Richland County, Wisconsin

Summary

Richland County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,304.[1] Its county seat is Richland Center.[2] The county was created from the Wisconsin Territory in 1842 and organized in 1850.[3] It is named for the high quality of its soil.[4]

Richland County
Richland County Courthouse
Richland County Courthouse
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Richland 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°23′N 90°26′W / 43.38°N 90.43°W / 43.38; -90.43
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1850
SeatRichland Center
Largest cityRichland Center
Area
 • Total589 sq mi (1,530 km2)
 • Land586 sq mi (1,520 km2)
 • Water3.1 sq mi (8 km2)  0.5%
Population
 • Total17,304
 • Density29.5/sq mi (11.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 3rd
Websiteco.richland.wi.us/index.shtml

Geography edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 589 square miles (1,530 km2), of which 586 square miles (1,520 km2) is land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) (0.5%) is water.[5]

Major highways edit

Airport edit

Richland Airport (93C) serves the county and surrounding communities.

Adjacent counties edit

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850903
18609,732977.7%
187015,73161.6%
188018,17415.5%
189019,1215.2%
190019,4831.9%
191018,809−3.5%
192019,8235.4%
193019,525−1.5%
194020,3814.4%
195019,245−5.6%
196017,684−8.1%
197017,079−3.4%
198017,4762.3%
199017,5210.3%
200017,9242.3%
201018,0210.5%
202017,304−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[1]

2020 census edit

As of the 2020 census,[1] the population was 17,304. The population density was 29.5 people per square mile (11.4 people/km2). There were 8,475 housing units at an average density of 14.5 units per square mile (5.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.4% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census edit

 
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Richland County
 
Farm along Highway 58 in rural Richland County near Cazenovia
 
Sign marking entrance into Richland County, with countryside in background

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 17,924 people, 7,118 households, and 4,833 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 8,164 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.39% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.7% were of German, 12.5% Norwegian, 10.3% Irish, 9.5% English and 8.8% American ancestry. 97.1% spoke English, 1.1% German, and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 7,118 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 27.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.40% 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 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

Communities edit

City edit

Villages edit

Towns edit

Census-designated places edit

Unincorporated communities edit

Ghost towns/neighborhoods edit

Politics edit

Richland County has been a Republican-leaning county for most of its existence, only backing the Democratic candidate six times and never giving them a vote share of more than 60%.

United States presidential election results for Richland County, Wisconsin[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,871 54.04% 3,995 44.32% 148 1.64%
2016 4,013 49.73% 3,569 44.23% 487 6.04%
2012 3,573 41.28% 4,969 57.41% 113 1.31%
2008 3,298 39.03% 5,041 59.66% 111 1.31%
2004 4,836 51.34% 4,501 47.78% 83 0.88%
2000 3,994 48.16% 3,837 46.27% 462 5.57%
1996 2,642 36.58% 3,502 48.49% 1,078 14.93%
1992 3,144 36.81% 3,458 40.49% 1,938 22.69%
1988 4,026 52.23% 3,643 47.26% 39 0.51%
1984 4,858 62.66% 2,844 36.68% 51 0.66%
1980 4,601 53.57% 3,413 39.74% 574 6.68%
1976 4,466 54.13% 3,634 44.04% 151 1.83%
1972 5,062 66.14% 2,492 32.56% 100 1.31%
1968 4,141 59.82% 2,288 33.05% 493 7.12%
1964 3,224 42.71% 4,315 57.17% 9 0.12%
1960 5,253 63.84% 2,965 36.03% 11 0.13%
1956 5,062 64.29% 2,783 35.34% 29 0.37%
1952 6,605 74.42% 2,260 25.46% 10 0.11%
1948 3,836 55.55% 2,990 43.30% 80 1.16%
1944 5,088 61.85% 3,109 37.79% 29 0.35%
1940 5,527 60.48% 3,524 38.56% 88 0.96%
1936 4,245 48.87% 4,080 46.97% 361 4.16%
1932 3,256 43.79% 4,027 54.16% 152 2.04%
1928 5,685 70.87% 2,262 28.20% 75 0.93%
1924 2,669 42.11% 898 14.17% 2,771 43.72%
1920 3,952 77.04% 917 17.88% 261 5.09%
1916 2,051 48.56% 1,845 43.68% 328 7.77%
1912 1,623 41.01% 1,493 37.72% 842 21.27%
1908 2,464 54.83% 1,689 37.58% 341 7.59%
1904 2,698 61.51% 1,340 30.55% 348 7.93%
1900 2,593 59.51% 1,524 34.98% 240 5.51%
1896 2,636 54.03% 2,098 43.00% 145 2.97%
1892 2,194 49.99% 1,670 38.05% 525 11.96%

See also edit

Notes edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census: Richland 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. ^ "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  4. ^ "Here's How Iron Got Its Name". The Rhinelander Daily News. June 16, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 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 8, 2015.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.

Further reading edit

  • History of Crawford and Richland Counties, Wisconsin. Springfield, Ill.: Union Publishing, 1884.
  • Miner, James H. (ed.) History of Richland County, Wisconsin. Madison, Wis.: Western Historical Association, 1906.

External links edit

  • Richland County website
  • Richland County map from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
  • Richland County Health and Demographic Data

43°23′N 90°26′W / 43.38°N 90.43°W / 43.38; -90.43