Editing Monroe County, Wisconsin

{{Short description|County in Wisconsin, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Monroe, Wisconsin}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Monroe County
 | state                = Wisconsin
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1854
  DT Moseley was the first white child born to settlers in Monroe County.
 | founded date         = 
 | seat wl              = Sparta
 | largest city wl      = Sparta
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 908
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 901
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 7.4
 | area percentage      = 0.8%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 46274
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 46151 {{loss}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 51.4
 | population_footnotes = <ref name="2020-census-55081" />
 | time zone            = Central
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = www.co.monroe.wi.us
 | named for            = [[James Monroe]]<ref>{{cite book|author=Chicago and North Western Railway Company|title=A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA162|year=1908|page=162}}</ref>
 | ex image             = Monroe County building-2.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Monroe County Courthouse (Wisconsin)|Monroe County Courthouse]] in Sparta
 | district             = 3rd
 | district2            = 7th
}}

'''Monroe County''' is a [[county (United States)|county]]  in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Wisconsin]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 46,274.<ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US55081 |access-date= |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716062023/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US55081 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Sparta, Wisconsin|Sparta]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|908|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|901|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.4|sqmi}} (0.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_55.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 6, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

===United States Army posts===
* [[Fort McCoy, Wisconsin]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Jackson County, Wisconsin|Jackson County]]{{snd}}north
* [[Juneau County, Wisconsin|Juneau County]]{{snd}}east
* [[Vernon County, Wisconsin|Vernon County]]{{snd}}south
* [[La Crosse County, Wisconsin|La Crosse County]]{{snd}}west

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 8410
|1870= 16550
|1880= 21607
|1890= 23211
|1900= 28103
|1910= 28881
|1920= 28666
|1930= 28739
|1940= 30080
|1950= 31378
|1960= 31241
|1970= 31610
|1980= 35074
|1990= 36633
|2000= 40899
|2010= 44673
|2020= 46274
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wi190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF"/> }}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|census of 2020]],<ref name="2020-census-55081">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Monroe County, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US55081&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 6, 2022}}</ref> the population was 46,274. The [[population density]] was {{convert|51.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 19,769 housing units at an average density of {{convert|21.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.4% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.1% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 5.0% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 5.5% [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

===2000 census===
{{Stack|[[Image:USA Monroe County, Wisconsin age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|2000 Census Age Pyramid for Monroe County.]]}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 40,899 people, 15,399 households, and 10,794 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|45|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 16,672 housing units at an average density of {{convert|18|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.52% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.46% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.92% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.48% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.85% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.81% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 45.5% were of [[German people|German]], 13.4% [[norwegian people|Norwegian]], 7.6% [[Irish people|Irish]], 6.3% [[United States|American]] and 5.0% [[English people|English]] ancestry. 92.9% spoke [[English language|English]], 3.1% [[German language|German]] and 2.2% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] as their first language.

There were 15,399 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.60 males.

In 2017, there were 534 births, giving a general fertility rate of 67.9 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 21st highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Of these, 43 of the births occurred at home.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publication/p01161-2019-tb.xlsx |title=Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables |access-date=June 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619175940/https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publication/p01161-2019-tb.xlsx |archive-date=June 19, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Additionally, there were 21 reported induced abortions performed on women of Monroe County residence in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p45360-17.pdf |title=Reported Induced Abortions in Wisconsin |publisher=Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services |at="Trend Information, 2013-2017", "Table 18", pages 17-18 |date=Dec 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904144322/https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p45360-17.pdf |archive-date= September 4, 2023 }}</ref>

In 2010, the reported adherence figures for the largest religious groups in Monroe County were Catholic at 9,250 adherents, Wisconsin Synod Lutheran at 3,102 adherents, ELCA Lutheran at 2,297 adherents, Amish at 1,627 adherents, LCMC Lutheran at 1,270 adherents, and United Methodist at 1,155 adherents.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=County Membership Report: Monroe County (Wisconsin): Religious Traditions |url=http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/rcms2010A.asp?U=55081&T=county&Y=2010&S=Name |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524004014/http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/rcms2010A.asp?U=55081&T=county&Y=2010&S=Name |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |website=The Association of Religion Data Archives}}</ref>

{{clear left}}

==Transportation==

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* [[Image:I-90.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 90]]
* [[Image:I-94.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 94]]
* [[Image:US 12.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 12]]
* [[Image:WIS 16.svg|20px]] [[Highway 16 (Wisconsin)]]
* [[Image:WIS 21.svg|20px]] [[Highway 21 (Wisconsin)]]
* [[Image:WIS 27.svg|20px]] [[Highway 27 (Wisconsin)]]
* [[Image:WIS 33.svg|20px]] [[Highway 33 (Wisconsin)]]
* [[Image:WIS 71.svg|20px]] [[Highway 71 (Wisconsin)]]
* [[Image:WIS 131.svg|20px]] [[Highway 131 (Wisconsin)]]
* [[Image:WIS 162.svg|20px]] [[Highway 162 (Wisconsin)]]
* [[Image:WIS 173.svg|20px]] [[Highway 173 (Wisconsin)]]
{{div col end}}

===Railroads===
*[[Canadian Pacific]]
*[[Union Pacific]]
*[[Amtrak]]
*[[Tomah station]]

===Buses===
*[[Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit]]

===Airports===
* [[Sparta/Fort McCoy Airport]]
* [[Bloyer Field]] Airport (Y72)

==Communities==
[[File:Monroe County WI sign I90.jpg|thumb|right|Monroe County sign on [[Interstate 90]]]]

===Cities===
* [[Sparta, Wisconsin|Sparta]] (county seat)
* [[Tomah, Wisconsin|Tomah]]

===Villages===
{{div col}}
* [[Cashton, Wisconsin|Cashton]]
* [[Kendall, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Kendall]]
* [[Melvina, Wisconsin|Melvina]]
* [[Norwalk, Wisconsin|Norwalk]]
* [[Oakdale, Wisconsin|Oakdale]]
* [[Warrens, Wisconsin|Warrens]]
* [[Wilton, Wisconsin|Wilton]]
* [[Wyeville, Wisconsin|Wyeville]]
{{div col end}}

===Towns===
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Adrian, Wisconsin|Adrian]]
* [[Angelo, Wisconsin|Angelo]]
* [[Byron, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Byron]]
* [[Clifton, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Clifton]]
* [[Glendale, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Glendale]]
* [[Grant, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Grant]]
* [[Greenfield, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Greenfield]]
* [[Jefferson, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Jefferson]]
* [[La Grange, Monroe County, Wisconsin|La Grange]]
* [[Lafayette, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Lafayette]]
* [[Leon, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Leon]]
* [[Lincoln, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Lincoln]]
* [[Little Falls, Wisconsin|Little Falls]]
* [[New Lyme, Wisconsin|New Lyme]]
* [[Oakdale (town), Wisconsin|Oakdale]]
* [[Portland, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Portland]]
* [[Ridgeville, Wisconsin|Ridgeville]]
* [[Scott, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Scott]]
* [[Sheldon, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Sheldon]]
* [[Sparta (town), Wisconsin|Sparta]]
* [[Tomah (town), Wisconsin|Tomah]]
* [[Wellington, Wisconsin|Wellington]]
* [[Wells, Wisconsin|Wells]]
* [[Wilton (town), Wisconsin|Wilton]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Cataract, Wisconsin|Cataract]]
* [[Tunnel City, Wisconsin|Tunnel City]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Angelo (community), Wisconsin|Angelo]]
* [[Clifton (community), Wisconsin|Clifton]]
* [[Farmers Valley, Wisconsin|Farmers Valley]]
* [[Four Corners, Monroe County, Wisconsin|Four Corners]]
* [[Glendale (community), Monroe County, Wisconsin|Glendale]]
* [[Jacksonville, Wisconsin|Jacksonville]]
* [[Kirby, Wisconsin|Kirby]]
* [[Leon (community), Wisconsin|Leon]]
* [[Norway Ridge, Wisconsin|Norway Ridge]]
* [[Oil City, Wisconsin|Oil City]]
* [[Portland (community), Monroe County, Wisconsin|Portland]]
* [[Raymore, Wisconsin|Raymore]]
* [[Ridgeville (community), Wisconsin|Ridgeville]]
* [[St. Mary's, Wisconsin|St. Mary's]]
* [[Scotts Junction, Wisconsin|Scotts Junction]]
* [[Shennington, Wisconsin|Shennington]]
* [[Spring Bank Park, Wisconsin|Spring Bank Park]]
* [[Valley Junction, Wisconsin|Valley Junction]]
{{div col end}}

==Economy==
[[File:Walmart distribution center in Tomah, Wisconsin 9 pano.jpg|thumb|261px|Walmart distribution center in [[Tomah, Wisconsin]]]]
[[File:Toro plant in Tomah, Wisconsin.jpg|thumb|261px|[[The Toro Company|Toro]] plant in [[Tomah, Wisconsin]]]]

===Largest employers===
#Tomah [[Veterans Affairs Medical Center|VA]] Medical Center
#[[United States Department of Defense|Dept. of Defense]]
#[[Walmart]] distribution center
#[[The Toro Company|Toro]] 
#County of Monroe
#Northern Engraving
#Century Foods
#Cardinal Glass Industries
#Wal-Mart stores
#Tomah Memorial Hospital<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.7riversalliance.org/site-selection/wisconsin-site-selection/wi-county-profiles/monroe-county/ | title=Monroe County |website=7 Rivers Alliance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604201507/https://www.7riversalliance.org/site-selection/wisconsin-site-selection/wi-county-profiles/monroe-county/ |archive-date= June 4, 2023 }}</ref>

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Monroe County, Wisconsin|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|14,563|8,476|330|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|13,775|8,433|403|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|11,356|7,052|1,291|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|9,675|9,515|295|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|8,666|10,198|288|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|10,375|8,973|206|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|8,217|7,460|658|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,299|6,924|2,377|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|6,118|6,427|4,260|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,073|6,437|75|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,227|5,567|90|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|8,136|6,521|1,027|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|7,242|6,465|261|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|7,625|3,640|171|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|6,938|4,012|1,065|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,126|6,385|13|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|7,410|5,161|16|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|7,460|4,311|40|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|8,744|3,717|34|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|5,347|4,970|173|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|7,277|4,013|64|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|8,042|4,673|148|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,695|6,491|822|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,022|6,757|175|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,936|3,709|114|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive (Wisconsin)|2,661|428|6,876|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|6,784|977|384|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|3,013|1,991|229|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,841|2,084|903|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,304|2,155|227|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|3,892|1,749|188|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|3,709|2,247|194|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|3,683|2,361|150|Wisconsin}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|2,530|2,458|379|Wisconsin}}
For most of its existence, Monroe County has favored the Republican Party. Since 1936, only four Democrats have won the county in presidential races.

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55081_monroe/DC20SD_C55081.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Monroe County, WI|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-12-20}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55081_monroe/DC20SD_C55081_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Bangor School District]]
* [[Black River Falls School District]]
* [[Cashton School District]]
* [[Hillsboro School District]]
* [[Melrose-Mindoro School District]]
* [[New Lisbon School District]]
* [[Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District]]
* [[Royall School District]]
* [[Sparta Area School District]]
* [[Tomah Area School District]]
* [[Westby Area School District]]

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Monroe County, Wisconsin]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* ''[http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/wch/id/59398/rec/1 Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin]''. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.
* Richards, Randolph A. (ed.) ''[http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/wch/id/62878/rec/2 History of Monroe County Wisconsin Past and Present Including an account of the Cities, Towns, and Villages of the County]''. Chicago: C. F. Cooper, 1912.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Monroe County, Wisconsin}}
* [http://www.co.monroe.wi.us/ Monroe County government website]
* [http://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/travel/road/hwy-maps/county-maps/monroe.pdf Monroe County map] from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Monroe County, Wisconsin
|North     = [[Jackson County, Wisconsin|Jackson County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Juneau County, Wisconsin|Juneau County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Vernon County, Wisconsin|Vernon County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[La Crosse County, Wisconsin|La Crosse County]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{Monroe County, Wisconsin}}
{{Wisconsin}}

{{coord|43.95|-90.62|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WI_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Monroe County, Wisconsin| ]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in Wisconsin]]