Waupun, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Waupun is a city in Dodge
and Fond du Lac
Counties in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. The population was 10,718 at the 2000 census. In Fond du Lac County, there is also the Town of Waupun
which abuts the city of Waupun.
Waupun also has the most outdoor public sculpture per capita of any city in North America. This includes the world famous "End of the Trail" statue, The Dawn of Day, the Who Sows Believes in God, the Pioneers, and The Recording Angel among others. These statues are in Waupun because of the donation of Clarence Addison Shaler. Mr. Shaler is buried by his wife in Waupun's Forest Mound Cemetery.
Waupun was founded in 1839 by Seymour Wilcox, the first settler along the Rock River in what was then deciduous forested land. The Territorial Census in 1847 showed Waupun Township to have a population of 956. In 1851, the city was chosen for the State Penitentiary, owing to the abundance of limestone for construction. The main building, constructed in 1854, is still in use. The population in 1940 was 6,725.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), all land.
The relief of the city is moderate, ranging from 870 feet (265.2 m) at the Rock River, to its highest elevation of 941 feet (286.8 m) above sea level.
Waupun lies near the edge of the Horicon Marsh
, the largest cattail marsh in the United States, and is the principal access point to wildlife viewing for the Horicon Wildlife Refuges.
The Fond du Lac County Park, on the edge of Waupun, has preserved a remnant stand of old-growth southern mesic forest, which once covered over 3 million acres (12,140.6 km²) of Southern Wisconsin.
of 2000, there were 10,718 people, 3,351 households, and 2,228 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,906.3 people per square mile (1,121.5/km²). There were 3,512 housing units at an average density of 952.3 per square mile (367.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.06% White, 11.81% African American, 0.91% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races
, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.84% of the population.
There were 3,351 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 150.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 161.2 males.
The median in the city was $40,597, and the median income for a family was $50,820. Males had a median income of $34,795 versus $23,517 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,947. About 4.4% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
(Note: The above statistics may not accurately reflect the civilian population, as the census includes 2,741 incarcerated males (2008) in Waupun's state correctional institutions.)
, John C. Burke Correctional Center, and Waupun Correctional Institution
are located in Waupun.
Dodge County, Wisconsin
Dodge County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 88,759. Its county seat is Juneau.-Geography:According to the U.S...
and Fond du Lac
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 97,296. Its county seat is Fond du Lac. The United States Census Bureau's Fond du Lac Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Fond du Lac County. The county name is French for "bottom of the...
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...
. The population was 10,718 at the 2000 census. In Fond du Lac County, there is also the Town of Waupun
Waupun (town), Wisconsin
Waupun is a town in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,385 at the 2000 census. The town abuts the city of Waupun...
which abuts the city of Waupun.
Waupun also has the most outdoor public sculpture per capita of any city in North America. This includes the world famous "End of the Trail" statue, The Dawn of Day, the Who Sows Believes in God, the Pioneers, and The Recording Angel among others. These statues are in Waupun because of the donation of Clarence Addison Shaler. Mr. Shaler is buried by his wife in Waupun's Forest Mound Cemetery.
History
Waupun comes for the Indian name of "Waubun" which means "dawn of day." In fact Waupun was originally supposed to be named "Waubun" but the State of Wisconsin made a spelling error, and Waupun never bothered to change it.Waupun was founded in 1839 by Seymour Wilcox, the first settler along the Rock River in what was then deciduous forested land. The Territorial Census in 1847 showed Waupun Township to have a population of 956. In 1851, the city was chosen for the State Penitentiary, owing to the abundance of limestone for construction. The main building, constructed in 1854, is still in use. The population in 1940 was 6,725.
Geography
Waupun is located at 43°37′54"N 88°44′9"W (43.631577, -88.735835).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 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), all land.
The relief of the city is moderate, ranging from 870 feet (265.2 m) at the Rock River, to its highest elevation of 941 feet (286.8 m) above sea level.
Waupun lies near the edge of the Horicon Marsh
Horicon Marsh
Horicon Marsh is a marsh located in northern Dodge and southern Fond du Lac counties of Wisconsin. It is the site of both a national and state wildlife refuge. The extinct glacial lake is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States....
, the largest cattail marsh in the United States, and is the principal access point to wildlife viewing for the Horicon Wildlife Refuges.
The Fond du Lac County Park, on the edge of Waupun, has preserved a remnant stand of old-growth southern mesic forest, which once covered over 3 million acres (12,140.6 km²) of Southern Wisconsin.
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 10,718 people, 3,351 households, and 2,228 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 2,906.3 people per square mile (1,121.5/km²). There were 3,512 housing units at an average density of 952.3 per square mile (367.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.06% White, 11.81% African American, 0.91% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.51% 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 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.84% of the population.
There were 3,351 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% 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, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 150.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 161.2 males.
The median in the city was $40,597, and the median income for a family was $50,820. Males had a median income of $34,795 versus $23,517 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 $16,947. About 4.4% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
(Note: The above statistics may not accurately reflect the civilian population, as the census includes 2,741 incarcerated males (2008) in Waupun's state correctional institutions.)
Notable people
- Oliver Smith (designer)Oliver Smith (designer)Oliver Smith was an American scenic designer.Born in Waupun, Wisconsin, Smith attended Penn State, after which he moved to New York City and began to form friendships that blossomed into working relationships with such talents as Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Carson McCullers, and Agnes de...
, ten-times Tony Award winner for stage design - Henry Waldo CoeHenry Waldo CoeHenry Waldo Coe was a United States frontier physician and politician.Coe was born in Waupun, Wisconsin, to Dr. Samuel Buel Coe and his wife Mary Jane...
, frontier physician and politician - Glenn Robert DavisGlenn Robert DavisGlenn Robert Davis was a member of the United States House of Representatives for Wisconsin's Second Congressional District from April 22, 1947 to January 3, 1957, and Wisconsin's Ninth Congressional District from January 3, 1965 to December 31, 1974.-Early life and education:Davis was born on a...
, U.S. Representative - Fred H. HildebrandtFred H. HildebrandtFred Herman Hildebrandt was a member of the United States House of Representatives from South Dakota, serving three consecutive terms...
, U.S. Representative from South DakotaSouth DakotaSouth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over... - Magdalen RedmanMagdalen RedmanMagdalen Redman [״Mamie״] is a former catcher and utility infielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
, All-American Girls Professional Baseball LeagueAll-American Girls Professional Baseball LeagueThe All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. During the league's history, over 600 women played ball.-History:...
player - Yasmin FarooqYasmin FarooqYasmin Farooq is an American rowing cox. She finished 4th in the women's eight at the 1996 Summer Olympics.- External links :* at sports-reference.com* Photo...
, 1996 Olympian (Rowing cox) - Orville W. MosherOrville W. MosherOrville W. Mosher was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate.-Biography:Mosher was born on November 8, 1853 near Waupun, Wisconsin. He graduated from Ripon College.-Career:...
, Wisconsin State Senator
Correctional institutions
Waupun is also known as "The Prison City." The Dodge Correctional InstitutionDodge Correctional Institution
Dodge Correctional Institution, , is an adult male maximum-security correctional facility operated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Division of Adult Institutions in Waupun, Wisconsin...
, John C. Burke Correctional Center, and Waupun Correctional Institution
Waupun Correctional Institution
The Waupun Correctional Institution is a maximum security penitentiary near the center of Waupun, Wisconsin. The prison is currently under the command of Warden William Pollard.-History:...
are located in Waupun.