Colby, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Colby is a city in Clark and Marathon
counties in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. It is part of the Wausau, Wisconsin
Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,616 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Colby, though it is politically independent.
. There is a historical marker downtown commemorating the development of Colby cheese by Joseph Steinwand in the 1880s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.8 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 1,616 people, 623 households, and 423 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,090.1 people per square mile (421.6/km²). There were 645 housing units at an average density of 435.1 per square mile (168.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.53% White, 0.19% Black or African American
, 0.37% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 1.73% from other races
, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.84% of the population.
There were 623 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.
for the city was $16,137. About 3.7% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.
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:...
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...
. 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 1,616 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Colby, though it is politically independent.
History
The city of Colby took its name from the railway station on the Wisconsin Central Railway, which had been built through that country a short time before, and the station was named for Gardner L. Colby, father of Charles L. Colby, who was so long identified with the railway. Colby is the birthplace of Colby cheeseColby cheese
-History:Joseph F. Steinwand in 1874 developed a new type of cheese at his father's cheese factory near Colby, Wisconsin. The cheese was named after the village, which had been founded three years earlier....
. There is a historical marker downtown commemorating the development of Colby cheese by Joseph Steinwand in the 1880s.
Geography
Colby is located at 44°54′36"N 90°19′1"W (44.910186, -90.317058).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 1.5 square miles (3.8 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 1,616 people, 623 households, and 423 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 1,090.1 people per square mile (421.6/km²). There were 645 housing units at an average density of 435.1 per square mile (168.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.53% White, 0.19% 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...
, 0.37% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 1.73% 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 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.84% of the population.
There were 623 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% 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, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.
Economy
The median income for a household in the city was $34,318, and the median income for a family was $41,685. Males had a median income of $30,530 versus $21,806 for females. The per capita incomePer 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 $16,137. About 3.7% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives and residents
- Kirk BaumgartnerKirk BaumgartnerKirk Baumgartner is an American football player. He is the fourth son to James and Patricia Baumgartner. He joined brothers Brian, Brad, and Kevin. Another son, Keith, was born later...
, NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate AthleticsThe National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
college football All-American at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointUniversity of Wisconsin-Stevens PointThe University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is a public university located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin... - George Washington BlanchardGeorge Washington BlanchardGeorge Washington Blanchard was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1933 to 1935. He was a Republican and had been a member of the Wisconsin State Senate.-External links:----...
, U.S. Representative