Pelican, Wisconsin

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 54.2 square miles (140.2 km²), of which, 51.5 square miles (133.3 km²) of it is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km²) of it (4.99%) is water.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,902 people, 1,167 households, and 820 families residing in the town. The population density was 56.4 people per square mile (21.8/km²). There were 1,532 housing units at an average density of 29.8 per square mile (11.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.07% White, 0.28% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.31% of the population.

There were 1,167 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,053, and the median income for a family was $44,423. Males had a median income of $38,169 versus $20,861 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,566. About 5.3% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (KRHI) serves Pelican, the county and surrounding communities with both scheduled commercial jet service and general aviation services.