Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Sheboygan Falls is a city in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
, United States
whose population was 6,772 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
between its confluences with the Mullet
and Onion
Rivers.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.8 km²), of which, 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (1.92%) is water.
of 2000, there were 6,772 people, 2,745 households, and 1,869 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,658.3 people per square mile (640.9/km²). There were 2,826 housing units at an average density of 692.0 per square mile (267.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.05% White, 0.34% Black or African American
, 0.31% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.30% from other races
, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,745 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples
living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,205, and the median income for a family was $55,668. Males had a median income of $40,006 versus $25,293 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $22,456. About 2.6% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.
, located less than five miles east of Sheboygan Falls, is the primary north-south transportation route into the area. Highway 28 is another primary east-west route into the city, and forms part of the south edge of the city. Highway 32 is the primary north-south route into the city, and it routes through downtown Sheboygan Falls. Secondary county highways include Counties PP to the east and C to the west.
, which is located several miles from the city.
snakes through Sheboygan Falls. Rapids and the dam, which once supplied hydroelectric energy, prohibit most water transportation through the city.
line, but saw use primarily as a freight line served by the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company, and later, Union Pacific
. In 2006, citing low demand and degraded infrastructure, Union Pacific announced plans to abandon the line west of the Kohler Company
factory in Kohler
, thus terminating all service to Sheboygan Falls. In May 2009, the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation
finalized the purchase of the Plymouth-Sheboygan Falls portion of the line from Union Pacific, with the intent of repairing the long dormant line to allow the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad to provide restored service to Sheboygan Falls.
The track through downtown Sheboygan Falls has been of interest to railfan
s because of a number of interesting features, including an iron trestle over the Sheboygan River, a small section of street running
where the line runs at grade along city streets, and antiquated "wig-wag"
signals at several crossings. Many of these features have been threatened because of the Union Pacific's abandonment of the line; the trestle has been barricaded and parts of the tracks leading to it have been removed, and plans to restore the line for the resumption of service may require the replacement of the wig-wag signals, which do not conform to current safety requirements.
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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
whose population was 6,772 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
-Airport:Sheboygan is served by the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, which is located several miles from the city.-Roads:Interstate 43 is the primary north-south transportation route into Sheboygan, and forms the west boundary of the city. U.S...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Sheboygan Falls is located at 43°43′49"N 87°49′15"W (43.730444, -87.821078), along the Sheboygan RiverSheboygan River
The Sheboygan River is a river flowing to Lake Michigan in eastern Wisconsin in the United States. It is about long and enters the lake at the city of Sheboygan.-Course:...
between its confluences with the Mullet
Mullet River
The Mullet River is a tributary of the Sheboygan River, 40 miles long, in eastern Wisconsin in the United States. Via the Sheboygan, it is part of the watershed of Lake Michigan, draining an area of 88 square miles in a primarily agricultural area of the Eastern Ridges and Lowlands region of...
and Onion
Onion River (Sheboygan River)
The Onion River is a tributary of the Sheboygan River, 28 mi long, in eastern Wisconsin in the United States. Via the Sheboygan, it is part of the watershed of Lake Michigan.-Course:The Onion River flows for its entire length in Sheboygan County...
Rivers.
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 4.2 square miles (10.8 km²), of which, 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (1.92%) 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 6,772 people, 2,745 households, and 1,869 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 1,658.3 people per square mile (640.9/km²). There were 2,826 housing units at an average density of 692.0 per square mile (267.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.05% White, 0.34% 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...
, 0.31% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.30% 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 0.71% from two or more races. 0.86% 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.
There were 2,745 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% 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, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,205, and the median income for a family was $55,668. Males had a median income of $40,006 versus $25,293 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 $22,456. About 2.6% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.
Roads
Four lane Highway 23 is the primary east-west route into the city. It lies just north of the city. Interstate 43Interstate 43
Interstate 43 is a intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the U.S. state of Wisconsin, connecting Interstate 39 and Interstate 90 in Beloit with Milwaukee and U.S. Route 41 and U.S. Route 141 in Green Bay. I-43 is the 5th longest intrastate Interstate Highway of the Interstate...
, located less than five miles east of Sheboygan Falls, is the primary north-south transportation route into the area. Highway 28 is another primary east-west route into the city, and forms part of the south edge of the city. Highway 32 is the primary north-south route into the city, and it routes through downtown Sheboygan Falls. Secondary county highways include Counties PP to the east and C to the west.
Airport
Sheboygan is served by the Sheboygan County Memorial AirportSheboygan County Memorial Airport
Sheboygan County Memorial Airport is a public, non-towered airport located in the Town of Sheboygan Falls in Sheboygan County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, three miles northwest of Sheboygan...
, which is located several miles from the city.
Water
The Sheboygan RiverSheboygan River
The Sheboygan River is a river flowing to Lake Michigan in eastern Wisconsin in the United States. It is about long and enters the lake at the city of Sheboygan.-Course:...
snakes through Sheboygan Falls. Rapids and the dam, which once supplied hydroelectric energy, prohibit most water transportation through the city.
Rail
A single-track railway spur between Plymouth and Sheboygan runs through the city. The track was originally built for use as an interurbanInterurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
line, but saw use primarily as a freight line served by the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company, and later, Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
. In 2006, citing low demand and degraded infrastructure, Union Pacific announced plans to abandon the line west of the Kohler Company
Kohler Company
'The Kohler Company is a manufacturing company in Kohler, Wisconsin best known for its plumbing products. Kohler also manufactures furniture, cabinetry, tile, engines, and generators.-History:...
factory in Kohler
Kohler, Wisconsin
Kohler is a village in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Sheboygan River. The population was 1,926 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, thus terminating all service to Sheboygan Falls. In May 2009, the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, abbreviated as WisDOT, is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of Wisconsin responsible for planning, building and maintaining the state's highways...
finalized the purchase of the Plymouth-Sheboygan Falls portion of the line from Union Pacific, with the intent of repairing the long dormant line to allow the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad to provide restored service to Sheboygan Falls.
The track through downtown Sheboygan Falls has been of interest to railfan
Railfan
A railfan or rail buff , railway enthusiast or railway buff , or trainspotter , is a person interested in a recreational capacity in rail transport...
s because of a number of interesting features, including an iron trestle over the Sheboygan River, a small section of street running
Street running
On-street running or street running is when a railroad track or tramway track runs directly along city streets, without any separation. The rails are embedded in the road....
where the line runs at grade along city streets, and antiquated "wig-wag"
Wigwag (railroad)
Wigwag is the nickname given to a type of railroad grade crossing signal once common in North America, named for the pendulum-like motion it used to signal the approach of a train...
signals at several crossings. Many of these features have been threatened because of the Union Pacific's abandonment of the line; the trestle has been barricaded and parts of the tracks leading to it have been removed, and plans to restore the line for the resumption of service may require the replacement of the wig-wag signals, which do not conform to current safety requirements.
Notable businesses
- Sheboygan Falls is home to Richardson's Lumber, who makes wooden furniture and yacht interiors.
- Bemis Manufacturing CompanyBemis Manufacturing CompanyThe Bemis Manufacturing Company is based in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin and is best known for its toilet seat products. Bemis also manufactures suction canisters, sharps containers, gas caps, gauges, fluid management systems, and various contracted plastic parts from extrusion and injection molding...
is the world's largest toilet seatToilet seatA toilet seat is a hinged unit consisting of seat and lid which is bolted onto a toilet bowl for a flush toilet. A toilet seat consists of the seat itself, which may be contoured for the user to sit on, and the lid, which covers the toilet when it is not in use.If the toilet is located in a home...
manufacturer. - Johnsonville FoodsJohnsonville FoodsJohnsonville Sausage is a Wisconsin-based sausage producer, founded in 1945 by Ralph F. & Alice Stayer. Johnsonville Sausage produces various varieties of sausage including fresh bratwurst, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links...
is a sausage company located near unincorporated JohnsonvilleJohnsonville, WisconsinJohnsonville is an unincorporated community in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, in the town of Sheboygan Falls, United States. It is a rural farm community known for being the headquarters of the Johnsonville Foods, the company that produces Johnsonville sausages....
, with a Sheboygan Falls address.
Notable residents
- George H. BricknerGeorge H. BricknerGeorge H. Brickner was a German-born American Democratic politician.He was born in Ansbach, Bavaria, in what is now Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1840 with his parents, settling in Seneca County, Ohio. He attended the public schools. He moved to Cascade, Wisconsin in 1855. ...
, U.S. Representative - Marsena E. CuttsMarsena E. CuttsMarsena Edgar Cutts was a nineteenth century politician, lawyer and teacher from Iowa.Born in Orwell, Vermont, Cutts attended common schools in his native village and later attended St. Lawrence Academy in Potsdam, New York. He moved to Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin in 1853 where he taught school for...
, politician - Rick MajerusRick MajerusRick Majerus is an American college basketball coach, and the men's basketball head coach at Saint Louis University. He coached previously at Marquette University , Ball State University , and the University of Utah .-Biography:Majerus graduated from Marquette University High School in 1966 and...
, NBA assistant coach, head coach of the Saint Louis Billikens men's basketballSaint Louis Billikens men's basketballThe Saint Louis University Billiken's men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Saint Louis University. The school competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Rick Majerus is the current head coach. Chaifetz Arena is home to the Billikens. The Billikens have...
team - Louis H. PrangeLouis H. Prange-Career:Prange was a member of the Senate from 1953 until his death. He was a Republican....
, Wisconsin State Senator - Alfred VerhulstAlfred VerhulstAlfred Verhulst was a Brigadier General in the United States Air Force.-Biography:Verhulst was born in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin in 1921. He died on December 23, 1975.-Career:...
, U.S. Air Force general - Charles H. WeisseCharles H. WeisseCharles Herman Weisse was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.Born near Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, Weisse attended the public schools and St...
, U.S. Representative. - Weldon WyckoffWeldon WyckoffJohn Weldon Wyckoff was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox . Wyckoff batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania...
, MLB player
Annual events
- Ducktona 500 - Antique car show and 3,000 plastic ducks race down the Sheboygan River for cash prizes.
Civic Organizations
- Sheboygan Falls Kiwanis Club
- Sheboygan Falls Lions Club
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County
- Sheboygan Falls American Legion Post 149
- Workbound, Inc.