Hartford is a city in Dodge and Washington Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 10,978. The city is growing at estimated rate of 10.66% annually, resulting in an estimated population of 13,700 by January 2008.[3]
The city was the site of an F1 tornado on June 18, 2006, which caused minor damage to homes in the area, and major damage on the city's south side. Lincoln Elementary School and the Silver Bell Motel both suffered roof and structural damage.[4]
History
John Thiel and Nicolas Simon first surveyed the area that would become Hartford in 1843. They returned in 1844 with James and Charles Rossman to build a dam across rapids in the Rubicon River. The Rossmans built a sawmill that harnassed the power of the water to make lumber for the growth of the area. Rails were laid in 1855 that linked Chicago, Milwaukee, La Crosse and Minneapolis until the early 1900s.[5]
Geography
Downtown Hartford on Maxwell Street Day 2006
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.9 square miles (80.1 km²), of which, 30.2 square miles (78.2 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.9 km²) of it (2.36%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 10,978 people, 1,397 households, and 1,152 families residing in the city. The population density was 133.6 people per square mile (51.6/km²). There were 1,438 housing units at an average density of 47.6/sq mi (18.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.88% White, 0.20% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.
There were 1,397 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.7% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.5% were non-families. 14.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.19.
1920's Kissel Fire Truck appears in 2008 4th of July Parade
In the city the age of the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 102.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was estimated at $53,357 [6] and the median income for a family was $73,576. Males had a median income of $42,301 versus $29,727 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,928. About 1.1% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 0.7% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The mayor of Hartford, Scott M. Henke, works with the Common Council on municipal issues. The Common Council is made up of nine aldermen, three each elected from one of three city aldermanic districts.
Economy
Hartford was an early car manufacturing center, home to Kissel before 1926.[7] The city was the home of a Chrysler Marine engine plant, a Libby's beet processing plant, and now many smaller industries, including the headquarters and a manufacturing site for Broan-NuTone, LLC and the health care information technology firm API Healthcare.
Education
The School District of Hartford provides public education to elementary students in Hartford. Lincoln and Rossman Elementary Schools each serve roughly half of the city's kindergarten through fifth grade student population. Both schools are feeders to Central Middle School, which serves all Hartford students in grades 6 through 8.
Secondary education is provided by Hartford Union High School (HUHS), which is independent of the School District of Hartford. It has an enrollment of about 1700 students. The high school serves the city of Hartford, the Town of Hartford, and most of the surrounding communities including Richfield, Erin, Friess Lake, and Neosho.
Several parochial schools are in the community, including St. Killians Roman Catholic School, with 195 students [1] and headed by Fr. David La Plante
Area information
- The city has recently annexed parts of the town of Hartford and other areas, including Pike Lake. The Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is situated on the lake.
- The city has a major industrial park on the outskirts of the city, including a Quad Graphics factory that employs many city residents.
- Hartford is home to the Schauer Arts & Activities Center, a regional arts center that stages professional touring performances, offers arts classes for all ages, and hosts social and business functions.
Notable people
References
External links
