Rice Lake is a city in Barron County in
the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the
city had a total population of 8,320. The city is located mostly within the Town of Rice Lake.
Geography
Rice Lake is located at 45°29′54″N, 91°44′19″W (45.498408,
-91.738844)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area
of 25.0 km² (9.7 mi²). 22.4 km² (8.6 mi²) of it is
land and 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.66% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 8,320 people, 3,615 households, and 2,107 families residing
in the city. The population density was 372.2/km² (963.9/mi²). There were 3,799
housing units at an average density of 170.0/km² (440.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.91% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.
There were 3,615 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were
non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or
older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from
45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,808, and the median income for a family was $41,789. Males had a median
income of $30,039 versus $20,774 for females. The per capita income for the city was
$18,585. About 6.4% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty
line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
Public Schools
RLHS is the home of the Warriors. The school colors are blue and gold. The
mascot used to be an Indianhead, but after disputes between some schools and the Native American community, the new unofficial mascot is simply a star. Rumors of a
new name and mascot have circulated as of late. One proposal involves changing the name and mascot to the Rice Lake Rednecks as
this reflects the majority population of the school. The mascot would be a big burly trucker-type with a black-and-red checked
flannel shirt, grease-stained blue jeans and Carhartt jacket. Unsubstantiated rumors state that Jeff Foxworthy or Larry the Cable
Guy have been asked to do a promo. The new school motto would be “Git R Done." Also being considered are "The Woodchucks", "Back
Woods Wood Chucks", "The Chucks", and various other connotations referring to the backwoods location in the middle of
nowhere.
- Rice Lake Middle School
- Hilltop Elementary
- Tainter Elementary
- Lincoln Elementary
- Jefferson Elementary
- Haugen Elementary
Private Schools
- St. Joseph School grades PRE-8
University
Colleges
Economy
Rice Lake serves as a shopping hub for surrounding rural communities of Barron, Cameron, Chetek, Shell Lake, Cumberland,
Spooner, Ladysmith and their respective townships. While the population is only just over 8,000, it accommodates a much larger
daily population as residents from surrounding smaller towns shop and work there. Aside from commerce, Rice Lake serves as an
industrial, educational, and medical hub for the subregion. If recent growth continues it may prove to be an emerging
micropolitan area.
Industry
- American Excelsior Company
- Holiday Kitchens
- Johnson Truck Bodies
- Mastercraft Industries
- McCain Foods
- Rice Lake Weighing Systems
- Shadow Plastics
Medical Facilities
- Lakeview Medical Center
- Marshfield Clinic - Indianhead Center
- Mayo Health Systems
External links
Coordinates:
45.498408° N 91.738844°
W
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