Marathon County, Wisconsin

Marathon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 138,013.[1] Marathon County's seat is Wausau.[2] It was founded in 1850,[2] created from a portion of Portage County. At that time the county stretched to the northern border with the upper Michigan peninsula. It is named after the battlefield at Marathon, Greece.[3]

Marathon County
County
Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau
Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Marathon County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°54′N 89°46′W
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1850
Named forMarathon, Greece
SeatWausau
Largest cityWausau
Area
 • Total1,576 sq mi (4,080 km2)
 • Land1,545 sq mi (4,000 km2)
 • Water31 sq mi (80 km2)  2.0%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total138,013
 • Density89.3/sq mi (34.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.co.marathon.wi.us
Wisconsin 1866 US land Office
Marathon County Fairgrounds

Marathon County comprises the Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Wausau–Stevens Point–Wisconsin Rapids, WI Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,576 square miles (4,080 km2), of which 1,545 square miles (4,000 km2) is land and 31 square miles (80 km2) (2.0%) is water.[4] It is the largest county in Wisconsin by land area and fourth-largest by total area.

Marker located at the 45×90 point near Rietbrock

The Marathon County Park Commission has posted a geographical marker[5] that identifies the spot (45°N, 90°W) of the exact center of the northern half of the Western Hemisphere, meaning that it is a quarter of the way around the world from the Prime Meridian and halfway from the Equator to the North Pole.

Major highways

Railroads

Buses

Airports

Adjacent counties

Natural wildlife refuges

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850508—
18602,892469.3%
18705,885103.5%
188017,121190.9%
189030,36977.4%
190043,25642.4%
191055,05427.3%
192065,25918.5%
193070,6298.2%
194075,9157.5%
195080,3375.8%
196088,87410.6%
197097,4579.7%
1980111,27014.2%
1990115,4003.7%
2000125,8349.0%
2010134,0636.5%
2020138,0132.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010 [10] 2020[1]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020,[1] the population was 138,013. The population density was 89.3 people per square mile (34.5 people/km2). There were 59,828 housing units at an average density of 38.7 units per square mile (14.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.9% White, 6.2% Asian, 0.9% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.3% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Marathon County

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 125,834 people, 47,702 households, and 33,868 families residing in the county. The population density was 81 people per square mile (31 people/km2). There were 50,360 housing units at an average density of 33 units per square mile (13 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.84% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 4.54% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.6% were of German and 13.6% Polish ancestry. 92.9% spoke English, 3.4% Hmong, 1.1% German and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 47,702 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% 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 26.80% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.

Libraries

The Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) has its headquarters in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin. Eight branch libraries have been established in the cities of Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford.

Recreation

County parks
  • Amco County Park
  • Big Eau Pleine County Park
  • Big Rapids County Park
  • Bluegill Bay County Park
  • Cherokee County Park
  • Courthouse Square
  • D.C. Everest County Park
  • Dells of the Eau Claire County Park
  • Duane L. Corbin Shooting Range Park
  • Library Park
  • Marathon Park
  • Mission Lake County Park
  • Mountain-Bay State Park Trail
  • Reitbrock Geographical Marker
  • Rib Falls County Park
  • Sunny Vale County Park

Snowmobile trails

There are over 884 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Marathon County maintained by 29 area snowmobile clubs. [12]

Communities
County sign on Wisconsin Highway 13

Cities

Villages

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns/neighborhoods

Politics
United States presidential election results for Marathon County, Wisconsin[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 44,624 58.14% 30,808 40.14% 1,319 1.72%
2016 39,014 56.12% 26,481 38.09% 4,023 5.79%
2012 36,617 52.41% 32,363 46.32% 882 1.26%
2008 30,345 44.66% 36,367 53.53% 1,228 1.81%
2004 36,394 53.47% 30,899 45.40% 766 1.13%
2000 28,883 49.48% 26,546 45.48% 2,945 5.05%
1996 19,874 38.63% 24,012 46.67% 7,563 14.70%
1992 20,948 36.51% 21,482 37.44% 14,948 26.05%
1988 24,482 49.44% 24,658 49.79% 381 0.77%
1984 27,080 55.64% 20,128 41.36% 1,462 3.00%
1980 25,868 48.34% 23,281 43.50% 4,365 8.16%
1976 21,898 45.62% 24,934 51.94% 1,169 2.44%
1972 21,454 51.28% 18,500 44.22% 1,885 4.51%
1968 16,907 44.40% 18,063 47.43% 3,111 8.17%
1964 12,766 34.11% 24,603 65.74% 57 0.15%
1960 21,880 54.67% 18,145 45.33% 0 0.00%
1956 22,586 59.36% 15,301 40.21% 164 0.43%
1952 20,702 58.52% 14,541 41.11% 130 0.37%
1948 11,494 40.93% 15,898 56.62% 687 2.45%
1944 15,782 53.54% 13,192 44.75% 503 1.71%
1940 15,264 51.80% 13,724 46.57% 481 1.63%
1936 7,328 27.06% 17,898 66.10% 1,850 6.83%
1932 6,210 25.24% 17,744 72.13% 647 2.63%
1928 10,127 48.02% 10,675 50.61% 289 1.37%
1924 5,577 29.22% 1,109 5.81% 12,402 64.97%
1920 11,356 65.53% 2,133 12.31% 3,840 22.16%
1916 5,838 57.03% 3,677 35.92% 722 7.05%
1912 3,033 33.20% 4,043 44.26% 2,059 22.54%
1908 5,258 50.62% 4,722 45.46% 408 3.93%
1904 6,144 63.24% 3,225 33.19% 347 3.57%
1900 4,717 54.32% 3,768 43.40% 198 2.28%
1896 3,958 49.62% 3,829 48.00% 190 2.38%
1892 1,959 33.04% 3,791 63.94% 179 3.02%

See also

References
  1. "2020 Decennial Census: Marathon County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Here's How Iron Got Its Name". The Rhinelander Daily News. June 16, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 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 6, 2015.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. "Marathon County Parks, Recreation, Forestry Department". Marathon County, Wisconsin. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
Wikisource has the text of an 1879 American Cyclopædia article about Marathon County, Wisconsin.

44.90°N 89.76°W / 44.90; -89.76

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