Editing Elkhorn, Wisconsin

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Elkhorn, Wisconsin
|settlement_type          = [[List of cities in Wisconsin|City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = “Living in Harmony”<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.cityofelkhorn.org/community/page/history |website=cityofelkhorn.org |access-date=24 February 2021}}</ref>

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Hotel Loraine Building ^ Moy's Restaurant - panoramio.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Loraine Hotel building, downtown Elkhorn
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = File:Walworth County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Elkhorn Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Elkhorn in Walworth County, Wisconsin.
|pushpin_map              = Wisconsin#USA
|pushpin_label            = Elkhorn
|pushpin_relief           = yes

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Wisconsin]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Wisconsin|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Walworth County, Wisconsin|Walworth]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = Incorporated (village)
|established_date         = March 27, 1857
|established_title1        = Incorporated (city)
|established_date1         = May 17, 1897<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mds.wi.gov/View/MunicipalRecords|accessdate=2024-11-07|title=Municipal Data System|publisher=Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Intergovernmental Relations|date=2024}}</ref>

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_55.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 21.00
|area_land_km2            = 20.88
|area_water_km2           = 0.11
|area_total_sq_mi         = 8.11
|area_land_sq_mi          = 8.06
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/>
|population_total         = 10247
|population_density_km2   = 479.78
|population_density_sq_mi = 1242.59

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
|elevation_m              = 314
|elevation_ft             = 1030
|coordinates              = {{coord|42|40|22|N|88|32|25|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[Zip Code]]
|postal_code              = 53121
|area_code                = [[Area code 262|262]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 55-23300<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1564532<ref name="GR3" />
|website                  = [http://www.cityofelkhorn.org www.cityofelkhorn.org]
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
}}

'''Elkhorn''' is a city in [[Walworth County, Wisconsin]], United States, and its [[county seat]]. It is located {{Convert|40|mi|km|abbr=out}} southwest of [[Milwaukee]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], it was home to 10,247 people, up from 10,084 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref>

==History==
In 1836, Colonel Samuel Phoenix spotted a rack of [[elk]] [[antlers]] in a tree and proclaimed the area as "Elk Horn."<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA117 | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Henry Gannett | year=1905 | page=117}}</ref>

The area's beauty and fertile soil led Daniel Bradley, his brother Milo, and LeGrand Rockwell to create a community in the area.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.cityofelkhorn.org/Community/History.asp|website=City of Elkhorn|access-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616205246/http://www.cityofelkhorn.org/Community/History.asp|archive-date=16 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its growth to a population of 539 led to the first town meeting in 1846. Elkhorn was designated county seat that same year because of its location in Walworth County.

In 1851, Elkhorn became the location of the Walworth County Fair, which is now hosted annually at the [[Walworth County Fairgrounds]]. The Walworth County Fair is the largest county fair in Wisconsin.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brands |first=Rachel |date=August 24, 2023 |title=Walworth County Fair returns for 174th end-of-summer celebration |work=[[The Gazette (Janesville, Wisconsin)|The Gazette]] |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D8DE8DE83992E4A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1939CE1B633E1070 |url-access=registration |access-date=November 24, 2023 |via=[[NewsBank]]}}</ref>

In the 1870s, [[saline water]] from springs located in Elkhorn was believed to cure [[rheumatism]].<ref>Editor (4 Sep 1874) [https://www.ci.brainerd.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/1195/September-5-1874-PDF “Remarkable Cure.”] Brainerd Tribune, Vol 3 No 30. Page 1. (Retrieved November 13, 2019).</ref>

Because the city places [[Christmas]] decorations around its center, Elkhorn has been called the "Christmas Card Town" since before [[World War II]]. This tradition is celebrated every year by an annual oil painting by local artist Jan Castle Reed. These watercolor paintings are turned into Christmas cards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cityofelkhorn.org/Community/History.htm |title=History, City of Elkhorn, Wisconsin (WI) |access-date=2009-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202112654/http://www.cityofelkhorn.org/Community/History.htm |archive-date=2008-12-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Elkhorn is also known for the folklore of the [[Beast of Bray Road]], a supposed [[werewolf]] type creature that has become the focus of books, documentaries, and other media including 2005 movie, [[The Beast of Bray Road (film)|The Beast of Bray Road]].<ref name="Book">{{cite book |last1=Godfrey |first1=Linda S. |title=The Beast of Bray Road: Tailing Wisconsin's Werewolf |date=2003 |publisher=Prairie Oak Press |location=Black Earth, Wisconsin |isbn=9781879483910 |language=en |quote=53090741}}</ref>

==Geography==
Elkhorn is located at {{coord|42|40|22|N|88|32|25|W|type:city}} (42.672900, −88.540342).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|7.81|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|7.76|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.05|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-11-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 42
|1860= 1081
|1870= 1205
|1880= 1122
|1890= 1447
|1900= 1731
|1910= 1707
|1920= 1991
|1930= 2340
|1940= 2382
|1950= 2935
|1960= 3586
|1970= 3992
|1980= 4605
|1990= 5337
|2000= 7305
|2010= 10084
|2020= 10247
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

{{CSS image crop
|Image = ISS030-E-223828.jpg|bSize = 4256|cWidth = 153|cHeight = 137|oTop = 554 |oLeft =1049 |Location      = right
|Description   = Elkhorn, 11:23:40 PM CDT in 2012 during [[Expedition 30]] at the International Space Station}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-18}}</ref> of 2010, there were 10,084 people, 3,801 households, and 2,514 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1299.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,043 housing units at an average density of {{convert|521.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.8% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 11.0% of the population.

There were 3,801 households, of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.9% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11% 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 3.11.

The median age in the city was 34.3 years. 27.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.3% were from 45 to 64; and 11.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 7,305 people, 2,919 households, and 1,903 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,005.2 people per square mile (388.0/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 3,014 housing units at an average density of 414.7 per square mile (160.1/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 94.81% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.47% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.40% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.55% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.83% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.92% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 6.13% of the population.

There were 2,919 households, out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% 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 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,395, and the median income for a family was $47,475. Males had a median income of $34,867 versus $22,253 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,003. About 7.4% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

== Transportation ==
Elkhorn was a stop on the Racine & Southwestern branch line of the [[Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad]], better known as the Milwaukee Road. In its 1980 bankruptcy, the Milwaukee Road disposed of the Southwestern Line. The Wisconsin & Southern continues to service Elkhorn from a connection at Bardwell to the west.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glenviewcreek.com/elkhorn.html|title=Elkhorn Railroad History and Photos|website=glenviewcreek.com|access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref>

==Notable people==

* [[Lucius Allen (politician)|Lucius Allen]], [[Wisconsin State Assembly]]
* [[Thomas Ryum Amlie]], [[U.S. Representative]]
* [[Tom Bigelow]], racing driver
* [[Charles Coleman (politician)|Charles Coleman]], Wisconsin State Assembly
* [[Ely B. Dewing]], Wisconsin State Assembly
* [[Charles Dunlap (politician)|Charles Dunlap]], Wisconsin State Assembly
* [[Sidney Clayton Goff]], Wisconsin State Assembly
* [[John Harris (Wisconsin)|John Harris]], Wisconsin State Senator
* [[William H. Hurlbut]], Wisconsin State Assembly
* [[Greg Kent]], NFL Player
* [[Jay G. Lamberson]], Wisconsin State Assembly
* [[Hollis Latham]], Wisconsin State Assembly
* [[Tallan Noble Latz]], musician
* [[John Raleigh]], [[MLB]] player
* [[Eldo T. Ridgway]], Wisconsin State Senator, mayor of Elkhorn
* [[Jim Roslof]], fantasy artist
* [[James D. Swan]], Wisconsin State Senator<ref>''Wisconsin Blue Book 1973'', p. 50</ref>
* [[Patrick Smage]], motorcycle racer
* [[Joseph Philbrick Webster]], composer of [[In the Sweet By-and-By]]
* [[Clarence J. Wilger]], Wisconsin State Assembly

==Images==
<gallery widths=200px class="center">
File:Elkhorn Wisconsin Police Department and Municipal Court.jpg|Police department and Municipal Court
File:Elkhorn Wisconsin Town Square.jpg|Park in town square
File:Elkhorn Wisconsin Downtown Looking South WIS11 WIS67.jpg|Downtown looking south
File:Elkhorn Wisconsin Welcome Sign.jpg|Welcome sign
File:Elkhorn Wisconsin Medical Center.jpg|Mercy Elkhorn Medical Center
File:Elkhorn Wisconsin Downtown Looking East WIS11.jpg|Southern town square
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Elkhorn, Wisconsin}}
* [http://www.cityofelkhorn.org City of Elkhorn, Wisconsin website]
* [http://www.elkhorn-wi.org Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce website]
* Sanborn fire insurance maps: [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/4821 1893] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/4825 1898] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/4830 1904] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/4837 1911]

{{Adjacent communities|Center=Elkhorn|North-east=[[File:I-43.svg|25px|link=I-43]] [[Milwaukee]], [[East Troy, Wisconsin|East Troy]]|South-west=[[File:I-43.svg|25px|link=I-43]] [[Beloit, Wisconsin|Beloit]], [[Delavan, Wisconsin|Delavan]]|WEST=[[File:WIS 11.svg|25px|link=WIS 11]] [[Janesville, Wisconsin|Janesville]], [[Delavan, Wisconsin|Delavan]]|North=[[File:US 12.svg|25px|link=U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin]] [[File:WIS 67.svg|25px|link=WIS 67]] [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], Lauderdale Shores|South=[[File:WIS 67.svg|25px|link=WIS 67]] [[Williams Bay, Wisconsin|Williams Bay]]|SOUTHWEST=[[File:I-43.svg|25px|link=I-43]] [[Beloit, Wisconsin|Beloit]], [[Delavan, Wisconsin|Delavan]]|EAST=[[File:WIS 11.svg|25px|link=WIS 11]] [[Racine, Wisconsin|Racine]], [[Spring Prairie (community), Wisconsin|Spring Prairie]]|SOUTHEAST=[[File:I-43.svg|25px|link=U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin]] [[Chicago]], [[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin|Lake Geneva]]}}
{{Walworth County, Wisconsin}}
{{Wisconsin county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Elkhorn, Wisconsin| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Cities in Walworth County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:County seats in Wisconsin]]