Lake Delton, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Lake Delton is a village located on the Wisconsin River
in Sauk County, Wisconsin
, United States
. As of the 2000 census, the village
had a total population
of 1,982, but in 2009, it had an estimated population of 3,081 which is a 55.4% increase. It also makes it the largest community in the Dells area passing the Wisconsin Dells. Lake Delton, along with the nearby Wisconsin Dells
, is a resort area and a major center for tourism
.
of the village in 1850. The Village changed its name to Delton, but changed again in 1926 to Mirror Lake to avoid a conflict with the Town of Delton
in that area. The name Lake Delton was taken after the construction of the Dell Creek dam creating a reservoir
also known as Lake Delton
. The village was incorporated in 1954.
(part of Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park) as well as the world's largest (artificial) Pink Flamingo
. From 1952 to 2006, Lake Delton was home to The Wonder Spot
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²), of which, 6.2 square miles (16.0 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²) of it (7.89%) is water.
of 2000, there were 1,982 people, 897 households, and 525 families residing in the village. The population density
was 320.3 people per square mile (123.6/km²). There were 1,373 housing units at an average density of 221.9 per square mile (85.6/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.26% White, 0.10% African American, 2.57% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.40% from other races
, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.66% of the population.
There were 897 households out of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.67.
In the village the population was spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $34,951, and the median income for a family was $40,952. Males had a median income of $31,680 versus $23,990 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $19,834. About 5.4% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
, the approximately 267 acres (1.1 km²) dammed artificial lake adjacent to the village, overflowed its banks washing away four homes and a portion of Old Newport Road (County Highway "A") while nearly emptying the lake basin into the Wisconsin River following several days of torrential rains. The overflow happened as local authorities ordered evacuations and sandbagging in a number of towns as rivers and lakes rose across the southern portion of the state.
Sandbagging of the dam (which remained intact) was begun overnight by about 100 people, but the contents of the lake began to pour into the river about mid-morning when the embankment over which the highway ran failed eventually opening a breach of several hundred feet. The lake, which averaged about 12 feet (3.7 m) in depth, drained out over a period of a few hours.
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
in Sauk County, Wisconsin
Sauk County, Wisconsin
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....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 census, the village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
had a total population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 1,982, but in 2009, it had an estimated population of 3,081 which is a 55.4% increase. It also makes it the largest community in the Dells area passing the Wisconsin Dells. Lake Delton, along with the nearby Wisconsin Dells
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...
, is a resort area and a major center for tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
.
History
The village of Lake Delton was originally named Norris for Edward Norris the surveyorCadastre
A cadastre , using a cadastral survey or cadastral map, is a comprehensive register of the metes-and-bounds real property of a country...
of the village in 1850. The Village changed its name to Delton, but changed again in 1926 to Mirror Lake to avoid a conflict with the Town of Delton
Delton, Wisconsin
Delton is a town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,024 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 30.2 square miles , of which, 29.6 square miles of it is land and 0.6 square miles of it is...
in that area. The name Lake Delton was taken after the construction of the Dell Creek dam creating a reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
also known as Lake Delton
Lake Delton
Lake Delton is a man-made freshwater lake in Sauk County in central Wisconsin. For much of 2008, it was a mostly empty lake basin after a portion of a county highway that forms part of the dike wall eroded on June 9, 2008, under the pressure of floods in the area. The resulting washout caused the...
. The village was incorporated in 1954.
Tourism
Among the attractions at Lake Delton are the world's largest Trojan HorseTrojan Horse
The Trojan Horse is a tale from the Trojan War about the stratagem that allowed the Greeks finally to enter the city of Troy and end the conflict. In the canonical version, after a fruitless 10-year siege, the Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse, and hid a select force of men inside...
(part of Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park) as well as the world's largest (artificial) Pink Flamingo
Flamingo
Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
. From 1952 to 2006, Lake Delton was home to The Wonder Spot
The Wonder Spot
The Wonder Spot was a tourist attraction located off US Route 12 in Lake Delton, Wisconsin from 1952 to 2006. A popular side trip for visitors to nearby Wisconsin Dells, the Wonder Spot was advertised as a place "where the laws of natural gravity seem to be repealed." Visitors walked down a ravine...
.
Geography
Lake Delton is located at 43°35′48"N 89°47′16"W (43.596757, -89.787646).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 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²), of which, 6.2 square miles (16.0 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²) of it (7.89%) is water.
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 1,982 people, 897 households, and 525 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 320.3 people per square mile (123.6/km²). There were 1,373 housing units at an average density of 221.9 per square mile (85.6/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.26% White, 0.10% African American, 2.57% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.40% 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 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.66% of the population.
There were 897 households out of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% 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 41.4% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.67.
In the village the population was spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $34,951, and the median income for a family was $40,952. Males had a median income of $31,680 versus $23,990 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 $19,834. About 5.4% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Lake Delton drains into the Wisconsin River
On June 9, 2008, Lake DeltonLake Delton
Lake Delton is a man-made freshwater lake in Sauk County in central Wisconsin. For much of 2008, it was a mostly empty lake basin after a portion of a county highway that forms part of the dike wall eroded on June 9, 2008, under the pressure of floods in the area. The resulting washout caused the...
, the approximately 267 acres (1.1 km²) dammed artificial lake adjacent to the village, overflowed its banks washing away four homes and a portion of Old Newport Road (County Highway "A") while nearly emptying the lake basin into the Wisconsin River following several days of torrential rains. The overflow happened as local authorities ordered evacuations and sandbagging in a number of towns as rivers and lakes rose across the southern portion of the state.
Sandbagging of the dam (which remained intact) was begun overnight by about 100 people, but the contents of the lake began to pour into the river about mid-morning when the embankment over which the highway ran failed eventually opening a breach of several hundred feet. The lake, which averaged about 12 feet (3.7 m) in depth, drained out over a period of a few hours.