Chippewa County, Wisconsin

Chippewa County, Wisconsin
Location in the state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location in the U.S.
Founded	February 3, 1845, separated from Crawford Co.
Named for	Ojibwa
Seat	Chippewa Falls
Largest city	Chippewa Falls
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,041 sq mi (2,697 km²) 1,010 sq mi (2,617 km²) 31 sq mi (80 km²), 2.97%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	55,195 55/sq mi (21/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	www.co.chippewa.wi.us/

Chippewa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2011, the population estimate was 62,778. Its county seat is Chippewa Falls. The United States Census Bureau's Eau Claire Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Chippewa County (as well as Eau Claire County to the south). Together with the Menomonie Micropolitan Statistical Area (which includes all of Dunn County) to the west, the Eau Claire metropolitan area, forms the Census Bureau's Eau Claire-Menomonie Combined Statistical Area, which had a consolidated 2011 population of 206,628.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,041 square miles (2,696.2 km²), of which 1,010 square miles (2,615.9 km²) is land and 31 square miles (80.3 km²) (2.97%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Rusk County – north
• Taylor County – east
• Clark County – southeast
• Eau Claire County – south
• Dunn County – west
• Barron County – northwest

Major highways

U.S. Highway 12 U.S. Highway 53 Highway 29 (Wisconsin) Highway 40 (Wisconsin)

Highway 64 (Wisconsin) Highway 27 (Wisconsin) Highway 124 (Wisconsin) Highway 178 (Wisconsin)

Demographics

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Chippewa County.

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1900	33,037		—
1910	32,103		−2.8%
1920	36,482		13.6%
1930	37,342		2.4%
1940	40,703		9.0%
1950	42,839		5.2%
1960	45,096		5.3%
1970	47,717		5.8%
1980	52,127		9.2%
1990	52,360		0.4%
2000	55,195		5.4%
2010	62,415		13.1%
WI Counties 1900-1990

As of the census of 2000, there were 55,195 people, 21,356 households, and 15,013 families residing in the county. The population density was 55 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 22,821 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.85% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 44.1% were of German, 15.8% Norwegian and 5.8% Irish ancestry.

There were 21,356 households out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

Cities, villages, and towns

A farm in Chippewa county

Cities Bloomer Chippewa Falls* Cornell Eau Claire* (part) Stanley (part)		Villages Boyd Cadott Lake Hallie* New Auburn (part)
Towns
Anson* Arthur Auburn Birch Creek	Bloomer Cleveland Colburn Cooks Valley	Delmar Eagle Point* Edson Estella	Goetz Hallie* Howard Lafayette*	Lake Holcombe Ruby Sampson Sigel	Tilden* Wheaton* Woodmohr
* indicates a municipality considered part of the Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls metropolitan area.

Unincorporated communities

• Albertville
• Anson
• Arnold
• Bateman
• Brownville
• Cobban
• Colburn
• Crescent
• Drywood
• Eagle Point
• Eagleton
• Edson
• Holcombe
• Howard
• Huron
• Jim Falls*
• Lake Wissota*
• Maple Hill
• Old Albertville
• Pine Grove
• Ruby
• Tilden

Economy

The largest employers in Chippewa County are:

1	TTM Advanced Circuits
2	Chippewa Falls Public Schools
3	Saint Joseph's Hospital
4	Wisconsin Department of Corrections
5	Wal-Mart
6	Mason Companies Inc
7	Chippewa County
8	Mayo Health System
9	Silicon Graphics International
10	Cooperative Educational Service Agency #10

Historical Collections

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Special Collections and Archives

UWEC's Special Collections and Archives, located on the fifth floor of McIntyre Library, houses an extensive collection of public records, books and collections relating Chippewa County. In addition to vital records (birth and marriage) dating to 1907, there are also naturalization records, census records, and civil and circuit court records. These resources are very popular with local genealogists.

Within the local history collection, there are books about immigration to the region, logging, church and cemetery records, reminiscences by local residents, and a number of histories and biographies compiled by local historians.

Special Collections and Archives also houses numerous archives files which relate to Chippewa County. There are many collections which pertain to logging, the railway industry and agriculture.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Chippewa County, Wisconsin

External links

• Official Chippewa County Government Website
• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Special Collections and Archives
• Chippewa at the Open Directory Project