Crawford County, Wisconsin

County in Wisconsin, United States

U.S. county in Wisconsin

Crawford County

U.S. county

Crawford County Courthouse

Crawford County Courthouse

Map of Wisconsin highlighting Crawford County

Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin

Wisconsin's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Wisconsin
Founded| 1818
Named for| William H. Crawford
Seat| Prairie du Chien
Largest city| Prairie du Chien
Area

• Total| 599 sq mi (1,550 km2)
• Land| 571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
• Water| 29 sq mi (80 km2)  4.8%
Population

(2020)[1]

• Total| 16,113
• Density| 28.2/sq mi (10.9/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 3rd
Website| www.crawfordcountywi.org

Crawford County is a county in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,113.[1] Its county seat is Prairie du Chien.[2]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Adjacent counties
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 2020 census
* 3.2 2020 American Community Survey Estimates
* 3.3 2010 Census
* 4 Transportation
* 4.1 Major highways
* 4.2 Railroads
* 4.3 Buses
* 4.4 Airport
* 5 Communities
* 5.1 Cities
* 5.2 Villages
* 5.3 Towns
* 5.4 Unincorporated communities
* 6 Politics
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 Further reading
* 10 External links

## History

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Along with Brown County, Crawford County is one of Wisconsin's original counties, established by the Michigan Territorial legislature in 1818, and named after William H. Crawford,[3] James Monroe's Treasurer at the time. It originally covered the western half of Wisconsin's present area. In 1836, it was transferred to the newly formed Wisconsin Territory as Michigan prepared for statehood and has gradually been subdivided into its present area.

## Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 599 square miles (1,550 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (4.8%) is water.[4] The county's highest point is near St. James Church in Rising Sun.[5]

Three rivers run through the county: The Kickapoo River, nicknamed "the crookedest river in Wisconsin" was carved out by glacial run-off. It is considered one of the best Class 1 paddling rivers in the Midwest.

* The Wisconsin River borders the county's southern edge. Although it is the state's busiest river, its run within the county is tranquil, with high bluff escarpments and sandy islands.
* The Mississippi River, serves as the county's western border. The steep limestone cliffs are interspersed with bluffs and prairies.

### Adjacent counties

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* Vernon County \- north
* Richland County \- east
* Grant County \- south
* Clayton County, Iowa \- southwest
* Allamakee County, Iowa \- west

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1840| 1,502| | —
1850| 2,498| | 66.3%
1860| 8,068| | 223.0%
1870| 13,075| | 62.1%
1880| 15,644| | 19.6%
1890| 15,987| | 2.2%
1900| 17,286| | 8.1%
1910| 16,288| | −5.8%
1920| 16,772| | 3.0%
1930| 16,781| | 0.1%
1940| 18,328| | 9.2%
1950| 17,652| | −3.7%
1960| 16,351| | −7.4%
1970| 15,252| | −6.7%
1980| 16,556| | 8.5%
1990| 15,940| | −3.7%
2000| 17,243| | 8.2%
2010| 16,644| | −3.5%
2020| 16,113| | −3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[1]

### 2020 census

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As of the census of 2020,[1] the population was 16,113. The population density was 28.2 inhabitants per square mile (10.9/km2). There were 8,658 housing units at an average density of 15.2 per square mile (5.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

### 2020 American Community Survey Estimates

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According to the most recent American Community Survey estimates available in 2020,[11] the five largest ancestries, whether partially claimed or claimed in full, were: 36.37% were of German; 19.15% Irish; 13.87% Norwegian; 7.57% English; and 4.77% Czech or Czechoslovakian.

There were 6,676 households, out of which 20.78% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.30% were married couples living together, 23.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.99% were non-families. 17.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.10% 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. Of all households in the county, 74.4% of households were owner-occupied, and 25.6% were renter-occupied households.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 20, 15.86% from 20 to 34, 10.54% from 35 to 44, 28.38% from 45 to 64, and 23.38% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 108 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.9 males. In total, 52% of the population was male, and 48% of the population was female.

### 2010 Census

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File:USA Crawford County, Wisconsin age pyramid.svg2000 Census Age Pyramid for Crawford County

As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 16,644 people, 6,677 households, and 4,613 families residing in the county. The population density was 12/km2 (30/sq mi). There were 8,480 housing units at an average density of 6/km2 (15/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 96.61% White, 1.78% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.6% were of German, 16.0% Norwegian, 11.4% Irish, 7.2% Czech, 7.2% English and 6.4% United States or American ancestry.

There were 6,677 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.25% under the age of 20, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 20 to 44, 31.16% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.30 males.

## Transportation

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### Major highways

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File:Crawford County Wisconsin Sign WIS60.jpgThe sign for Crawford County on WIS60

* U.S. Highway 18
* U.S. Highway 61
* Highway 27 (Wisconsin)
* File:WIS 35.svg Highway 35 (Wisconsin)
* Highway 60 (Wisconsin)
* Highway 82 (Wisconsin)
* Highway 131 (Wisconsin)
* File:WIS 171.svg Highway 171 (Wisconsin)
* File:WIS 179.svg Highway 179 (Wisconsin)

### Railroads

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* BNSF
* Wisconsin and Southern Railroad

### Buses

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* Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit

### Airport

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Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport (KPDC) serves Crawford County and the surrounding communities.

## Communities

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### Cities

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* Prairie du Chien (county seat)

### Villages

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* Bell Center
* De Soto (Mostly in Vernon County)
* Eastman
* Ferryville
* Gays Mills
* Lynxville
* Mount Sterling
* Soldiers Grove
* Steuben
* Wauzeka

### Towns

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* Bridgeport
* Clayton
* Eastman
* Freeman
* Haney
* Marietta
* Prairie du Chien
* Scott
* Seneca
* Utica
* Wauzeka

### Unincorporated communities

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* Barnum
* Boydtown
* Bridgeport
* Charme
* Easter Rock
* Fairview
* Harmony Hill
* Montgomeryville
* Mount Zion
* North Clayton
* Petersburg
* Pine Knob
* Plugtown
* Reed
* Rising Sun
* Rolling Ground
* Seneca
* Towerville
* White Corners
* Yankeetown

## Politics

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When the county was founded, Crawford County was a Republican stronghold, Having voted for the Republican presidential candidate every year from 1892 to 1908, and having only voted Democrat once from 1892 to 1920. The county leaned Republican for many years, until 1988 when Michael Dukakis won it by a margin of 5.3 percentage points. The county voted for the Democratic presidential candidate every year from 1988 to 2012. In 2016, Donald Trump won Crawford County by 5.4 percentage points. Trump would win it again in 2020 by a larger margin of 7.8 percentage points, marking the first time the county voted for a Republican back to back election cycles since 1984 when Ronald Reagan carried Crawford County.

United States presidential election results for Crawford County, Wisconsin[13] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 4,620  | 53.13% | 3,953  | 45.46%  | 122  | 1.40%
2016 | 3,836  | 49.64% | 3,419  | 44.24%  | 473  | 6.12%
2012 | 3,067  | 39.24%  | 4,629  | 59.22% | 121  | 1.55%
2008 | 2,830  | 35.46%  | 4,987  | 62.49% | 164  | 2.05%
2004 | 3,680  | 43.50%  | 4,656  | 55.04% | 123  | 1.45%
2000 | 3,024  | 40.90%  | 4,005  | 54.17% | 365  | 4.94%
1996 | 2,149  | 30.44%  | 3,658  | 51.81% | 1,253  | 17.75%
1992 | 2,390  | 30.59%  | 3,540  | 45.31% | 1,882  | 24.09%
1988 | 3,238  | 46.98%  | 3,608  | 52.34% | 47  | 0.68%
1984 | 4,412  | 55.87% | 3,436  | 43.51%  | 49  | 0.62%
1980 | 3,934  | 50.08% | 3,392  | 43.18%  | 530  | 6.75%
1976 | 3,393  | 47.11%  | 3,629  | 50.39% | 180  | 2.50%
1972 | 3,705  | 58.67% | 2,487  | 39.38%  | 123  | 1.95%
1968 | 3,316  | 54.09% | 2,391  | 39.00%  | 423  | 6.90%
1964 | 2,726  | 40.91%  | 3,930  | 58.98% | 7  | 0.11%
1960 | 3,719  | 52.60% | 3,342  | 47.26%  | 10  | 0.14%
1956 | 4,123  | 61.71% | 2,522  | 37.75%  | 36  | 0.54%
1952 | 5,323  | 70.15% | 2,256  | 29.73%  | 9  | 0.12%
1948 | 3,465  | 48.23%  | 3,639  | 50.65% | 81  | 1.13%
1944 | 4,199  | 57.12% | 3,130  | 42.58%  | 22  | 0.30%
1940 | 4,667  | 56.28% | 3,595  | 43.35%  | 31  | 0.37%
1936 | 2,857  | 35.91%  | 4,377  | 55.02% | 722  | 9.07%
1932 | 1,943  | 28.71%  | 4,754  | 70.24% | 71  | 1.05%
1928 | 3,452  | 51.18% | 3,238  | 48.01%  | 55  | 0.82%
1924 | 1,687  | 29.82%  | 936  | 16.54%  | 3,035  | 53.64%
1920 | 3,600  | 74.29% | 1,112  | 22.95%  | 134  | 2.77%
1916 | 1,883  | 50.63% | 1,764  | 47.43%  | 72  | 1.94%
1912 | 1,407  | 41.66%  | 1,515  | 44.86% | 455  | 13.47%
1908 | 2,041  | 54.25% | 1,586  | 42.16%  | 135  | 3.59%
1904 | 2,279  | 61.08% | 1,362  | 36.50%  | 90  | 2.41%
1900 | 2,333  | 62.53% | 1,353  | 36.26%  | 45  | 1.21%
1896 | 2,323  | 59.61% | 1,509  | 38.72%  | 65  | 1.67%
1892 | 1,727  | 49.91% | 1,615  | 46.68%  | 118  | 3.41%

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Crawford County, Wisconsin
* Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

## References

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1. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census: Crawford County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 95.
4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
5. ^ United States Geological Survey (2016). Rising Sun Quadrangle, Wisconsin (PDF) (Map). 1:24,000. 7.5-Minute Series. Rising Sun, WI, USA: United States Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 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 2, 2015.
10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
11. ^ "Explore Census Data".
12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.

## Further reading

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* History of Crawford and Richland Counties, Wisconsin. Springfield, Ill.: Union Publishing Company, 1884.

## External links

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* Official Crawford County website
* Crawford County map at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
* Crawford County Health and Demographic Data

Places adjacent to Crawford County, Wisconsin

|  | Vernon County |

|
|

|  |
Allamakee County, Iowa |

Crawford County, Wisconsin

| Richland County
|  |
Clayton County, Iowa | Grant County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States

County seat: Prairie du Chien

City|

* Prairie du Chien

File:Map of Wisconsin highlighting Crawford County.svg

Villages|

* Bell Center
* DeSoto‡
* Eastman
* Ferryville
* Gays Mills
* Lynxville
* Mount Sterling
* Soldiers Grove
* Steuben
* Wauzeka

Towns|

* Bridgeport
* Clayton
* Eastman
* Freeman
* Haney
* Marietta
* Prairie du Chien
* Scott
* Seneca
* Utica
* Wauzeka

CDP|

* Seneca

Other
communities|

* Barnum
* Boydtown
* Bridgeport
* Charme
* Easter Rock
* Fairview
* Harmony Hill
* Montgomeryville
* Mount Zion
* North Clayton
* Petersburg
* Pine Knob
* Plugtown
* Reed
* Rising Sun
* Rolling Ground
* Towerville
* White Corners
* Yankeetown

Indian
reservation|

* Ho-Chunk Indian Reservation‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Wisconsin

Madison (capital)

Topics|

* Outline
* Agriculture
* Dairy industry
* Geography
* Islands
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* Delegations
* History
* People
* Sports
* Symbols
* Tourist attractions

Society|

* Administrative divisions
* Crime
* Culture
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Politics

Regions|

* Apostle Islands
* Central Plain
* Chippewa Valley
* Door Peninsula
* Driftless Area
* Eastern Ridges and Lowlands
* Fox River Valley
* Great River Road
* Lake Superior Lowland
* Northern Highland
* Western Upland

Major metropolitan areas
(pop. over 500,000)|

* Chicago metropolitan area
* Madison metropolitan area
* Milwaukee metropolitan area
* Twin Cities metropolitan area

Largest cities
(pop. over 50,000)|

* Appleton
* Eau Claire
* Green Bay
* Janesville
* Kenosha
* La Crosse
* Madison
* Milwaukee
* Oshkosh
* Racine
* Waukesha
* West Allis

Smaller cities
(pop. 15,000 to 50,000)|

* Beaver Dam
* Beloit
* Brookfield
* Cudahy
* De Pere
* Fitchburg
* Fond du Lac
* Franklin
* Greenfield
* Hartford
* Hudson
* Kaukauna
* Manitowoc
* Marshfield
* Menasha
* Menomonie
* Mequon
* Middleton
* Muskego
* Neenah
* New Berlin
* Oak Creek
* Oconomowoc
* Onalaska
* River Falls
* Sheboygan
* South Milwaukee
* Stevens Point
* Sun Prairie
* Superior
* Watertown
* Wausau
* Wauwatosa
* West Bend
* Wisconsin Rapids

Largest villages
(pop. over 15,000)|

* Ashwaubenon
* Bellevue
* Caledonia
* Fox Crossing
* Germantown
* Howard
* Menomonee Falls
* Mount Pleasant
* Pleasant Prairie

Counties|

* Adams
* Ashland
* Barron
* Bayfield
* Brown
* Buffalo
* Burnett
* Calumet
* Chippewa
* Clark
* Columbia
* Crawford
* Dane
* Dodge
* Door
* Douglas
* Dunn
* Eau Claire
* Florence
* Fond du Lac
* Forest
* Grant
* Green
* Green Lake
* Iowa
* Iron
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Juneau
* Kenosha
* Kewaunee
* La Crosse
* Lafayette
* Langlade
* Lincoln
* Manitowoc
* Marathon
* Marinette
* Marquette
* Menominee
* Milwaukee
* Monroe
* Oconto
* Oneida
* Outagamie
* Ozaukee
* Pepin
* Pierce
* Polk
* Portage
* Price
* Racine
* Richland
* Rock
* Rusk
* Sauk
* Sawyer
* Shawano
* Sheboygan
* St. Croix
* Taylor
* Trempealeau
* Vernon
* Vilas
* Walworth
* Washburn
* Washington
* Waukesha
* Waupaca
* Waushara
* Winnebago
* Wood

Coordinates: 43°14′N 90°56′W﻿ / ﻿43.23°N 90.93°W﻿ / 43.23; -90.93
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