Stevens Point, Wisconsin
City
Nickname(s): 
Gateway to the Pineries, City of Wonderful Water
Location of Stevens Point in Portage County, Wisconsin.
Location of Stevens Point in Portage County, Wisconsin.
Stevens Point is located in Wisconsin
Stevens Point
Stevens Point
Location within Wisconsin
Stevens Point is located in the United States
Stevens Point
Stevens Point
Stevens Point (the United States)
Coordinates: 44°31′23″N 89°33′37″W / 44.52306°N 89.56028°W / 44.52306; -89.56028
Country United States
State Wisconsin
CountyPortage
Government
 • MayorMike Wiza
Area
[1]
 • City18.41 sq mi (47.68 km2)
 • Land17.17 sq mi (44.47 km2)
 • Water1.24 sq mi (3.21 km2)
Elevation
1,089 ft (332 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • City25,666
 • Density1,495.1/sq mi (577.3/km2)
 • Metro
70,377
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Zip code(s)
54481, 54482
Area code(s)715 & 534
FIPS code55-77200[3]
GNIS feature ID1574878[4]
Websitestevenspoint.com

Stevens Point is the county seat of Portage County, Wisconsin, United States.[5] The city was incorporated in 1858.

Its 2020 population of 25,666 makes it the largest city in the county.[6] Stevens Point forms the core of the United States Census Bureau's Stevens Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2020 population of 70,377[7]

Stevens Point is home to the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and a campus of Mid-State Technical College.

History

Historically part of the Menominee homelands, a three-mile strip along the Wisconsin River was ceded to the United States in an 1836 treaty. In 1854 the Menominee made its last treaty with the U.S., gathering on a reservation on the Wolf River. In the Menominee language it is called Pasīpahkīhnen which means "It juts out as land" or "point of land".[8]

Stevens Point was named after George Stevens, who operated a grocery and supply business on the Wisconsin River during the extensive logging of interior Wisconsin. The river was used by logging companies to float logs to market. Loggers on the river found this a convenient stopping point, as the river bends slightly and the operation was from far upstream. The town developed from Stevens's post and was named for him.[9]

In 1845, the postal service came to Stevens Point and with this improvement in communications, the population tripled within 20 years.

In 1847, the first plat was laid out of what became the City of Stevens Point, including the Public Square. The town square was originally an area next to the Wisconsin River where professionals, craftsmen, businessmen, and loggers gathered before their river journeys, bringing revenue to the area. As years went by, the area around the town square grew as logging increased.

Most buildings were first built with readily available wood. Many cases of early fires were reported from 1850–1890. Around 1880, buildings began to be built of brick and sandstone.

In 1916, Lyric Theater was built. It was demolished later.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city encompasses 18.41 square miles (47.7 km2), including 17.17 square miles (44.5 km2) of land 1.24 square miles (3.2 km2) of water.[10] The communities of Plover, Whiting and Park Ridge are adjacent to the city. The city's main hydrology includes the Wisconsin River to the west and the Plover River, which joins the Wisconsin from the northeast at a point to the south, and which supplies much of the urban area's water.

Climate

Climate data for Stevens Point, 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) 55
(13)		 62
(17)		 82
(28)		 90
(32)		 104
(40)		 104
(40)		 108
(42)		 102
(39)		 99
(37)		 94
(34)		 78
(26)		 62
(17)		 108
(42)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 42.5
(5.8)		 48.2
(9.0)		 63.0
(17.2)		 76.3
(24.6)		 84.3
(29.1)		 88.5
(31.4)		 89.8
(32.1)		 88.3
(31.3)		 84.8
(29.3)		 76.9
(24.9)		 61.2
(16.2)		 47.3
(8.5)		 92.0
(33.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 23.6
(−4.7)		 28.1
(−2.2)		 40.0
(4.4)		 53.6
(12.0)		 66.5
(19.2)		 75.8
(24.3)		 79.7
(26.5)		 77.8
(25.4)		 70.2
(21.2)		 56.9
(13.8)		 41.7
(5.4)		 29.0
(−1.7)		 53.6
(12.0)
Daily mean °F (°C) 15.3
(−9.3)		 18.7
(−7.4)		 30.4
(−0.9)		 43.1
(6.2)		 55.9
(13.3)		 65.7
(18.7)		 69.8
(21.0)		 67.9
(19.9)		 59.8
(15.4)		 47.1
(8.4)		 33.7
(0.9)		 21.6
(−5.8)		 44.1
(6.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 7.1
(−13.8)		 9.3
(−12.6)		 20.8
(−6.2)		 32.7
(0.4)		 45.2
(7.3)		 55.6
(13.1)		 59.8
(15.4)		 57.9
(14.4)		 49.5
(9.7)		 37.3
(2.9)		 25.6
(−3.6)		 14.2
(−9.9)		 34.6
(1.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −14.7
(−25.9)		 −11.1
(−23.9)		 −0.4
(−18.0)		 19.7
(−6.8)		 30.9
(−0.6)		 42.8
(6.0)		 49.8
(9.9)		 47.4
(8.6)		 35.4
(1.9)		 24.6
(−4.1)		 9.8
(−12.3)		 −7.0
(−21.7)		 −18.3
(−27.9)
Record low °F (°C) −37
(−38)		 −48
(−44)		 −31
(−35)		 0
(−18)		 14
(−10)		 26
(−3)		 38
(3)		 31
(−1)		 13
(−11)		 6
(−14)		 −13
(−25)		 −32
(−36)		 −48
(−44)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.21
(31)		 1.11
(28)		 1.80
(46)		 3.37
(86)		 4.08
(104)		 5.00
(127)		 3.82
(97)		 3.79
(96)		 3.62
(92)		 2.73
(69)		 1.90
(48)		 1.54
(39)		 33.97
(863)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 11.6
(29)		 11.5
(29)		 6.9
(18)		 4.2
(11)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.3
(0.76)		 1.9
(4.8)		 12.3
(31)		 48.7
(123.56)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 9.6 8.4 9.2 11.5 12.2 12.2 11.0 10.0 10.9 10.8 8.8 10.0 124.6
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 9.0 7.1 4.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 3.1 7.9 33.8
Source 1: NOAA[11]
Source 2: National Weather Service[12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,538—
18701,89523.2%
18804,445134.6%
18907,89677.6%
19009,52420.6%
19108,692−8.7%
192011,37130.8%
193013,62319.8%
194015,77715.8%
195016,5645.0%
196017,8377.7%
197023,47931.6%
198022,970−2.2%
199023,0060.2%
200024,5516.7%
201026,7178.8%
202025,666−3.9%
source:[13]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020,[2] the population was 25,666. The population density was 1,495.1 inhabitants per square mile (577.3/km2). There were 11,386 housing units at an average density of 663.2 per square mile (256.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.6% White, 4.8% Asian, 2.7% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.3% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 4.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The 2020 census population of the city included 40 people incarcerated in adult correctional facilities and 2,595 people in student housing.[14]

According to American Community Survey estimates for 2016-20, the median income for a household in the city was $46,663, and the median income for a family was $73,009. Male full-time workers had a median income of $48,618 versus $32,409 for female workers. The per capita income was $26,127. About 7.0% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under 18 and 8.6% of those 65 or older.[15] Of the population 25 and older, 93.4% were high school graduates or higher and 38.1% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[16]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census[17] 26,717 people, 10,598 households, and 4,944 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,674.0 inhabitants per square mile (646.3/km2). They occupied 11,220 housing units at an average density of 703.0 per square mile (271.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.7% White, 0.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.7% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.6% of the population.

Among households, 21.7% had children under the age of 18, 34.9% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 53.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 26.5 years. 16% of residents were under the age of 18; 31.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 18.5% were from 45 to 64; and 12% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

Education

The Stevens Point Area Public School District serves the city,[18] as do the Pacelli Catholic Schools and Point of Discovery School.

Public elementary schools include Bannach, Jefferson School for the Arts, Kennedy, Madison, McDill, McKinley, Roosevelt, Plover-Whiting, and Washington Service-Learning Center. There are two junior high schools, Ben Franklin and P. J. Jacobs, and two high schools, Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) and Charles F. Fernandez Center for Alternative Learning.

Parochial schools include St. Paul Lutheran School (Pre-K–8), St. Joseph Early Childhood Center, St. Stanislaus (K–2) and St. Stephen Elementary (3–5) Schools, St. Peter Middle School, and Pacelli High School.[19][20]

The city serves as the hub of the Portage County Public Library, which provides educational resources and programming for adults, young adults, and children.

Stevens Point is home to the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP). The university enrolls approximately 9,500 students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) is also in the city.

Transportation

A Soo Line train passing through Stevens Point in 1964

Major highways

Five major roads pass through Stevens Point:

Airport

The city is served by two airports. Commercial service is available through Central Wisconsin Airport (KCWA), midway between Stevens Point and Wausau, in Mosinee. CWA is served by two major airlines. General aviation, charter flights and air cargo operators use the Stevens Point Municipal Airport (KSTE).

Public transit

Stevens Point Transit system provides public transportation.

Religion

The mother house of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis was in Stevens Point.[21] Catholic parishes in the city include Holy Spirit, St. Stephen, St. Casimir, St. Peter, and St. Joseph. Lutheran and other Protestant churches are also present, along with members of the Baháʼí Faith.

A wide variety of Catholic and Protestant churches spread throughout Stevens Point. Many of those churches date back to the early 20th century. Within the past century, other religious groups have made their mark on Stevens Point.[22][23][24]

Economy

Major employers in the area include Pixelle Specialty Solutions paper mill, Associated Banc-Corp, Sentry Insurance, Travel Guard (travel and insurance), Donaldson Company, Skyward (software design), Lands' End, Canadian National Railway, Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Worzalla Publishing, Mason Companies (formerly known as Figis), Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, Herrschners, and the Stevens Point Brewery.

Companies with corporate headquarters in the city include Sentry Insurance, Ki Mobility, Delta Dental of Wisconsin, and Skyward. Associated Bank, Canadian National, AIG, and the Donaldson Company have regional headquarters in Stevens Point.

Business developments in the area include Crossroads Commons, Portage County Business Park, Venture Drive and Corporate Center, Stevens Point Industrial Park, Eastridge, Parkdale Plazas, Stevens Points East Side and Downtown Stevens Point.

At one time, Midstate Airlines had its headquarters in Stevens Point.[25]

Culture

Stevens Point is home to a community theater group, Central Wisconsin Area Community Theatre (cwACT); a children's museum; and a group of museums run by the Portage County Historical Society, including the Beth Israel Congregation Museum, in the former synagogue. (The synagogue has been defunct since 1985.)[26]

Religion plays a significant role in the community. In 1847, the first recorded religious service was held near the town square with a pastor from Norway. As time went by, more religions joined the town square, and by 1900, Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist churches and Jewish synagogues were established within one mile of the downtown area.

The Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra (CWSO) presents four concerts each season.[27]

Most events happen near the downtown area, many at the town square, which was rebuilt in 2011. These include the annual Riverfront Rendezvous, Corn on the Curb, sculpture park summer celebration, Fourth of July parade, Krazy Days and Gather at the River.[28]

The town square hosts a farmers' market Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

The downtown area was designated a "Wisconsin Main Street Community" and offers specialty shops and restaurants. Buildings in downtown Stevens Point are made from materials including Lake Superior limestone, brick, and red granite. City and county administrative offices are downtown, as are a bank regional headquarters and two insurance companies. Downtown also offers night life on "the Square" that is popular with college students and a farmers' market that has been selling fresh produce for over 100 years. The farmers' market is open early summer through early fall.

Stevens Point hosts the world's largest trivia contest, run by UWSP's radio station, WWSP-FM. The contest, which typically involves over 12,000 contestants on more than 400 teams, is held every year in April and lasts 54 consecutive hours, from Friday to Sunday.

The city was the setting for the first three seasons of the Disney Channel series Liv and Maddie.[29]

Recreation

The area hosts 20 developed parks and a 26-mile (42 km) bicycle and jogging trail (the Green Circle Trail) that surrounds and winds through the city.[30] The Ice Age National Scenic Trail also runs through the city. An 18-hole Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed golf course and country club, SentryWorld, is at the Sentry Insurance Home Office. The Schmeeckle Reserve, a nature reserve, is on the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point campus. Right outside of Schmeeckle is the Stevens Point Sculpture Park, which displays sculpture by local artists.

The area also has Goerke Park, which includes a football stadium where high school and college athletes compete. An outdoor track is used by the same groups.

The Backwaters Paddle Quest canoe adventure challenge has been held in Stevens Point on the Wisconsin River since 2002, usually during the second week of August.[31] Players paddle their crafts over two days past checkpoints along the river, encountering characters who act out a storyline that continues year to year.

Iverson Park is a recreational park course that lies on the green circle trail and Plover River in Stevens Point. It spans over 100 acres, and contains a swimming area, hiking trails, and canoe and recreation activities rental.[32]

City rankings

Stevens Point was listed in Relocate-America's Top 10 Best Places to Live in 2007 and 2008 for the United States and listed in the Top 100 for 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.[33] It was listed in the Top Ten Recreation cities in America in 2010.[34] In 2009 CNNMoney.com ranked Stevens Point the 18th best place to retire.[35] The magazine stated that there was "plenty for retirees to do in the summertime" as well as the winter, including hiking, biking and skiing the Green Circle Trail.

Notable people

Sister cities

See also

References

  1. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census: Stevens Point city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. ↑ "American FactFinder". Factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  7. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census: Stevens Point WI, Micro Area". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  8. ↑ Hoffman, Mike. "Menominee Place Names in Wisconsin". The Menominee Clans Story. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  9. ↑ Archived January 2, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ "2020 Gazetteer Files". census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Stevens PT, WI". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  12. ↑ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Green Bay". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ Quickfacts.census.gov Archived April 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine - Stevens Point, WI - accessed 2012-03-07
    City of Stevens Point Comprehensive Plan 2005 Archived April 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine - Population and housing methodologies - Appendix D, p.2 - accessed 2012-03-07
    Portage County Historical Society of Wisconsin Archived May 1, 2021, at the Wayback Machine - county time line, 1827 thru 1998 - accessed 2012-03-07
  14. ↑ "Group Quarters Population, 2020 Census: Stevens Point city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Stevens Point city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Stevens Point city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Stevens Point Area Public School District - District Home". Wisp.k12.wi.us. February 4, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  19. ↑ St. Paul Online
  20. ↑ "SPACS General Brochure". Spacs.k12.wi.us. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  21. ↑ NEWS, STEVENS POINT (January 16, 2019). "Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis leaving Stevens Point after over 100 years of service". Stevens Point News. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  22. ↑ Bratz, Mary (June 28, 2006). "Love, unity, forgiveness govern the relationship of God's creatures". Stevens Point (Wisconsin) Journal. Archived from the original on May 18, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  23. ↑ Stokes, Jim (Spring 1997). "The Story of Joseph in Five Religious Traditions". World Order. 28 (3): 35–46.
  24. ↑ Rowe, T. (June 2007). "T. Rowe, Ph.D". Faculty Webpage. UWSP Department of Psychology. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  25. ↑ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 30, 1985. 98. "Head Office: 3101 Dixon Street, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481, USA."
  26. ↑ "Portage County Historical Society". portage.oh.us. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  27. ↑ Archived June 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  28. ↑ "Portage County Cultural Festival~ Stevens Point, WI". Portagecountyculturalfestival.org. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  29. ↑ "'Liv and Maddie' Executive Producers Talk Celebrating Wisconsin, Season 2 Premiere". The Pointer. University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. September 19, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Green Circle Trail". greencircletrail.org. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Paddle Quest Challenges Nationwide Canoeists". Wsaw.com. August 8, 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Iverson Park". TravelWisconsin.
  33. ↑ "top-100-cities". RelocateAmerica. Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  34. ↑ Archived August 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  35. ↑ "25 Best Places to Retire". CNN. September 24, 2009. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  36. 1 2 "Interactive City Directory". sister-cities.org. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
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