Chilton, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chilton, Wisconsin
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Location of Chilton in Calumet County, Wisconsin.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Calumet |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.02 sq mi (10.42 km2) |
| • Land | 3.98 sq mi (10.30 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.12 km2) |
| Elevation | 902 ft (275 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,080 |
| • Estimate
(2024)
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3,720 |
| • Density | 970.57/sq mi (374.74/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
53014
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| Area code(s) | 920 |
| FIPS code | 55-14475 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1563022 |
Chilton is a city in Wisconsin, a state in the United States. It is also the main town, or county seat, of Calumet County. In 2024, about 3,720 people lived here. Part of the city is also located within the larger area known as the Town of Chilton.
Contents
History of Chilton
The first people to settle in Chilton were Moses Stanton, a former slave, and his wife, Catherine, who was Native American. They arrived in January 1845. A few years later, the city grew around his saw mill and a grist mill, which grinds grain.
The village was first called Stantonville. In 1852, a man named John Marygold bought the area. He wanted to rename it "Chilington," after a place in England called Chillington Hall. But when he sent the message to record the new name, the "ing" part was accidentally left out. So, the town was officially recorded as Chilton. Another idea is that the name came from a village called Chilton near Oxford, England.
Chilton became the county seat in December 1853. This meant it was the main town where the county's government offices were located. The first courthouse for the county was built there. Many people living in Chilton during the 1800s had German family backgrounds.
Gravesville: A Nearby Community
Later in the 1900s, Chilton took over a nearby community called Gravesville. Leroy Graves founded Gravesville in 1849, and it was named after him. By 1881, Gravesville was one of the biggest communities in the county, after Chilton and Stockbridge. It had over 400 residents and even tried to become the county seat, but it didn't succeed.
Leroy Graves built a sawmill in 1849, which stayed in Gravesville until 1886. At its busiest, Gravesville had several general stores, a factory that made furniture, and a mill for sawing and planing wood. It also had its own post office.
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Geography of Chilton
Chilton is located at 44°1′50″N 88°9′31″W / 44.03056°N 88.15861°W. It is situated along the South Branch of the Manitowoc River.
The city covers an area of about 4.01 square miles (10.4 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
People in Chilton
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 363 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,132 | 211.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,424 | 25.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,460 | 2.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,630 | 11.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,833 | 12.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,945 | 6.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,203 | 13.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,367 | 7.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,578 | 8.9% | |
| 1970 | 3,030 | 17.5% | |
| 1980 | 2,965 | −2.1% | |
| 1990 | 3,240 | 9.3% | |
| 2000 | 3,708 | 14.4% | |
| 2010 | 3,933 | 6.1% | |
| 2020 | 4,080 | 3.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 3,720 | −5.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
According to the census in 2020, there were 4,080 people living in Chilton.
Population in 2010
In 2010, the city had 3,933 people. Most residents were White (95.8%). A small number of people were from other racial backgrounds, including African American, Native American, Asian, and other races. About 4.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Chilton was 40 years old. About 24% of the residents were under 18 years old.
Getting Around Chilton
Highways
Main roads that lead to Chilton include Wisconsin Highway 57/Wisconsin Highway 32 and U.S. Route 151. Other roads like County Highway G, F, and Y also connect to the city.
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U.S. 151 goes east and west, leading to Chilton, Wisconsin. |
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WIS 32 runs with WIS 57 both south to New Holstein, Wisconsin and north to Green Bay, Wisconsin. |
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WIS 57 goes south along with WIS 32. |
Waterways
The south branch of the Manitowoc River flows through Chilton. Parts of the river can be used by boats, but it is mostly used for fun activities like canoeing. A wider part of the river, called Lake Chilton, is sometimes used for ice skating in the winter.
Schools in Chilton
Chilton's public schools are managed by the Chilton Public Schools district. The district has:
- One high school: Chilton High School
- One elementary school: Chilton Elementary School
- One middle school: Chilton Middle School
There is also a private Roman Catholic elementary school in the city called Chilton Area Catholic School.
Healthcare in Chilton
Ascension Calumet Hospital is a hospital in Chilton that has 25 beds. It provides important medical care for the community. The area has fewer primary care doctors than the state average. This means Chilton is considered a "medical desert" for primary care, where it can be harder to find a doctor.
Famous People from Chilton
- George Baldwin: A former Mayor of Chilton and a businessman.
- Thomas P.M. Barnett: A writer and expert on military strategy.
- Winifred Bonfils: A journalist from the early 1900s.
- Dave Casper: A famous NFL football player who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from Chilton High School in 1970.
- Gerald Francis Clifford: An executive for the Green Bay Packers and a lawyer.
- Lewis H. Cook: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Representative.
- Jerome F. Fox: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Representative.
- Harrison Carroll Hobart: A general in the Union Army during the Civil War. Hobart Park is named after him.
- Frank L. Kersten: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Representative.
- Julius Kiesner: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Representative.
- Francis Peter Leipzig: A Roman Catholic bishop.
- Nicholas J. Lesselyoung: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Representative.
- Thomas Lynch: A U.S. Representative.
- John McMullen: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Senator.
- Robert W. Monk: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Senator, a doctor, and a Mayor of Chilton.
- Carl J. Peik: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Representative.
- Henry Rollman: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Senator.
- Reinhard Schlichting: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Senator.
- Benjamin Sweet: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Senator and a Union Army general.
- Herman C. Wipperman: A politician who served in the Wisconsin State Senator.
Notable Businesses
- Kaytee: A company that makes bird seed, with its main office in Chilton.
- Gravity Park USA: A motocross track located near Chilton.
Radio Stations
- WKZY: This station broadcasts on 92.9 FM and plays popular music. It is licensed to Chilton.
- WMBE (now WZBU): This station used to be on 1530 AM and played polka music. It had studios in Chilton but is currently not broadcasting.
See also
In Spanish: Chilton (Wisconsin) para niños
