Onalaska is a city located in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 14,839. The city is located partially within the Town of Onalaska.
The original village (now city) was platted by Thomas G. Rowe (NY) and John C. Laird (PA) in 1851. In its early days, lumbering and related industries served as a basis for its economy.
The name for the city comes from the poem, "The Pleasures of Hope," by Scottish poet Thomas Campbell.
The City of Onalaska is primarily built on a slightly elevated plain above the Black River, but natural areas include river bottomland as well as high, heavily wooded, scenic bluffs. It is known as "The Sunfish Capital of the World." A manmade reservoir at the city's western edge is known as Lake Onalaska.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.1 km² (9.7 mi²). 23.5 km² (9.1 mi²) of it is land and 1.5 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 5.99% water.
Onalaska lies immediately north of the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 14,839 people, 5,893 households, and 4,036 families residing in the city. The population density is 630.3/km² (1,631.6/mi²). There are 6,070 housing units at an average density of 257.8/km² (667.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 95.17% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.80% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,893 households out of which 33.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% are married couples living together, 8.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% are non-families. 24.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.50 and the average family size is 3.00.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $47,800, and the median income for a family is $57,264. Males have a median income of $41,335 versus $25,316 for females. The per capita income for the city is $24,066. 6.2% of the population and 4.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
Famous Residents (Past and Present)
- Flip Saunders. Boyhood home of former professional U.S. tennis players Tim and Tom Gullickson. Early boyhood home of author, critic, and Pulitzer Prize winner Hamlin Garland, who wrote: Daughter of the Middle Border and Son of the Middle Border.