Chetek is a city in Barron County,

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

, United States. The population was 2,221 at the 2010 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Chetek.

History

The original inhabitants of the area were the

Ojibwa The Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, or Saulteaux are an Anishinaabe people in what is currently southern Canada, the northern Midwestern United States, and Northern Plains. According to the U.S. census, in the United States Ojibwe people are one of ...

Indians, who referred to the area as ''zhedeg'', meaning

pelican Pelicans (genus ''Pelecanus'') are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before ...

s. This was translated into various spellings, such as Sheetak, Shetak, Shetuk, Chetack, until the first post office was opened in 1872. The spelling was then standardized to "Chetek." In 1872, the Omaha Railroad began service to Chetek, the Knapp-Stout logging camp was established, and the first log schoolhouse was built. Other important dates: * 1881 – Medical care became available * 1882 – ''

The Chetek Alert ''The Chetek Alert'' is a weekly newspaper published in the Barron County, Wisconsin city of Chetek Chetek is a city in Barron County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,221 at the 2010 census. The city is located partially within the ...

'' began publication, a newspaper still serving the area * 1891 – Became a city * 1903 – Telephone service was introduced * 1904 – Fire Department beganChetek, Wisconsin - Visitor Information
* 1960 – Roselawn Elementary opened * 2010 – School District of Chetek consolidates with Weyerhaeuser School District * 2017 – EF3 tornado swept through the town, killing one and injuring 25, as well as damaging and destroying structures.

Geography

Chetek is located at (45.318656, -91.65447). According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy An economy is an area of th ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Chetek is along U.S. Highway 53, as well as County Roads I and SS.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...

of 2010, there were 2,221 people, 951 households, and 564 families living in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical ...

was . There were 1,104 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.4%

White White is the lightness, lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully diffuse reflection, reflect and scattering, scatter all the ...

, 0.2%

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...

, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...

or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. There were 951 households, of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.7% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age in the city was 44.7 years. 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 25% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.9% male and 54.1% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 2,180 people, 939 households, and 568 families living in the city. The

was 925.7 people per square mile (358.2/km²). There were 1,052 housing units at an average density of 446.7 per square mile (172.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.62%

, 0.09%

Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ha ...

, 0.32% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.05%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of Ocea ...

, 0.09% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population. There were 939 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were

living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.4% 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 2.81. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $31,270, and the median income for a family was $40,114. Males had a median income of $28,375 versus $18,906 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the city was $17,922. About 9.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Chetek Municipal–Southworth Airport (Y23) serves the city and surrounding communities.

Notable people

Leona E. Tyler Leona Elizabeth Tyler (May 10, 1906 – April 29, 1993) was an American psychologist and president of the American Psychological Association in 1973. Early years Leona Tyler was born in Chetek, Wisconsin on May 10, 1906. Her father, Leon ...

, American psychologist and President of the American Psychological Association * J. B. Van Hollen, Wisconsin Attorney General *

John C. Van Hollen John C. Van Hollen (June 27, 1933) is a Wisconsin businessman and politician. Born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, he grew up in Chetek, Wisconsin. He served in the United States military during the Korean War and graduated from University of Wis ...

, Wisconsin realtor and politician

References

External links

*
Chetek Chamber of Commerce

Chetek - Weyerhaeuser Area School District
{{authority control Cities in Wisconsin Cities in Barron County, Wisconsin