Mercer, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mercer, Wisconsin
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Downtown Mercer in the census-designated place (CDP)
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| Motto(s):
Loon Capital of the World
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Location in Iron County and the state of Wisconsin.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Iron |
| Area | |
| • Total | 184.8 sq mi (478.5 km2) |
| • Land | 168.0 sq mi (435.2 km2) |
| • Water | 16.7 sq mi (43.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,611 ft (491 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 1,732 |
| • Density | 10.3/sq mi (4.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 715 & 534 |
| FIPS code | 55-51200 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1583700 |
Mercer is a town in southern Iron County, Wisconsin, United States. In 2020, about 1,649 people lived there.
Mercer is known as the "Loon Capital of the World." This name helps bring visitors to the area. A study once found that Mercer had the most common loons anywhere. You can see a huge statue of a loon named "Claire de Loon" in front of the Mercer Chamber of Commerce. This statue is 16-foot (4.9 m) tall and weighs 2,000-pound (910 kg)! Mercer also has a fun "Loon Day" festival every year. It includes an arts and crafts fair, live music, and even a loon calling contest.
Contents
Geography of Mercer
Mercer is a large town in terms of area. The United States Census Bureau says the town covers about 184.8 square miles (478.5 km2). Most of this area is land, about 168.0 square miles (435.2 km2). The rest, about 16.7 square miles (43.3 km2), is water. This means Mercer has many lakes and waterways.
People Living in Mercer
In 2000, there were 1,732 people living in Mercer. There were 820 households, which are groups of people living together. About 519 of these were families. The town had about 10 people per square mile.
Many homes in Mercer had people living alone. About 16.5% of homes had someone 65 years or older living by themselves. The average age of people in Mercer was 50 years old.
Education in Mercer
Students in Mercer go to the Mercer School District. There is one school for all students from kindergarten to 12th grade. About 140 students attend this school.
Getting Around Mercer
Several main roads pass through Mercer. US Highway 51 goes through the town. It generally runs north and south. However, in downtown Mercer, it runs east and west. State Highway 47 and State Highway 182 also cross through the town.
Fun Things to Do in Mercer
Tourism is a very important part of Mercer's economy. There are many activities to enjoy all year round. Visitors can go fishing, hunting, and camping. Canoeing, kayaking, and biking are also popular. In winter, people enjoy skiing and snowmobiling. Bird watching is also a favorite activity.
A large part of the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is in Mercer. This is a big area of connected lakes and rivers. There are also 214 other lakes nearby.
The Mercer Area Historical Society is a great place to visit. It is located in the old train station. Inside, you can find a small museum about the town's history. Other buildings on the site include an old jail, a schoolhouse, and a barbershop. There is even a rebuilt caboose!
Every year, on the first Wednesday in August, Mercer hosts its "Loon Day" festival. Local vendors come to sell their crafts and products. There is also food from local restaurants and live music. This yearly event brings many visitors to the town.
Images for kids
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Mercer's central district. The tourist store Wampum Shop is on the left, with the Historical Society in the background
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The Historical Society, housed in the former train depot in the CDP
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A typical Northwoods cabin in the Mercer area
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The Lake of the Falls park contains a beach and campgrounds
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Fishermen departing from a public boat access point on the Flowage
See also
In Spanish: Mercer (condado de Iron, Wisconsin) para niños
