Algoma, Wisconsin Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Algoma, Wisconsin
City
Most of Algoma, taken on June 27, 2020
Location of Algoma in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Kewaunee
Area
• Total	2.50 sq mi (6.48 km²)
• Land	2.46 sq mi (6.36 km²)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.11 km²)
Elevation	581 ft (177 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	3,243
• Density	1,241.04/sq mi (479.07/km²)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code(s)	54201
Area code(s)	920
FIPS code	55-01000
GNIS feature ID	1560759
State Highways

Algoma (/ælˈɡoʊmə/ al-GOH-mə) is a city in Kewaunee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,243 at the 2020 census. Algoma is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Geography
- Transportation
Demographics
- 2010 census
Culture
Notable people
Images for kids
See also

History

The Ahnapee settlement, which eventually became known as Algoma, was founded in 1834 by Joseph McCormick of Manitowoc. In 1851, Irish and English pioneers moved to the area and called the place Wolf River. The wolf was a legendary animal in stories told by the local Potawatomi Indians. (This animal eventually became the mascot of the Algoma High School.) In the Menominee language, the town is known as Ākem, meaning "snowshoe".

In the mid-19th century, immigrants from Germany, Bohemia, Scandinavia, and Belgium settled in the community. The earliest businesses consisted of a sawmill, a general store, and churches. In 1859, the name of the town was changed from Wolf to Ahnapee a corruption of the Chippewa anin api meaning "when". The town which surrounds Algoma still bears this name.

In 1871, the town survived the Peshtigo Fire that swept from Green Bay and destroyed thousands of acres of land. Local residents were prepared to escape from the fire, but torrential rains extinguished it just before it reached Ahnapee.

Growth and development in Ahnapee was greatly advanced in 1892 with the arrival of the Ahnapee and Western Railway, which connected the coastal town with the Kewaunee Green Bay and Western Railroad at Casco Junction. The railroad would connect Algoma with the rest of the nation's rail system for the 94 years. Several factories were built in Ahnapee as a result of the railroad's arrival, including the Ahnapee Seating & Veneer Company. This industry would change owners and names through the years, and operated until 2017 when it closed its doors.

Ahnapee incorporated as a city on February 23, 1879. In 1897, the city was renamed Algoma, a name which may have come from an Indian term for "park of flowers". (See also Algoma (word)). The name was changed by action of the Wisconsin state legislature. As a result, the local newspaper also changed its name from the Ahnapee Record to the Algoma Record. At that time the commercial fishing fleet located in Algoma was the largest on Lake Michigan. Sport fishing is still a major tourist attraction today.

In 2020, Algoma was awarded the All-America City Award for its plan to counter long-running brain drain, which included a student mentoring program, student vocational opportunities, and a community wellness and fitness center.

Geography

Algoma, taken 1:10 AM CDT, March 27, 2012 during ISS Expedition 30.

Algoma is located at 44°36′30″N 87°26′32″W / 44.608226°N 87.442342°W / 44.608226; -87.442342 (44.608226, -87.442342), along Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Ahnapee River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.51 square miles (6.50 km²), of which, 2.47 square miles (6.40 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water.

Transportation

WIS 42 Northbound travels to Sturgeon Bay. South it continues into Kewaunee.
WIS 54 connects with Green Bay westbound.
The Ahnapee State Trail, partly coinciding with the Ice Age Trail, connects Algoma with Forestville to the north. The Ice Age trail continues to Kewaunee, but the Ahnapee Trail connects Algoma to Casco.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	948	—
1890	1,015	7.1%
1900	1,738	71.2%
1910	2,082	19.8%
1920	1,911	−8.2%
1930	2,202	15.2%
1940	2,652	20.4%
1950	3,384	27.6%
1960	3,855	13.9%
1970	4,023	4.4%
1980	3,656	−9.1%
1990	3,353	−8.3%
2000	3,357	0.1%
2010	3,167	−5.7%
2020	3,243	2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,167 people, 1,406 households, and 862 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,282.2 inhabitants per square mile (495.1/km²). There were 1,702 housing units at an average density of 689.1 per square mile (266.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.1% White, 0.9% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 1,406 households, of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.7% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% 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 2.82.

The median age in the city was 44.6 years. 21% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.8% were from 45 to 64; and 20.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

Culture

The 2019 Car Show in downtown Algoma

Every year since 2000, the annual Algoma Car Show is held in the downtown area, featuring classic cars and trucks. The 2019 event was held on June 22.

Shanty Days is an annual celebration held the second weekend of August. There are ethnic foods, music, and beer. Features also include an arts and crafts show, a used-book sale, a parade, a 5k run/walk, wine tasting, fireworks and a street fair.

The Concerts in the Park Series takes place in July and August in Heritage Park. The concerts are sponsored by the city of Algoma and local businesses.

Soar on the Shore Kite and Beach Festival is held annually on the third full weekend of August. Soar on the Shore is a free family fun event with professional kiters, crafts, and other activities for children.