Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
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Fort Atkinson is a city located in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. It is located on the Rock River, a few miles upstream from Lake Koshkonong. Money Magazine named Fort Atkinson "One of America's Hottest Little Boomtowns". As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 11,621.
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Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.2 km² (5.5 mi²). 14.0 km² (5.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.64% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 11,621 people, 4,760 households, and 3,070 families residing in the city. The population density is 832.4/km² (2,154.8/mi²). There are 4,983 housing units at an average density of 356.9/km² (924.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 96.09% White, 0.34% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 4.37% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,760 households out of which 31.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% are married couples living together, 9.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% are non-families. 29.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.40 and the average family size is 2.96.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $43,807, and the median income for a family is $51,689. Males have a median income of $36,442 versus $23,852 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,008. 5.3% of the population and 3.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
The City of Fort Atkinson is located at the site of Fort Koshkonong, and is named after General Henry Atkinson. There is a replica of the original stockade just outside of town, although not at its original site.
Much of the history of Fort Atkinson and the surrounding area, as well as natural history is presented at The Hoard Historic Museum and National Dairy Shrine [1] (http://www.hoardmuseum.org). The museum is named after the Hoard family who founded the nationally distributed dairy farm magazine Hoard's Dairyman.
Another historic feature of Fort Atkinson is the General Atkinson Mound Group, a group of Indian mounds located just south of town. Similarly to the larger group of mounds at nearby Aztalan State Park in Aztalan, Wisconsin, the mounds are an artifact of Middle Mississippian Tradition in Wisconsin. Some of the mounds are effigy mounds, resembling birds and turtles. There is also a 125-foot long panther intaglio west of town, the last remaining intaglio in the state.
Economy
Fort Atkinson is home to industry and a growing tourist trade. The city's largest employer is The Fireside Dinner Theatre, a self-described motorcoach attraction, which draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. The city itself and key business owners have recently begun to expand the tourist trade with upscale shopping locations as well as general beautification along the river downtown. Other notable tourist attractions include a reconstruction of the original fort and the Cafe Carpe, noted throughout the state for hosting folk music performances.
In industry, Fort Atkinson is home to Nasco Science, a leading supplier of science educational products, Jones Dairy Farm, and Spacesaver.
External links
- Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce (http://www.fortchamber.com/)