Central Railway. Today it sits at the crossroads of Wisconsin Highway 13 and 98, as well as serving as the terminus of several Marathon County trunk highways
County Trunk Highways (Wisconsin)
County Trunk Highways are a system of highways maintained at the county level or below in the US state of Wisconsin. Every county maintains its own County Trunk Highway system....
. Spencer lies about 8 miles northwest of Marshfield
Marshfield, Wisconsin
Marshfield is a city in Marathon and Wood counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is the largest city in Wood County. The small portion of the city that extends into Marathon County is part of the Wausau Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 18,800 at the 2000 census. Marshfield is...
, along Highway 13.
Geography
Spencer is located at 44.756406°N 90.298178°W (44.756406, -90.298178).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 village has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all land.
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 1,932 people, 800 households, and 530 families residing in the village. 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 971.6 people per square mile (374.8/km2). There were 852 housing units at an average density of 428.5 per square mile (165.3/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 99.17% White, 0.05% 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...
, 0.26% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.26% 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 0.21% from two or more races. 0.93% 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, or gender.
There were 800 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% 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, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the village the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $40,665, and the median income for a family was $45,268. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $25,000 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 village was $17,665. About 1.9% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.
Spencer Branch Library
An item from the 1875 files of the Village of Spencer shows the purchase of "thirty books for the library," at a cost of $19.33, showing that the pioneers of Spencer understood the importance of having a library. The library in Spencer received formal recognition in 1941, when Marathon County Librarian Kay Biwer proposed that a branch library of the county be opened in Spencer. The local American LegionAmerican Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
agreed to sponsor the new branch library and the first books arrived by mail from the county. When the Women’s Club organized in 1946, its first project was to obtain new quarters for the library, and the club's support for the library continues today.
In 1966, the Village took responsibility for the library by including the it in Village Hall plans, most recently in 1997 when the new village complex was completed. In 1973, the library became a branch of the newly formed Marathon County Public Library
Marathon County Public Library
The Marathon County Public Library is a nine-library system that serves Marathon County, Wisconsin, U.S.A. This title is also often used to refer to the MCPL - Wausau Headquarters, which is located at 300 North First Street in Wausau, Wisconsin....
when the Wausau Public Library and Marathon County Library merged.
Changes in the services offered at the branch library have occurred over the years with the addition of family and children’s programs, public computers, Internet services, and a larger book collection.
Notable people
- Tyler DennettTyler DennettTyler Dennett was an American historian and educator. He is best known for his book John Hay , for which he won the 1934 Pulitzer Prize for biography....
, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author - Dave DudleyDave DudleyDave Dudley , born David Darwin Pedruska, was an American country music singer best-known for his truck-driving country anthems of the 1960s and 1970s and his semi-slurred baritone. His signature song was "Six Days on the Road," and he is also remembered for "Vietnam Blues," "Truck Drivin'...
, country singer - Ted FritschTed FritschTheodore Edward Fritsch was an American baseball, basketball, and football player who played running back for the National Football League's Green Bay Packers from 1942 to 1950. He also played two seasons for the Oshkosh All-Stars of the National Basketball League...
, fullback for the NFL 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... - Carol KolbCarol KolbCarol Kolb is an American comedy writer. She is a former managing editor and, later, editor-in-chief of The Onion and the current head writer for the Onion News Network.-External links:* , The Onion* , Charlie Rose...
, writer for The OnionThe OnionThe Onion is an American news satire organization. It is an entertainment newspaper and a website featuring satirical articles reporting on international, national, and local news, in addition to a non-satirical entertainment section known as The A.V. Club...