Editing Nekoosa, Wisconsin

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Nekoosa, Wisconsin
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| native_name        = Nakrusa
| native_name_lang   = win
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = NekoosaWisconsinDowntown2WIS173.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Looking west in downtown Nekoosa
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = File:Wood County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Nekoosa Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Nekoosa in Wood County, Wisconsin.
| pushpin_map        = Wisconsin#USA
| pushpin_label      = Nekoosa
| pushpin_relief     = yes
<!-- Location -->| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Wisconsin}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Wisconsin|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Wood County, Wisconsin|Wood]]

<!-- Government -->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Daniel J. Carlson
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = <!-- 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     = 8.81
| area_land_km2      = 8.79
| area_water_km2     = 0.03
| area_total_sq_mi   = 3.40
| area_land_sq_mi    = 3.39
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.01

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Nekoosa city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Nekoosa+city,+Wisconsin |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref>
| population_total   = 2449
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto

<!-- 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        = 290
| elevation_ft       = 951
| coordinates        = {{coord|44|19|9|N|89|54|00|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 54457
| area_code          = [[Area codes 715 and 534|715 & 534]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 55-55875<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        = 1570148<ref name="GR3" />
| website            = {{URL|http://www.cityofnekoosa.org/index.php}}
| footnotes          = 
| name               = 
}}

'''Nekoosa''' is a city in [[Wood County, Wisconsin]], United States. Its name derives from the [[Winnebago language|Ho-Chunk]] word, "Nįįkuusra", "Nakrusa", or "Nįkusara" which translates to "running water".<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=62kqAAAAYAAJ&dq=nekoosa&pg=PA106 "A history of the origin of the place names connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railways", page 106, by William H. Stennett, Edition 2, Published 1908, Original from Harvard University, Digitized July 30, 2008 for Google Books, 201 pages.]</ref><ref>{{Cite web
| title = Locations
| work = Hoocąk Waaziija Haci Language Division, A Division of The Ho-Chunk Nation
| access-date = 2014-04-06
| url = http://hocak.info/mysite/HTM%20All/Locations.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140629171911/http://hocak.info/mysite/HTM%20All/Locations.htm
| archive-date = 2014-06-29
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The population was 2,449 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==
An article dated March 16, 1916 from the long defunct newspaper ''The Nekoosa Tribune'' detailing the early history of Nekoosa may be found at the [[Wisconsin Historical Society]] web site. It is a letter written by a resident to Nekoosa High School students to support them writing a history term paper.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nekoosa History|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba/articleView.asp?pg=1&orderby=&id=13553&pn=1&adv=yes&hdl=&np=&ln=&fn=&q=&y1=&y2=&ci=nekoosa&co=&mhd=&shd=|publisher=The Nekoosa Tribune|access-date=10 April 2011}}</ref>

'''[[Point Basse]]'''<br />
<blockquote>
"Five rapids covering a distance of about three miles in this area were referred to as Nekoosa (swift water) by the Chippewa Indians, who made their campground on high Swallow Rock overlooking the rapids. Wakeley's tavern served as a rendezvous and resting place for the river traveler and lumber raftsman. Wakeley's was the nucleus for the development of a settlement named Point Basse (low point). The name was later changed to Nekoosa.

The settlement became a key town during the colorful era when lumber was rafted down the river from the pineries of the North to Mississippi River markets.

Daniel Whitney built the first sawmill on the Wisconsin River here at Whitney's Rapids in 1831 making Nekoosa the birthplace of Wood County. From this first harnessing of the river's power developed scores of power facilities making the Wisconsin River the hardest worked river in the world." [Point Basse historical marker, erected 1963]<ref>[http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=1109 Point Basse Marker<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

</blockquote>

==Geography==
Nekoosa is located at {{coord|44.319081|-89.899937|format=dms|region:US-WI_type:city|display=inline,title}} (44.319081, -89.899937).<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|3.39|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|3.38|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|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>
{{wide image|Nekoosa, Wisconsin.jpg|320px|[[Wisconsin Highway 73|Wis-73]] crossing the [[Wisconsin River]] into Nekoosa|100%|center
|alt=Nekoosa, Wisconsin on the Wisconsin River}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1900 = 745
| 1910 = 1570
| 1920 = 1639
| 1930 = 2005
| 1940 = 2212
| 1950 = 2352
| 1960 = 2515
| 1970 = 2409
| 1980 = 2519
| 1990 = 2557
| 2000 = 2590
| 2010 = 2580
| 2020 = 2449
| 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>
}}

===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 2,580 people, 1,065 households, and 688 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|763.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,135 housing units at an average density of {{convert|335.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.8% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.4% of the population.

There were 1,065 households, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 18.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,590 people, 987 households, and 702 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|763.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 1,063 housing units at an average density of {{convert|313.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.72% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.12% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.27% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.31% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.97% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.62% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.81% of the population.

There were 987 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,375, and the median income for a family was $44,583. Males had a median income of $36,308 versus $22,361 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,063. About 6.7% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
[[File:Nekoosa paper plant.jpg|thumb|Nekoosa [[paper mill]]]]
Employment in Nekoosa has long been dominated by paper making. The Nekoosa Paper Company, incorporated in 1893, constructed a mill on the [[Wisconsin River]]. In 1908 it merged with a paper company in nearby [[Port Edwards, Wisconsin|Port Edwards]], forming the Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company, or NEPCO.<ref>J. Marshall Buehler. ''The Nekoosa Story: A Commemorative History of Nekoosa Papers Inc.'', Port Edwards, Wis.: Nekoosa Papers, 1987. 169p. HD 9829 .N45 B84 1987.</ref><ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2934&term_type_id=1&term_type_text=People&letter=A Wisconsin Historical Society entry for Lewis Miller Alexander (1858-1931)]</ref>  In 1970 NEPCO merged with the [[Great Northern Paper Company]], forming Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation, or GNN, which was purchased in a hostile takeover by [[Georgia-Pacific]] in 1990.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/14/business/company-news-nekoosa-seeks-buyer-to-avoid-hostile-bid.html "Nekoosa seeks buyer to avoid hostile bid", New York Times, February 14, 1990.]</ref><ref>[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-20-fi-196-story.html "Nekoosa to Weigh New $3.8-Billion Georgia-Pacific Bid - Takeovers: The paper products firm earlier rejected a $58-per-share offer. Now it will discuss a sweetened deal" LA Times, November 20, 1989]</ref>  In 2001 the mill was sold to Canadian paper company [[Domtar]].<ref>[http://www.domtar.com/en/paper-locations/paper-mill_nekoosa.asp Domtar corporate web site description]</ref><ref>[http://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/lehman/chrono.html?company=great_northern_nekoosa_corporation "Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation", Lehman Brothers Collection]</ref><ref>[http://www.stocklobster.com/3775.html Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation Stock Certificate & History]</ref>

The Nekoosa mill was the original home of a cutting-edge paper machine first shown at the [[Columbian Exposition|1893 Columbian Exhibition]]. The machine was moved in 1923 to a sister mill in Port Edwards.<ref>[http://paperindustryweb.com/1893fair.htm The Beloit Iron Works Columbian Machine]</ref>
Stock certificates from NEPCO<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scripophily.net/nekpapcom.html |title=Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Company Stock Certificate |access-date=2009-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230133236/http://www.scripophily.net/nekpapcom.html |archive-date=2006-12-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.stocklobster.com/3775.html Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation Stock Certificate]</ref> and GNN<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scripophily.net/northnekoosa.html |title=Great Northern Nekoosa Paper Corporation Stock Certificate |access-date=2009-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827225525/http://www.scripophily.net/northnekoosa.html |archive-date=2009-08-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> are popular [[scripophily]] items.

==Education==
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = vertical
 | width = 200
 | header = Nekoosa High School
 | image1 = Nekoosa High School.jpg
 | alt1 = Nekoosa High School
 | image2 = Nekoosa High School-2.jpg
 | alt2 = Nekoosa High School athletic fields
}}
Nekoosa has four schools: Humke Elementary School, Alexander Middle School, Nekoosa High School, and Nekoosa Academy. A new school designed specifically to teach [[Ho-Chunk]] heritage and history has been added to the district as well as a charter school called CWSA or the Central Wisconsin Stem Academy 

==Notable people==
{{div col}}
*[[Chief Oshkosh]], Native American leader
*[[Ed Lewis (wrestler)|Ed 'Strangler' Lewis]], [[professional wrestler]]
*[[Edgar Manske]], professional football player
*[[Frederick C. Peerenboom]], radio
*[[John M. Potter]], Wisconsin State Senator {{div col end}}

==Images==
<gallery>
File:NekoosaWisconsinDowntown1WIS73EastTerminus.jpg|Looking south in downtown Nekoosa
File:NekoosaWisconsinSignWIS73.jpg|Sign on [[Wisconsin Highway 73|WIS 73]]
File:NekoosaWisconsinPoliceStationWatertowerWIS173.jpg|Police station and water tower
File:NekoosaWisconsinPostOfficeWIS173.jpg|Post office
File:Nekoosa Dam on Wisconsin River.jpg|Nekoosa Dam on [[Wisconsin River]]
File:Nekoosa City Hall.jpg|Nekoosa City Hall
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Nekoosa, Wisconsin}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100430060152/http://www.cityofnekoosa.org/index.php City of Nekoosa official web site]
* [http://www.nekoosaschools.org Nekoosa Public Schools]
* [http://www.historicpointbasse.com/index.html Historic Pointe Basse]
* Sanborn fire insurance maps: [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/5214 1895] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/5525 1902] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/8661 1909]
* Plat maps of Nekoosa: [http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=article&did=WI.AtlasWood09.i0010&id=WI.AtlasWood09&isize=L 1909] [http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=article&did=WI.AtlasWood28.i0023&id=WI.AtlasWood28&isize=L 1928]

{{Wood County, Wisconsin}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Cities in Wood County, Wisconsin]]