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Rhinelander, Wisconsin

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Rhinelander is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States.[4] The population was 8,285 at the 2020 census.

Rhinelander, Wisconsin
City
Looking east at downtown Rhinelander with view of the Oneida County Courthouse dome
Looking east at downtown Rhinelander with view of the Oneida County Courthouse dome
Location of Rhinelander in Oneida County, Wisconsin
Location of Rhinelander in Oneida County, Wisconsin
Coordinates: 45°38′22″N 89°24′44″W / 45.63944°N 89.41222°W / 45.63944; -89.41222
CountryUnited States
State Wisconsin
CountyOneida
Area
[1]
 • Total8.68 sq mi (22.47 km2)
 • Land8.42 sq mi (21.82 km2)
 • Water0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2)
Elevation
[2]
1,549 ft (472 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,285
 • Density983.6/sq mi (379.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Zip Code
54501
Area code(s)715 & 534
FIPS code55-67200[3]
GNIS feature ID1572231[2]
Websitewww.rhinelandercityhall.org

History

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The area that eventually became the city of Rhinelander was originally called Pelican Rapids by early settlers, named for the stretch of rapids just above the convergence of the Wisconsin and Pelican Rivers. Around 1870, Anderson W. Brown of Stevens Point and Anson P. Vaughn traveled up the Wisconsin River to cruise timber for Brown's father, E. D. Brown. Upon arriving at the meeting point of the Wisconsin and Pelican Rivers at the site of John Curran's trading post, and seeing the high banks along the rapids and the excellent pine stands, Anderson Brown envisioned a mill town with a lumber mill powered by the waters of the Wisconsin River. Brown's vision did not come to fruition for some years, but after subsequent expeditions with others, including his brother and Rhinelander's first mayor, Webster Brown, the brothers managed to convince their father and uncle to purchase the land from the federal government and build a town.

In its charter, the city was named Rhinelander after Frederic W. Rhinelander of New York, who was president of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway at the time.[5] This was part of a bid by the Brown brothers to induce the railroad to extend a spur to the location to further their lumbering business. Ultimately, after over ten years of negotiations, the Brown family agreed to convey half their land holdings in the area to the railroad in exchange for a rail line to their future city. In 1882, the railroad line from present-day Monico to Rhinelander was completed, jump-starting the development of Rhinelander as the commercial hub of the region.[6]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.61 square miles (22.30 km2), of which, 8.34 square miles (21.60 km2) are land and 0.27 sq mi (0.70 km2) is covered by water.[7]

Climate

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Rhinelander has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb). Because of its location, it is prone to Arctic cold snaps, and without the western Föhn winds its winter average is lower than other places in the US at 45 °N even at high elevations. Summers tend to be cooler with some degree of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan influence. Precipitation is still relatively distributed but not as much as other humid climates in the country.[8][9]

Climate data for Rhinelander, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 53
(12) 		60
(16) 		78
(26) 		92
(33) 		99
(37) 		104
(40) 		108
(42) 		97
(36) 		98
(37) 		92
(33) 		79
(26) 		62
(17) 		108
(42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 21.1
(−6.1) 		26.0
(−3.3) 		37.6
(3.1) 		50.7
(10.4) 		64.9
(18.3) 		73.9
(23.3) 		78.0
(25.6) 		75.9
(24.4) 		68.1
(20.1) 		53.9
(12.2) 		38.1
(3.4) 		26.0
(−3.3) 		51.2
(10.7)
Daily mean °F (°C) 10.8
(−11.8) 		13.9
(−10.1) 		25.4
(−3.7) 		38.7
(3.7) 		52.6
(11.4) 		62.1
(16.7) 		66.3
(19.1) 		64.3
(17.9) 		56.3
(13.5) 		43.3
(6.3) 		29.4
(−1.4) 		17.3
(−8.2) 		40.0
(4.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 0.4
(−17.6) 		1.9
(−16.7) 		13.2
(−10.4) 		26.7
(−2.9) 		40.3
(4.6) 		50.3
(10.2) 		54.5
(12.5) 		52.6
(11.4) 		44.6
(7.0) 		32.8
(0.4) 		20.7
(−6.3) 		8.6
(−13.0) 		28.9
(−1.7)
Record low °F (°C) −41
(−41) 		−42
(−41) 		−36
(−38) 		−11
(−24) 		18
(−8) 		25
(−4) 		31
(−1) 		28
(−2) 		21
(−6) 		2
(−17) 		−16
(−27) 		−34
(−37) 		−42
(−41)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.22
(31) 		1.16
(29) 		1.80
(46) 		2.97
(75) 		3.77
(96) 		4.52
(115) 		4.39
(112) 		3.50
(89) 		4.12
(105) 		3.38
(86) 		1.95
(50) 		1.58
(40) 		34.36
(873)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 12.0
(30) 		12.3
(31) 		7.5
(19) 		7.4
(19) 		0.1
(0.25) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		1.1
(2.8) 		7.0
(18) 		14.8
(38) 		62.2
(158)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.5 7.9 8.6 10.8 13.1 12.7 11.3 10.7 11.4 12.8 10.2 10.9 130.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 9.1 6.8 4.3 2.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 4.7 8.6 36.7
Source: NOAA[10][11]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18902,658—
19004,99888.0%
19105,63712.8%
19206,65418.0%
19308,01920.5%
19408,5016.0%
19508,7743.2%
19608,7900.2%
19708,218−6.5%
19807,873−4.2%
19907,427−5.7%
20007,7354.1%
20107,7980.8%
20208,2856.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[12][13]

2020 census

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As of the census of 2020,[14] the population was 8,285. The population density was 983.6 inhabitants per square mile (379.8/km2). There were 4,123 housing units at an average density of 489.5 per square mile (189.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% White, 1.6% Native American, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 2.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

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As of the census of 2010,[15] 7,798 people, 3,545 households, and 1,876 families resided in the city. The population density was 935.0 inhabitants per square mile (361.0/km2). The 3,981 housing units averaged 477.3 per square mile (184.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% White, 1.0% African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.3% of the population.

Of the 3,545 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.1% were not families. About 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.79.

The median age in the city was 40 years; 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 19.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

2000 census

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As of the census of 2000,[3] 7,735 people, 3,214 households, and 1,860 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,002.5 people per square mile (386.9/km2). The 3,430 housing units averaged 444.5 per square mile (171.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.83% White, 0.39% African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.72% of the population.

Of the 3,214 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were not families. About 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was distributed as 23.4% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,622, and for a family was $37,629. Males had a median income of $29,750 versus $22,157 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,047. About 9.4% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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Rhinelander is a commercial, industrial, and recreation hub for the Northwoods area of Wisconsin. Because of the forests, lakes, and trails in the area, it is both a summer and winter vacation destination. It has a paper mill and a hospital.

The Rhinelander area has numerous vacation destinations, offering fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, ATVing, mountain biking and hiking, hunting, golfing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and bird watching. It also serves as a main shopping and lodging area for the Northwoods. A popular summer tourist destination is the Pioneer Park Historical Complex, which is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and features many interactive displays and spaces to explore Rhinelander's rich history.[16]

Arts and culture

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A modern statue of the hodag on display in front of the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce

Rhinelander is the home of the hodag, a folkloric green and white creature said to stalk the local woods. The hodag serves as mascot for the city and for Rhinelander High School and Northwoods Community Secondary School.

  • The Rhinelander Flea Market is held every Wednesday between Labor Day and Memorial Day by the ice arena.
  • An arts and cultural center is in the former Federal Building downtown.
  • Rhinelander is home to the Hodag Country Festival, a country music festival.
  • Northwoods Pride Festival
  • Oneida County Fair
  • Oktoberfest
  • Rhinelander is home to Sirencon, an event held at the Tesomas Scout Camp where siren hobbyist's from around the world gather.

Museums

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  • ArtStart Art Museum
  • CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) Museum
  • Logging Museum
  • Rhinelander Historical Society Museum
  • Rhinelander School Museum

Parks and recreation

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Golf

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  • Northwood Golf Course
  • Rhinelander Country Club

Government

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Rhinelander is the county seat for Oneida County. Kristopher Hanus is the current mayor.[17]

Presidential election results
Presidential election results [18]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 45.8% 1,775 51.8% 2,007 2.3% 91
2016 44.8% 1,504 45.9% 1,540 9.2% 310
2012 36.8% 1,303 61.5% 2,173 1.7% 60
2008 32.1% 1,242 66.0% 2,554 1.9% 74
2004 42.4% 1,622 56.3% 2,152 1.3% 49
2000 41.1% 1,363 53.0% 1,757 5.9% 196

Education

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Media

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Rhinelander is home to NBC affiliate WJFW-TV. In addition to serving Rhinelander, WJFW-TV also serves the Wausau area. Conversely, Wausau's area stations, including CBS affiliate WSAW-TV and ABC affiliate WAOW, also serve Rhinelander. WXPR, a public radio station at 91.7 FM, is based in Rhinelander.

Infrastructure

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Transportation

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Major highways

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 U.S. 8 runs eastbound to Crandon, Wisconsin. Westbound, US 8 routes to Prentice, Wisconsin.
 
 WIS 17 travels north to Eagle River, Wisconsin and south to Merrill, Wisconsin. This route is on the eastern side of Rhinelander.
 
 WIS 47 runs north to Woodruff, Wisconsin and runs south to Antigo, Wisconsin.

Airport

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Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (KRHI) serves Rhinelander and the surrounding Oneida County communities with both scheduled commercial jet service and general aviation services. Located two miles west of the city, the airport handles about 24,958 operations per year, with around 88% general aviation, 6% scheduled commercial air service, and 6% air taxi. The airport has a 6,800-ft concrete primary runway with approved ILS, GPS and VOR/DME approaches (runway 9-27) and a 5,201-ft asphalt crosswind runway with approved GPS approaches (runway 15-33). In addition, the Rhinelander VORTAC (RHI) navigational facility is located on the field.[21]

Notable people

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Images

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References

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  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 117.
  6. ^ Olsen, T. V. (1983). Birth of a City. Rhinelander, Wisconsin: Pineview Publishing.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  8. ^ "Rhinelander, Wisconsin Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  9. ^ "Solargis :: iMaps". solargis.info. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  10. ^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  11. ^ "Station: Rhinelander, WI". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  12. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. ^ "United States Census Bureau QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  14. ^ "2020 Decennial Census: Rhinelander city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  16. ^ "Rhinelander and the Hodag", woodycrops.tennessee.edu, retrieved April 25, 2024
  17. ^ "Mayor and City Council". Rhinelander City, Wisconsin. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  18. ^ "Wisconsin election results". Lubar Center for Public Policy and Civic Education. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  19. ^ "Zion Lutheran School".
  20. ^ "Rhinelander School of the Arts". Liberty Grove Paper Arts. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  21. ^ "AirNAV - KRHI", AirNAV.com, accessed September 14, 2015.
  22. ^ Doug Sterner. "MOH Citation for Deming Bronson". homeofheroes.com.
  23. ^ "Nicolet College-Elizabeth Burmaster named new president of Nicolet College". Archived from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  24. ^ "Darrell Einertson Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  25. ^ Eau Claire Leader Telegram-obituaries-Rita Gross
  26. ^ "Walt Kichefski". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  27. ^ Garcia, Ana (November 1, 2016). "-'VAMPCHICK' DISCUSSES DOUBLE MURDER FROM BEHIND BARS". Crime Watchers. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  28. ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1933,' Biographical Sketch of Neil McEachin, pg. 234
  29. ^ Lawrence Kestenbaum. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Okeefer to Olchin". politicalgraveyard.com.
  30. ^ "Richard J. Saykally". University of California-Berkeley. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
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