Oconto Falls, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oconto Falls
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City
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Oconto Falls greeting sign, facing WI-22 South on the northeast side of town
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Location of Oconto Falls in Oconto County, Wisconsin
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 Oconto Falls
Location in Wisconsin
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Oconto |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.93 sq mi (7.59 km2) |
| • Land | 2.71 sq mi (7.02 km2) |
| • Water | 0.22 sq mi (0.57 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,957 |
| • Density | 1,091.14/sq mi (421.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
54154
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| Area code(s) | 920 |
| FIPS code | 55-59400 |
Oconto Falls is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. It is a part of the Green Bay area. In 2020, about 2,957 people lived there.
Contents
History of Oconto Falls
The city of Oconto Falls got its name from the waterfalls on the Oconto River. An old story from the Menominee people says that a hero named Manabozho created the falls. He did this to protect the Menominee and keep sturgeon fish from reaching the Chippewa people.
Early European Settlers
The first European settlers in Oconto Falls were John and Almira Volk. They moved to the area in 1846. Many early settlers came from Germany, Poland, and France. The Volk family built a sawmill by the river. The main job for people in the area became working in the lumber industry.
Growth and Development
A post office opened in Oconto Falls in 1871. This was the same year the Peshtigo Fire destroyed many buildings in the village. Later, a Methodist church was the first church built in 1889. A bridge was built across the river in 1896. In 1902, the falls were dammed to create power.
Oconto Falls officially became a village on July 3, 1903. Anton Gustin, from Austria, started a new pulp mill in 1908. He used a special process to make paper. This made Oconto Falls the first place in the United States to make kraft paper for sale. The village became a city in 1919.
Geography of Oconto Falls
Oconto Falls is located at 44°52′29″N 88°8′34″W / 44.87472°N 88.14278°W.
Land and Water Area
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers about 2.95 square miles (7.64 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 2.73 square miles (7.07 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.22 square miles (0.57 square kilometers), is water.
The Oconto River flows through the city. It divides Oconto Falls into an east side and a west side.
Population of Oconto Falls
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 1,427 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,914 | 34.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,921 | 0.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,888 | −1.7% | |
| 1950 | 2,050 | 8.6% | |
| 1960 | 2,331 | 13.7% | |
| 1970 | 2,517 | 8.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,500 | −0.7% | |
| 1990 | 2,584 | 3.4% | |
| 2000 | 2,843 | 10.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,891 | 1.7% | |
| 2020 | 2,957 | 2.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2010
In 2010, the city had 2,891 people living there. There were 1,251 homes. The average number of people in each home was 2.24.
Most people in Oconto Falls were White (95.9%). About 1.5% were Native American. About 1.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in the city was 38.1 years old. About 24.5% of residents were under 18. About 17.2% were 65 years old or older.
Education in Oconto Falls
The Oconto Falls School District serves the city. Here are some of the schools:
- Oconto Falls High School
- Oconto Falls Elementary School
- Washington Middle School
- Abrams Elementary School
- St. Anthony Catholic School
Some schools have closed over the years:
- Jefferson Elementary School (closed in 1996, torn down in 2006)
- Spruce Charter School (closed in 2012)
Notable People from Oconto Falls
- Rusty Lemorande - a director, screenwriter, and actor
See also
In Spanish: Oconto Falls (Wisconsin) para niños
