Chetek, Wisconsin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chetek, Wisconsin
City
U.S. Highway 53 at Chetek
Location of Chetek in Barron County, Wisconsin
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Barron
Area
• Total	3.11 sq mi (8.05 km2)
• Land	2.40 sq mi (6.21 km2)
• Water	0.71 sq mi (1.85 km2)
Elevation	1,050 ft (320 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,172
• Density	698.4/sq mi (269.81/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Zip Code	54728
Area code(s)	715 & 534
FIPS code	55-14325
GNIS feature ID	1562995

Chetek is a city in Barron County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,172 at the 2020 census, down from 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 Indians, who referred to the area as zhedeg, meaning "pelicans". This was translated into various spellings, such as "Sheetak", "Shetak", "Shetuk", and "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 began publication, a newspaper still serving the area.
• 1891 – Chetek became a city.
• 1903 – Telephone service was introduced.
• 1904 – The fire department began.
• 1960 – Roselawn Elementary opened.
• 2010 – School District of Chetek consolidated with Weyerhaeuser School District.
• 2017 – An EF3 tornado swept through the town, killing one and injuring 25, as well as damaging and destroying structures.

Geography

Chetek is located at 45°19′7″N 91°39′16″W / 45.31861°N 91.65444°W / 45.31861; -91.65444 (45.318656, -91.65447).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.13 square miles (8.11 km²), of which 2.42 square miles (6.27 km²) is land and 0.71 square miles (1.84 km²) is water.

Chetek is located along U.S. Highway 53, as well as County Roads I and SS.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,221 people, 951 households, and 564 families living in the city. The population density was 917.8 inhabitants per square mile (354.4/km²). There were 1,104 housing units at an average density of 456.2 per square mile (176.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people 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 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.

Transportation

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

Notable people

• Leona E. Tyler, psychologist and President of the American Psychological Association
• J. B. Van Hollen, Wisconsin Attorney General
• John C. Van Hollen, Wisconsin realtor and politician

See also

In Spanish: Chetek (Wisconsin) para niños