kids encyclopedia robot

Eau Claire County, Wisconsin facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Eau Claire County
Eau Claire County Courthouse, February 2015
Eau Claire County Courthouse, February 2015
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Eau Claire County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
Founded 1856
Named for Eau Claire River
Seat Eau Claire
Largest city Eau Claire
Area
 • Total 645 sq mi (1,670 km2)
 • Land 638 sq mi (1,650 km2)
 • Water 7.3 sq mi (19 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 98,736
 • Estimate 
(2020)
105,260
 • Density 153.08/sq mi (59.10/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 3rd
Eau Claire County Wisconsin B
Fields in Eau Claire County

Eau Claire County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 105,710. Its county seat is Eau Claire. The county took its name from the Eau Claire River.

Eau Claire County is included in the Eau Claire, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Eau Claire-Menomonie WI Combined Statistical Area.

History

Eau Claire county was originally set off as the Town of Clearwater in Chippewa County in 1855. The name was changed to the Town of Eau Claire on March 31, 1856. The entire town was separated as Eau Claire County by an act of the Wisconsin State Legislature on October 6, 1856.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 645 square miles (1,670 km2), of which 638 square miles (1,650 km2) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km2) (1.1%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics and religion statistics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 3,162
1870 10,769 240.6%
1880 19,993 85.7%
1890 30,673 53.4%
1900 31,692 3.3%
1910 32,721 3.2%
1920 35,771 9.3%
1930 41,087 14.9%
1940 46,999 14.4%
1950 54,187 15.3%
1960 58,300 7.6%
1970 67,219 15.3%
1980 78,805 17.2%
1990 85,183 8.1%
2000 93,142 9.3%
2010 98,736 6.0%
2020 (est.) 105,260 6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020
USA Eau Claire County, Wisconsin age pyramid
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Eau Claire County

As of the census of 2000, there were 93,142 people, 35,822 households, and 22,281 families residing in the county. The population density was 146 inhabitants per square mile (56/km2). There were 37,474 housing units at an average density of 59 per square mile (23/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.96% White, 0.52% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.4% were of German, 21.5% Norwegian and 7.0% Irish ancestry. 94.2% spoke English, 1.6% Hmong, 1.6% Spanish and 1.0% German as their first language.

There were 35,822 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.60% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.80% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 17.10% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

In 2017, there were 1,191 births, giving a general fertility rate of 52.8 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the tenth lowest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Of these, 99 of the births occurred at home, the third highest for Wisconsin counties.

In 2010, the largest religious groups by reported number of adherents were Catholic at 16,240 adherents, ELCA Lutheran at 15,067 adherents, Missouri Synod Lutheran at 6,953 adherents, LCMC Lutheran at 3,355 adherents, United Methodist at 2,177 adherents, non-denominational Christian at 1,557 adherents, Lutheran Brethren at 1,391 adherents, United Church of Christ at 1,046 adherents, Assemblies of God at 969 adherents, Amish at 794 adherents, Wisconsin Synod Lutheran at 757 adherents, ELS Lutheran at 708 adherents, and LDS (Mormon) at 703 adherents.

Transportation

Major highways

  • I-94.svg Interstate 94
  • US 10.svg U.S. Highway 10
  • US 12.svg U.S. Highway 12
  • US 53.svg U.S. Highway 53
  • WIS 27.svg Highway 27 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 37.svg Highway 37 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 85.svg Highway 85 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 93.svg Highway 93 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 124.svg Highway 124 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 312.svg Highway 312 (Wisconsin)

Railroads

Buses

  • Eau Claire Transit
  • List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin

Airport

Eau Claire county is served by the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (KEAU).

Recreation

Attractions include the Chippewa Valley Museum in Eau Claire, Dells Mill Museum in Augusta, Dells Mill Water Powered Museum in Augusta, the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp in Eau Claire, and the Sarge Boyd Bandshell in Eau Claire.

Communities

Eau Claire County MCDs with color
Political map of Eau Claire County, showing major and minor civil divisions, and adjacent counties. Note: A small portion of the city of Eau Claire is in Chippewa Co.

Cities

Villages

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Historical community
§ Now part of the City of Eau Claire

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Eau Claire para niños

kids search engine
Eau Claire County, Wisconsin Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.