kids encyclopedia robot

Marathon County, Wisconsin facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Marathon County
Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau
Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Marathon County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
Founded 1850
Named for Marathon, Greece
Seat Wausau
Largest city Wausau
Area
 • Total 1,576 sq mi (4,080 km2)
 • Land 1,545 sq mi (4,000 km2)
 • Water 31 sq mi (80 km2)  2.0%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 134,063
 • Estimate 
(2020)
135,593
 • Density 85.065/sq mi (32.844/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 7th
Wisconsin 1866 US land Office
Wisconsin 1866 US land Office
MarathonCountyFairgrounds
Marathon County Fairgrounds

Marathon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 134,063. Marathon County's seat is Wausau. It was founded in 1850, created from a portion of Portage County. At that time the county stretched to the northern border with the upper Michigan peninsula. It is named after the battlefield at Marathon, Greece.

Marathon County comprises the Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Wausau-Stevens Point-Wisconsin Rapids, WI Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,576 square miles (4,080 km2), of which 1,545 square miles (4,000 km2) is land and 31 square miles (80 km2) (2.0%) is water. It is the largest county in Wisconsin by land area and fourth-largest by total area. It is also notable for containing the 45°N, 90°W point.

Major highways

  • I-39.svg Interstate 39
  • US 51.svg U.S. Route 51
  • WIS 13.svg Highway 13 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 29.svg Highway 29 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 34.svg Highway 34 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 49.svg Highway 49 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 52.svg Highway 52 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 97.svg Highway 97 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 107.svg Highway 107 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 153.svg Highway 153 (Wisconsin)

Airports

  • KAUW - Wausau Downtown Airport
  • KCWA - Central Wisconsin Airport

Adjacent counties

Natural wildlife refuges

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 508
1860 2,892 469.3%
1870 5,885 103.5%
1880 17,121 190.9%
1890 30,369 77.4%
1900 43,256 42.4%
1910 55,054 27.3%
1920 65,259 18.5%
1930 70,629 8.2%
1940 75,915 7.5%
1950 80,337 5.8%
1960 88,874 10.6%
1970 97,457 9.7%
1980 111,270 14.2%
1990 115,400 3.7%
2000 125,834 9.0%
2010 134,063 6.5%
2020 (est.) 135,593 1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020
USA Marathon County, Wisconsin age pyramid
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Marathon County

As of the census of 2000, there were 125,834 people, 47,702 households, and 33,868 families residing in the county. The population density was 81 people per square mile (31/km2). There were 50,360 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.84% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 4.54% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.6% were of German and 13.6% Polish ancestry. 92.9% spoke English, 3.4% Hmong, 1.1% German and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 47,702 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.

Libraries

The Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) has its headquarters in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin. Eight branch libraries have been established in the cities of Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford.

Recreation

County parks

  • Amco County Park
  • Big Eau Pleine County Park
  • Big Rapids County Park
  • Bluegill Bay County Park
  • Cherokee County Park
  • Courthouse Square
  • D.C. Everest County Park
  • Dells of the Eau Claire County Park
  • Duane L. Corbin Shooting Range Park
  • Library Park
  • Marathon Park
  • Mission Lake County Park
  • Mountain-Bay State Park Trail
  • Reitbrock Geographical Marker
  • Rib Falls County Park
  • Sunny Vale County Park

Snowmobile trails

There are over 884 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Marathon County maintained by 29 area snowmobile clubs.

Communities

Marathon County Wisconsin Sign WIS13
County sign on Wisconsin Highway 13

Cities

Villages

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns/neighborhoods

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Marathon para niños

kids search engine
Marathon County, Wisconsin Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.