De Pere, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
De Pere, Wisconsin
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De Pere Dam on the Fox River at De Pere
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| Motto(s):
"Runs Deeper"
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Location of De Pere in Brown County, Wisconsin
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Brown |
| Incorporated (village) | March 6, 1857 |
| Incorporated (city) | March 31, 1883 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.77 sq mi (33.09 km2) |
| • Land | 11.96 sq mi (30.97 km2) |
| • Water | 0.82 sq mi (2.12 km2) |
| Elevation | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 25,410 |
| • Density | 2,088.49/sq mi (806.35/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
54115
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| Area code(s) | 920 |
| FIPS code | 55-19775 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1563754 |
| Website | https://www.deperewi.gov/ |
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De Pere (pronounced dee-PEER) is a city located in Brown County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the larger Green Bay metropolitan area. In 2020, about 25,410 people lived here.
Contents
Discover De Pere's Past
De Pere has a long and interesting history. The first European to visit this area was Jean Nicolet in 1634–35. At that time, many people lived here because of the great fishing spots on the Fox River.
Early European Settlements
In 1671, a French Jesuit explorer named Père Claude-Jean Allouez started the St. Francis Xavier Mission. This mission was built near the last rapids of the Fox River before it flows into Green Bay. People called this spot "Rapides Des Pères," which means "rapids of the fathers." This name eventually became "De Pere."
Becoming a Town and City
The modern city of De Pere began in 1836. That's when John Penn Arndt and Charles Tullar created the De Pere Hydraulic Company. They also made the first map of the town. In 1837, De Pere was chosen to be the main city, or county seat, for Brown County. However, in 1854, the county seat moved to Green Bay.
Over time, the area was divided and renamed several times. The village of De Pere was officially formed in 1857. West De Pere, on the other side of the river, became its own village in 1870. In 1883, both villages became cities. West De Pere was even briefly called "Nicolet." Finally, in 1890, the cities of De Pere and West De Pere joined together to form one single city government.
St. Norbert College's Founding
St. Norbert College was founded in 1898. It's a private college located right by the Fox River. It was started by Abbot Pennings.
Historic Places to Explore
De Pere has many places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are important sites that are protected because of their history.
- The North Broadway Street Historic District includes many large, old homes.
- The De Pere Lock and Dam Historic District was added in 1993.
- The Union Hotel became a historic place in 2003.
- The Randall Avenue Historic District and North Michigan Street-North Superior Street Historic District were added in 2007.
- The Edwin and Jennie Gutknecht House was listed in 2015.
- The St. Norbert College Historic District was added in 2018.
- The Mansion Street World War II Defense Housing Historic District and the Daviswood Ranch Homes Historic District were added in 2021.
De Pere's Location and Climate
De Pere is located at 44°26′46″N 88°4′27″W / 44.44611°N 88.07417°W. The city covers about 12.30 square miles (31.86 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Understanding De Pere's Weather
De Pere experiences a typical Midwest climate. Here's a quick look at the average temperatures and rainfall:
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People of De Pere
De Pere has grown a lot over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 508 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,372 | 170.1% | |
| 1880 | 1,954 | 42.4% | |
| 1890 | 3,625 | 85.5% | |
| 1900 | 4,038 | 11.4% | |
| 1910 | 4,477 | 10.9% | |
| 1920 | 5,165 | 15.4% | |
| 1930 | 5,521 | 6.9% | |
| 1940 | 6,373 | 15.4% | |
| 1950 | 8,146 | 27.8% | |
| 1960 | 10,045 | 23.3% | |
| 1970 | 13,309 | 32.5% | |
| 1980 | 14,892 | 11.9% | |
| 1990 | 16,569 | 11.3% | |
| 2000 | 20,559 | 24.1% | |
| 2010 | 23,800 | 15.8% | |
| 2020 | 25,410 | 6.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
In 2020, De Pere had 25,410 residents. Most people living in the city were White (87.9%). The population also included people of Asian, Black, Native American, and other backgrounds. About 4.2% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Population in 2010
In 2010, the city's population was 23,800. The racial makeup was mainly White (94.0%). There were also smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 2.1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Places of Worship
- St. Mark Lutheran Church is part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
- The National Shrine of Saint Joseph is located at St. Norbert College.
- St. Norbert Abbey is an important center for the Premonstratensian Order in the United States.
Learning in De Pere
De Pere has two main public school districts and several private schools.
Public School Districts
- Unified School District of De Pere includes:
* De Pere High School * De Pere Middle School * Foxview Intermediate School * Dickinson Elementary School * Heritage Elementary School * Altmayer Elementary School
- School District of West De Pere includes:
* West De Pere High School * West De Pere Middle School * West De Pere Intermediate School * Westwood Elementary School * Hemlock Creek Elementary School * Phantom Knight Charter School
Private Schools
- Notre Dame of De Pere
- Our Lady of Lourdes
Higher Education and Special Needs Schools
- St. Norbert College is a private Roman Catholic college.
- Syble Hopp is a special school for children aged 3–21. It helps students with cognitive and other developmental disabilities.
Getting Around De Pere
Interstate 41 runs north and south on the west side of De Pere. Wisconsin Highway 32 and Wisconsin Highway 57 also pass through the city.
For public transport, Green Bay Metro offers some bus services. The CN provides freight train services. The Fox River is open for boats and canoes, except for a dam.
Famous People from De Pere
- Arthur J. Altmeyer, a former Commissioner of Social Security
- Dr. Ellie Arroway, a fictional character from the movie Contact
- Jason Berken, an MLB baseball player
- Wilson Charles, an athlete
- Chris Henry Coffey, an actor
- Robert John Cornell, a former member of the United States House of Representatives
- Oliver Daniel, an arts administrator and composer
- Charles W. Day, a Wisconsin State Senator
- Gary T. Dilweg, a Wisconsin State Representative
- M. H. Fisk, the first mayor of De Pere
- Burley Follett, a former mayor of Green Bay
- Ben Franklin, a Wisconsin State Representative-elect
- Paul Gigot, a political commentator
- Earl Gilson, a Wisconsin State Representative
- Charles Hall, a Wisconsin State Representative
- Robert J. Havighurst, a physicist
- Charlie Hill, a comedian
- James F. Hughes, a U.S. Representative
- Henry J. Janssen, a Wisconsin State Representative
- Stephen King, a famous author
- Scott McCurley, an NFL assistant coach
- Robert J. McGeehan, a Wisconsin State Senator
- Terry Anne Meeuwsen, Miss America 1973 and TV host
- George F. Merrill, a Wisconsin State Senator
- Enos Warren Persons, a Wisconsin State Senator
- John Schneider, an NFL executive
- Edward A. Seymour, a Wisconsin State Representative
- Alexander H. Smith, a mycologist (someone who studies fungi)
- Gale Staley, an MLB baseball player
- William J. Sweeney, a Wisconsin State Representative
- Tony Wied, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives
- Randall Wilcox, the first village president of De Pere
See also
In Spanish: De Pere (Wisconsin) para niños
