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DeForest, Wisconsin
Village
Deforest welcome sign
Deforest welcome sign
Location of DeForest in Dane County, Wisconsin
Location of DeForest in Dane County, Wisconsin
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
County Dane
Area
 • Total 8.57 sq mi (22.20 km2)
 • Land 8.50 sq mi (22.01 km2)
 • Water 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2)
Elevation
948 ft (289 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 10,811
 • Density 1,343/sq mi (518.53/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s) 608
FIPS code 55-19350
GNIS feature ID 1563756
Website www.vi.deforest.wi.us

DeForest is a village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Yahara River. The population was 10,811 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Name

The village was named for Isaac De Forest, who in 1856 bought the land on which the village sits today. Its name was long spelled "De Forest," but has since been changed to "DeForest."

Geography

DeForest is located at 43°14′45″N 89°20′45″W / 43.24583°N 89.34583°W / 43.24583; -89.34583 (43.245751, -89.345869).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 7.49 square miles (19.40 km2), of which, 7.43 square miles (19.24 km2) of it is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1910 431
1920 493 14.4%
1930 540 9.5%
1940 598 10.7%
1950 805 34.6%
1960 1,223 51.9%
1970 1,911 56.3%
1980 3,367 76.2%
1990 4,882 45.0%
2000 7,368 50.9%
2010 8,936 21.3%
2020 10,811 21.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,936 people, 3,400 households, and 2,446 families living in the village. The population density was 1,202.7 inhabitants per square mile (464.4/km2). There were 3,499 housing units at an average density of 470.9 per square mile (181.8/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 93.3% White, 2.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 1.2% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.6% of the population.

There were 3,400 households, of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.1% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the village was 35.6 years. 29% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 8.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

DeForest Area Public Library

DeForest Area Public Library serves the DeForest area, including the towns of Windsor and Vienna and the village of DeForest. It is a member of the South Central Library System.

As of 2009, the library served a population of 17,142, with a collection of over 81,000 items, including books, serials, audios, videos and kits. Circulation topped 405,000 with 200,000 library visits, and 21,000 users of public computers.

The library building, completed in 2002, was modeled after the medieval Stavekirke to highlight the Norwegian heritage of the area. A Wisconsin artist designed the dragons that adorn the roof.

Religion

Local churches include:

  • DeForest Evangelical Free Church
  • Christ Lutheran Church
  • Harvest Church (Assemblies of God)
  • Lord of Love Lutheran Church
  • Norway Grove Memorial Lutheran Church
  • St. Olaf's Catholic Church
  • Moravian Church
  • United Church of Christ

Education

The DeForest Area School District schools include:

  • DeForest Area High School
  • DeForest Area Middle School
  • Harvest Intermediate School (under construction, opening September 2021)
  • Eagle Point Elementary School
  • Windsor Elementary School
  • Yahara Elementary School
  • Holum Center Half Day Kindergarten

In 2009, DeForest Superintendent Dr. Jon Bales was honored by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators as Wisconsin's 2009 Superintendent of the Year.

Transportation

Road

DeForest is double bypassed by I-39/90/94 to the west, with an exit at CTH-V (this area features most of the city's hotels and restaurants). US-51 also has an exit located at CTH-V, on the city's east side.

Railroad

A single rail train track runs north-south through DeForest. This is only used by freight trains; no passenger rail serves DeForest.

Airport

DeForest is close to Dane County Regional Airport, which provides both commercial and general aviation flights.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: DeForest para niños

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