Editing Westby, Wisconsin

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Westby, Wisconsin
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = Co-op City
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Westby, Wisconsin skyline.jpg
|image_size               = 260px
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = File:Vernon County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Westby Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 260px
|map_caption              = Location of Westby in Vernon County, Wisconsin.
|pushpin_map              = Wisconsin#USA
|pushpin_label            = Westby
|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        = [[Vernon County, Wisconsin|Vernon]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = Incorporated
|established_date         = 1896

<!-- 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           = 6.98
|area_land_km2            = 6.96
|area_water_km2           = 0.02
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.69
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.69
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 2332
|population_density_sq_mi = 868.2
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020-census-5585475" />
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            =

<!-- 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              = 396
|elevation_ft             = 1299
|coordinates              = {{coord|43|39|14|N|90|51|33|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 54667
|area_code                = [[Area code 608|608]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 55-85475<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              = 1576571<ref name="GR3" />
|website                  = https://www.cityofwestby.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>
}}

'''Westby''' is a city in [[Vernon County, Wisconsin]], United States. The population was 2,332 as of the 2020 census.<ref name="2020-census-5585475" /> The name "Westby" is a Norwegian name and literally translates to "Western city".

==History==
[[File:ThoresonHouseWestbyWI.jpg|thumb|left|The Thoreson Museum, home of the Westby Area Historical Society]]
Westby was named after general store owner and Civil War Union soldier Ole T. Westby of [[Biri, Norway]], where many of the city's [[Norwegian-American]] settlers originated.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.westbywi.com/norHistory.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209040254/http://www.westbywi.com/norHistory.html | url-status=usurped | archive-date=February 9, 2013 | title=Norwegian History}}</ref> [[Westby Coon-Prairie Lutheran Church]] in Westby was established in 1851. The [[Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad]] began servicing Westby and surrounding townships in August 1879, and the La Crosse and Southeastern Railroad began service to the area in January 1905, though both railroads have long since ceased local operations. The Westby depot was torn down in 1970.

==Geography==
Westby is located at {{coord|43|39|14|N|90|51|33|W|type:city}} (43.653861, -90.859034),<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> at the headwaters of the [[Bad Axe River]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.60|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|2.59|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}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 524
|1910= 902
|1920= 1228
|1930= 1366
|1940= 1438
|1950= 1491
|1960= 1544
|1970= 1568
|1980= 1797
|1990= 1866
|2000= 2045
|2010= 2200
|2020 = 2332
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|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>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|census of 2020]],<ref name="2020-census-5585475">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Westby city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5585475&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref> the population was 2,332. The [[population density]] was {{convert|868.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,033 housing units at an average density of {{convert|384.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.3% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 3.6% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.9% [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

===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 2,200 people, 929 households, and 575 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|849.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 996 housing units at an average density of {{convert|384.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 929 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15% 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.

The median age in the city was 41.5 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 24.4% were from 45 to 64; and 20.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,045 people, 840 households, and 554 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was 841.9 people per square mile (324.9/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 906 housing units at an average density of 373.0 per square mile (144.0/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 99.12% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (mostly [[Norwegian-American]]), 0.24% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.10% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.49% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.05% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.93% of the population.

There were 840 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,340, and the median income for a family was $41,000. Males had a median income of $29,274 versus $21,429 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,839. About 4.9% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
[[File:Velkomen to Westby.jpg|thumb|Westby city limits]]

==Economy==
[[File:Westbywi.jpg|thumb|Downtown Westby]]
[[File:Uff da shoppe.jpg|thumb|Uff da Shoppe, downtown]] 
The local economy was built on agriculture, with a strong tradition of cooperative businesses.  With seven cooperatives still functioning, Westby has been referred to as "Co-op City".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinstories.org/2002season/coop/video/index.cfm?doc=video3|title=Camp Co-op|author=Wisconsin Public Television|year=2002|publisher=Wisconsin Stories|access-date=2009-04-28}}</ref> some of the more prominent co-ops are the [[Westby Cooperative Creamery]], [[Vernon Telephone Cooperative]], [[Heartland Country Coop]], [[Westby Coop Credit Union]], and Vernon Electric Cooperative. Another important local business, also based on agriculture and is also a Co-op, is [[Accelerated Genetics]], formerly  Tri-State Breeders. It produces [[cattle semen]] for [[artificial insemination]]. [[Tobacco]] was formerly an important crop, Vernon County tobacco being used for the outer wrapper for cigars, with 120 employed in the tobacco warehouse in the 1930s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Federal Writers' Project|author2=Norman K. Risjord|title=The WPA Guide to Wisconsin: The Federal Writers' Project Guide to 1930s Wisconsin|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society Press|date=May 2006|pages=[https://archive.org/details/wpaguidetowiscon0000unse/page/514 514]|isbn=978-0-87351-553-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/wpaguidetowiscon0000unse/page/514}}</ref>

Westby is served by a weekly newspaper, the ''[[Westby Times]].'' The Norwegian flavor of the town is captured in the name of a store, [[Uff da|Uff Da]] Shoppe.
[[File:Westby Cooperative Creamery.jpg|thumb|center|Westby Cooperative Creamery]]

==Transportation==
Bus service towards [[La Crosse, Wisconsin|La Crosse]] or [[Viroqua, Wisconsin|Viroqua]] is provided seven times daily per direction by [[Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit]].<ref>[https://ridesmrt.com/wp-content/uploads/SMRT-Bus-Sched.pdf Bus schedule] ridesmrt.com {{dead link|date=September 2023}}</ref>

==Festivals==
[[Image:Westby Norseman.jpg|right|thumb|180px|The Westby Norseman]]
Westby has one of the largest ski jumping hills in the United States. The [[Snowflake ski jump|Snowflake Ski Club]] hosts an annual ski jump event at the end of January and the beginning of February. The event includes a parade to introduce all of the participating countries, a competition for "Snowflake" royalty, and opportunities for local businesses to sell their wares. The event attracts competitors from all over the ski jumping world.

Westby's most popular event is the [[Norwegian Constitution Day|Syttende Mai]] festival, an annual three-day event held in mid-May. The festival stems from Westby's [[Norway|Norwegian]] roots, [[Syttende Mai]] being a Norwegian holiday ("Syttende Mai" translates to "Seventeenth of May") celebrating Norway's independence and the signing of the Norwegian Constitution.

The festival's main attractions are the cultural shops, where many Norwegian products are sold; the food stands; and the troll hunt. At the start of the weekend, a small troll, standing several inches tall, is hidden somewhere within the city limits. A clue is posted downtown on each of the three days until someone finds the troll. The prize for retrieving the troll is $50.

In recent years, Westby has held a town festival to mark [[Leif Erikson Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.explorelacrosse.com/leif-erikson-day-celebrated/ |title=Leif Erikson Day to be Celebrated |date=2016|website=La Crosse County Convention and Visitors Bureau}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Robson |first=Dorothy |date=October 8, 2015 |title=Celebrate 'Leif Erikson Day' in Westby |url=https://lacrossetribune.com/community/westbytimes/news/local/celebrate-leif-erikson-day-in-westby/article_3c8cf930-1ad5-5249-9cfe-528c70ec814a.html |work=[[La Crosse Tribune]] |location=[[La Crosse, Wisconsin]]}}</ref>

==Gallery==
{{multiple image
 | align = center
 | total_width = 500
 | image1 = Westby High School.jpg
 | caption1 = Westby High School
 | image2 = Westby water tower cellular.jpg 
 | caption2 = Water tower 
 | image3 = Westby City Hall.jpg
 | caption3 = Westby City Hall
 }}

==Notable people==
{{div col}}
* [[Dexter Bean]], NASCAR driver
* [[Andrew H. Dahl]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Lawrence Grimsrud]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Hjalmer S. Halvorsen]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Ludwig Hektoen]], physician and pathologist
* [[Nils Joseph Hong]], educator
* [[Dedrick Martin Langve]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Arthur O. Mockrud]], Wisconsin State Assembly
* [[Lee Nerison]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Freddie Slack]], bandleader, composer
* [[Kristal Levendoski]], artist, philosopher <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/westbytimes/news/local/full-house-for-westby-area-performing-arts-center-dedication/article_3496cf3e-bd3e-5f85-a954-6b6440d3bcb4.html|title=Full house for Westby Area Performing Arts Center Dedication|first=Dorothy|last=Robson|date=February 16, 2018|website=La Crosse Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://lacrossetribune.com/community/westbytimes/news/local/holiday-reenactment-draws-attention-in-downtown-westby/article_ce5bc071-ba8f-50a0-bfd5-0706e84c4c01.html| title = Holiday reenactment draws attention in downtown Westby {{!}} Westbytimes {{!}} lacrossetribune.com| date = 23 December 2017}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20000829081442/http://www.westbywi.com/ Westby Chamber of Commerce]}}
* [http://www.westby.k12.wi.us Westby Area Schools]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110207214508/http://westbysyttendemai.com/ Westby Syttende Mai]}}
* Sanborn fire insurance maps: [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/12536 1904] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/12539 1911]

{{Vernon County, Wisconsin}}

{{authority control}}

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