Eau Claire, Wisconsin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
 It has been suggested that Eau Claire City Council be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Barstow St.
Barstow St.
Location within the state of Wisconsin.
Location within the state of Wisconsin.
Location within Eau Claire County (pink-shaded portion is within Chippewa County).
Location within Eau Claire County (pink-shaded portion is within Chippewa County).
Coordinates: 44°48′53″N 91°29′34″W / 44.81472, -91.49278
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Counties Eau Claire, Chippewa
Government
 - Type Council-manager
 - City manager Mike Huggins
 - City council Eau Claire City Council
Area
 - City 32.4 sq mi (83.8 km²)
 - Land 30.3 sq mi (78.4 km²)
 - Water 2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)  6.46%
Elevation 787 ft (240 m)
Population (2000)
 - City 61,704
 - Density 1,910.9/sq mi (738.8/km²)
 - Metro 148,337
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Area code(s) 715
FIPS code 55-22300[1]
GNIS feature ID 1564402[2]
Website: www.ci.eau-claire.wi.us

Eau Claire is a city located in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 61,704 as of the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Eau Claire County,[3] although a small portion of the city lies in neighboring Chippewa County. Eau Claire is the principal city of the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a part of the Eau-Claire-Menomonie Combined Statistical Area.

America's Promise named the city as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in 2007.[4] Eau Claire was among the first Tree Cities in Wisconsin, having been recognized as such since 1980.[5]

Contents

[edit] Name

"Eau Claire" is the singularized form of the original French name, "Eaux Claires", meaning "Clear Waters", for the Eau Claire River. According to local legend, the river was so named because early French explorers journeying down the rain-muddied Chippewa River, happened upon the Eau Claire River, excitedly exclaiming "Voici l'eau claire!" ("Here [is] clear water!"), the city motto, which appears on the city seal.

[edit] Government

Since switching from a mayoral system in 1948, Eau Claire has had a city manager-city council form of government. The Eau Claire City Council currently consists of five members elected from districts, five at-large from the entire city, and an elected city council president who is also elected at-large. The city council president is David Adler.

[edit] Economy

The lumber industry drove Eau Claire's growth in the late 19th century. At one time, there were 22 sawmills operating in the city.[clarify]

Since the loss of several thousand manufacturing jobs in the early 1990s (due to the closure of the local Uniroyal tire plant), the city's economy was reshaped by the opening of a number of plants engaged in the construction of computer hardware, such as Hutchinson Technology's largest plant, and is home to IDEXX Computer Systems, a division of IDEXX Laboratories.

Eau Claire is home to a few national/regional companies including Cascades Tissue Group, Menards, National Presto Industries, Inc., Midwest Manufacturing, Silver Spring Gardens, Realityworks, and Erbert & Gerbert's.

Today retail, health care and education are the primary employment sectors in Eau Claire.

[edit] Geography

Graham-Riverside Building
Water St.
Views of Eau Claire

Eau Claire is located at 44°48′53″N, 91°29′34″W (44.814627, -91.492677)[6], approximately 90 miles (145 km) east of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The city is located on the northern fringes of the Driftless Zone.

The city was founded near the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers as three separate settlements. The main section of downtown is on the site of the original village. West Eau Claire, founded in 1856, was across the river near the present-day county courthouse, and incorporated in 1872. Between a mile and a half and two miles downstream, the Daniel Shaw & Co. lumber company founded Shawtown, which was annexed by the 1930s.[citation needed] By the 1950s, the entire city had spread far enough to the east to adjoin Altoona.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.37 square miles (83.8 km2), of which, 30.28 square miles (78.4 km2) of it is land and 2.08 square miles (5.4 km2) of it (6.46%) is water.

The terrain of the city is characterized by the river valleys, with steep slopes leading from the center to the eastern and southern sections of the city. The lands into which the urban area is currently expanding are increasingly hilly.

There are two lakes in the city, Dells Pond, and Half Moon Lake. Dells Pond is a reservoir created by a hydroelectric dam, and was formerly used as a holding pool for logs. Half Moon Lake is an oxbow lake created as part of the former course of the Chippewa River.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Avg high °F (°C) 24 (-4) 27 (-2) 40 (4) 57 (13) 70 (21) 79 (26) 84 (28) 82 (27) 73 (22) 60 (15) 41 (5) 28 (-2) 55 (12)
Avg low °F (°C) 5 (-15) 7 (-13) 20 (-6) 34 (1) 46 (7) 56 (13) 61 (16) 58 (14) 50 (10) 39 (3) 25 (-3) 12 (-11) 34 (1)
Rainfall in inches (millimeters) 1.1 (28) 1.1 (28) 1.8 (46) 2.7 (69) 4.0 (102) 4.7 (119) 3.4 (86) 3.7 (94) 3.6 (91) 2.5 (64) 1.7 (43) 1.2 (30) 31.5 (800)
Source: Weatherbase[7]

[edit] Demographics

[edit] Population

As of the 2000 census[1], there were 61,704 people, 24,016 households, and 13,569 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,037.8 people per square mile (786.8/km²). There were 24,895 housing units at an average density of 822.2/sq mi (317.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.44% White, 0.70% African American, 0.55% American Indian, 3.66% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 24,016 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.5% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 22.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

[edit] Income

The median income for a household in the city was $36,399, and the median income for a family was $49,320. Males had a median income of $32,503 versus $23,418 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,230. About 5.5% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Metropolitan area

Together with surrounding communities, the Eau Claire metropolitan area is home to 114,483 people, according to the 2000 census. The city forms the core of the United States Census Bureau's Eau Claire Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties (composite 2000 population: 148,337). Together with the Menomonie Micropolitan Statistical Area (which includes all of Dunn County) to the west, the Eau Claire metropolitan area, forms the Census Bureau's Eau Claire-Menomonie Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a consolidated 2000 population of 188,195. 2004 population estimates place the two-county Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls metropolitan population at 155,680, and the expanded Eau Claire-Menomonie CMSA population at 197,417.[8]

[edit] Religion

Temple Sholom synagogue in Eau Claire
Christ Church Cathedral in Eau Claire

Eau Claire is home to a large number of religious congregations:

[edit] Education

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Eau Claire is home to two public colleges, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-EC), and three campuses of the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). And it is home to two private colleges, Immanuel Lutheran College (Church of the Lutheran Confession Synod), and a campus of Globe University/Minnesota School of Business.

There are two private high schools in Eau Claire: Regis High School, affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church; and Immanuel Lutheran High School, affiliated with Immanuel Lutheran College.

There are two public high schools in the Eau Claire Area School District: Memorial High School (Old Abes); and North High School (Huskies).

There are also two charter high schools in Eau Claire: McKinley Charter School, a non-traditional school serving 120 students; and Technology Charter School, a non-traditional school serving 193 students.

There are three public middle schools in the Eau Claire Area School District: Delong Middle School (Knights); Northstar Middle School (Polar Bears); and South Middle School (Falcons).

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Airports

Eau Claire is served by the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.

[edit] Mass transit

[edit] Major highways

[edit] Sports

The Eau Claire Express is a baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League, an NCAA summer baseball league. Their home games are played at Carson Park in Eau Claire.

The Eau Claire Cavaliers, an amateur baseball team, also plays home games at Carson Park.[10]

The Chippewa Valley Predators and the Eau Claire Crush, adult amateur football teams in the Northern Elite Football League, play their home games at Carson Park.

Eau Claire also has a Figure Skating club at Hobbs Ice Arena.

[edit] Media and entertainment

[edit] Print media

The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram[11] has a daily circulation of 26,901 during the week and a circulation rate of 38,824 for the Sunday paper. Volume One,[12] an alt-weekly magazine published twice a month with a circulation rate of 15,000, has general and local culture articles.

[edit] Television

Nielson Market Research lists Eau Claire/La Crosse as the 127th largest television market area.[13] The major broadcast stations serving the area are:

[edit] Radio

FM

AM

[edit] Recreation

There are several large parks in the city: Putnam Park, which follows the course of Putnam Creek and Little Niagara Creek east from the UWEC campus; Carson Park, situated in the middle of an oxbow lake; Owen Park, along the Chippewa River, home to a large bandshell where open air concerts are held throughout the summer; and Phoenix Park, on the site of the old Phoenix Steel plant at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa River. Phoenix park is the host of a weekly farmers market and open air concerts during summer months. Riverview Park is also a common summer swimming destination, as well as one of the local boat landings. This park includes picnicking areas and grills, as well as public restrooms.

The City of Eau Claire also operates a public pool, Fairfax pool, during the summer months.

Eau Claire is at the head of the Chippewa River State Trail, a biking and recreation trail that follows the lower course of the Chippewa River.

[edit] Notable natives & residents

See Also

[edit] General

[edit] Musicians

[edit] Media

[edit] Sports

[edit] Fictional

[edit] Sister Cities

Eau Claire is sistered with Lismore, New South Wales, a rural town in Australia.[24]

In July 2007, Eau Claire also sistered with Miramar, Costa Rica, a rural town in the Montes de Oro canton within the Puntarenas Province of Costa Rica.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ http://www.americaspromise.org/100Best.aspx?id=968
  5. ^ Your State Poster Contest Coordinator
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  7. ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Eau Claire, Wisconsin".
  8. ^ 2004 Wisconsin Bluebook data
  9. ^ Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
  10. ^ Eau Claire Cavaliers
  11. ^ Leader-Telegram Online
  12. ^ Volume One
  13. ^ http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.3437240b94cacebc3a81e810d8a062a0/?vgnextoid=130547f8b5264010VgnVCM100000880a260aRCRD
  14. ^ Ann Landers
  15. ^ Carson Park article, from the UW-Eau Claire Club Baseball website
  16. ^ Hank Aaron tri-fold brochure from the Eau Claire Express website. (.pdf)
  17. ^ "Henry Aaron honored in city where he broke barriers in baseball - Eau Claire, WI" article from Jet, 5 Sept. 1994. Retrieved via findarticles.com 13 Jan. 2007.
  18. ^ "Hammerin' Hank still stands tall" article from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 3 April 2002. Retrieved from findarticles.com, 13 Jan. 2007.
  19. ^ "Welcome back, Hank" 20 October 2006 Eau Claire Leader-Telegram article. Two more stories referring to this visit, although both more germane to Hank Aaron's activities as a campaigner for Jim Doyle's gubernatorial reëlection: "Hank Aaron goes to bat for Doyle" 19 Oct. 2006"Aaron stumps for Doyle in city" 20 Oct. 2006
  20. ^ "Governor Doyle and Hank Aaron Visit Eau Claire" article on WEAU-TV website, viewed 13, Jan. 2007.
  21. ^ Joe Torre: A Man for All Seasons
  22. ^ Joe Torre - BR Bullpen
  23. ^ New Page 2
  24. ^ http://www.liscity.nsw.gov.au/view_doc.asp?id=68&cat=168

[edit] External links

[edit] General

[edit] History

[edit] Metropolitan area

[edit] Maps

[edit] Tourism and Entertainment

v • d • e
Eau Claire, Wisconsin (metro)
Surrounding
communities
(over 10,000)
(under 10,000)
Flag of Wisconsin
Counties
*town ‡village °city §CDP
v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Chippewa County, Wisconsin
County seat: Chippewa Falls
Cities

Bloomer | Chippewa Falls | Cornell | Eau Claire | Stanley
Villages
Towns
CDPs
v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
County seat: Eau Claire
Cities

Altoona | Augusta | Eau Claire
Villages
Towns
CDP
Unincorporated
communities
Flag of Wisconsin
v • d • e

 
State of Wisconsin
Madison (capital)
Topics
Regions
Largest cities
Smaller cities
Counties
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eau_Claire,_Wisconsin"
Personal tools