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Crawford County, Wisconsin

Coordinates: 43°14′N 90°56′W / 43.23°N 90.93°W / 43.23; -90.93
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Crawford County
County
Crawford County Courthouse
Crawford County Courthouse
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Crawford County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°14′N 90°56′W / 43.23°N 90.93°W / 43.23; -90.93
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1818
Named forWilliam H. Crawford
SeatPrairie du Chien
Largest cityPrairie du Chien
Area
 • Total
599 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Land571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water29 sq mi (80 km2)  4.8%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
16,113
 • Estimate 
(2023)
15,944 Decrease
 • Density28.2/sq mi (10.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.crawfordcountywi.org

Crawford County is a county in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,113.[1] Its county seat is Prairie du Chien.[2]

History

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Along with Brown County, Crawford County is one of Wisconsin's original counties, established by the Michigan Territorial legislature in 1818, and named after William H. Crawford,[3] James Monroe's Treasurer at the time. It originally covered the western half of Wisconsin's present area. In 1836, it was transferred to the newly formed Wisconsin Territory as Michigan prepared for statehood and has gradually been subdivided into its present area.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 599 square miles (1,550 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (4.8%) is water.[4] The county's highest point is near St. James Church in Rising Sun.[5]

Three rivers run through the county: The Kickapoo River, nicknamed "the crookedest river in Wisconsin" was carved out by glacial run-off. It is considered one of the best Class 1 paddling rivers in the Midwest.

  • The Wisconsin River borders the county's southern edge. Although it is the state's busiest river, its run within the county is tranquil, with high bluff escarpments and sandy islands.
  • The Mississippi River, serves as the county's western border. The steep limestone cliffs are interspersed with bluffs and prairies.

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,502—
18502,49866.3%
18608,068223.0%
187013,07562.1%
188015,64419.6%
189015,9872.2%
190017,2868.1%
191016,288−5.8%
192016,7723.0%
193016,7810.1%
194018,3289.2%
195017,652−3.7%
196016,351−7.4%
197015,252−6.7%
198016,5568.5%
199015,940−3.7%
200017,2438.2%
201016,644−3.5%
202016,113−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the census of 2020,[1] the population was 16,113. The population density was 28.2 people per square mile (10.9 people/km2). There were 8,658 housing units at an average density of 15.2 units per square mile (5.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2020 American Community Survey Estimates

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According to the most recent American Community Survey estimates available in 2020,[11] the five largest ancestries, whether partially claimed or claimed in full, were: 36.37% were of German; 19.15% Irish; 13.87% Norwegian; 7.57% English; and 4.77% Czech or Czechoslovakian.

There were 6,676 households, out of which 20.78% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.30% were married couples living together, 23.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.99% were non-families. 17.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.93. Of all households in the county, 74.4% of households were owner-occupied, and 25.6% were renter-occupied households.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 20, 15.86% from 20 to 34, 10.54% from 35 to 44, 28.38% from 45 to 64, and 23.38% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 108 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.9 males. In total, 52% of the population was male, and 48% of the population was female.

2010 Census

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2000 Census Age Pyramid for Crawford County

As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 16,644 people, 6,677 households, and 4,613 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 8,480 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.61% White, 1.78% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.6% were of German, 16.0% Norwegian, 11.4% Irish, 7.2% Czech, 7.2% English and 6.4% United States or American ancestry.

There were 6,677 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.25% under the age of 20, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 20 to 44, 31.16% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.30 males.

Transportation

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Major highways

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The sign for Crawford County on WIS60

Railroads

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Buses

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Airport

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Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport (KPDC) serves Crawford County and the surrounding communities.

Communities

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Houses in the Driftless Area on the Upper Mississippi River north of Lynxville

Cities

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Villages

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Crawford County, Wisconsin[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,113 56.16% 3,860 42.39% 132 1.45%
2020 4,620 53.13% 3,953 45.46% 122 1.40%
2016 3,836 49.64% 3,419 44.24% 473 6.12%
2012 3,067 39.24% 4,629 59.22% 121 1.55%
2008 2,830 35.46% 4,987 62.49% 164 2.05%
2004 3,680 43.50% 4,656 55.04% 123 1.45%
2000 3,024 40.90% 4,005 54.17% 365 4.94%
1996 2,149 30.44% 3,658 51.81% 1,253 17.75%
1992 2,390 30.59% 3,540 45.31% 1,882 24.09%
1988 3,238 46.98% 3,608 52.34% 47 0.68%
1984 4,412 55.87% 3,436 43.51% 49 0.62%
1980 3,934 50.08% 3,392 43.18% 530 6.75%
1976 3,393 47.11% 3,629 50.39% 180 2.50%
1972 3,705 58.67% 2,487 39.38% 123 1.95%
1968 3,316 54.09% 2,391 39.00% 423 6.90%
1964 2,726 40.91% 3,930 58.98% 7 0.11%
1960 3,719 52.60% 3,342 47.26% 10 0.14%
1956 4,123 61.71% 2,522 37.75% 36 0.54%
1952 5,323 70.15% 2,256 29.73% 9 0.12%
1948 3,465 48.23% 3,639 50.65% 81 1.13%
1944 4,199 57.12% 3,130 42.58% 22 0.30%
1940 4,667 56.28% 3,595 43.35% 31 0.37%
1936 2,857 35.91% 4,377 55.02% 722 9.07%
1932 1,943 28.71% 4,754 70.24% 71 1.05%
1928 3,452 51.18% 3,238 48.01% 55 0.82%
1924 1,687 29.82% 936 16.54% 3,035 53.64%
1920 3,600 74.29% 1,112 22.95% 134 2.77%
1916 1,883 50.63% 1,764 47.43% 72 1.94%
1912 1,407 41.66% 1,515 44.86% 455 13.47%
1908 2,041 54.25% 1,586 42.16% 135 3.59%
1904 2,279 61.08% 1,362 36.50% 90 2.41%
1900 2,333 62.53% 1,353 36.26% 45 1.21%
1896 2,323 59.61% 1,509 38.72% 65 1.67%
1892 1,727 49.91% 1,615 46.68% 118 3.41%

When the county was founded, Crawford County was a Republican stronghold, Having voted for the Republican presidential candidate every year from 1892 to 1908, and having only voted Democrat once from 1892 to 1920. The county leaned Republican for many years, until 1988 when Michael Dukakis won it by a margin of 5.3 percentage points. The county voted for the Democratic presidential candidate every year from 1988 to 2012. In 2016, Donald Trump won Crawford County by 5.4 percentage points. Trump would win it again in 2020 by a larger margin of 7.8 percentage points, marking the first time the county voted for a Republican back to back election cycles since 1984 when Ronald Reagan carried Crawford County. Trump won Crawford County for a third time in 2024, once again increasing his margin of victory, this time to 13.8 percentage points, the best Republican performance in the county since the 1972 landslide reelection of Richard Nixon.

Education

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School districts include:[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census: Crawford County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 95.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  5. ^ United States Geological Survey (2016). Rising Sun Quadrangle, Wisconsin (PDF) (Map). 1:24,000. 7.5-Minute Series. Rising Sun, WI, USA: United States Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data".
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  14. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Crawford County, WI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2024. - Text list

Further reading

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43°14′N 90°56′W / 43.23°N 90.93°W / 43.23; -90.93

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