Sun Prairie, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
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Downtown Sun Prairie in June 2007
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| Nickname(s):
Groundhog Capital of the World
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| Motto(s):
Revolves Around You
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Location of Sun Prairie in Dane County, Wisconsin.
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| Country |  United States |
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| State | Wisconsin | |
| County | Dane | |
| Settled | 1839 | |
| Incorporated (city) | 1958 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor-council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 12.93 sq mi (33.49 km2) | |
| • Land | 12.91 sq mi (33.44 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) | |
| Elevation | 984 ft (300 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 35,967 | |
| • Density | 2,685.03/sq mi (1,036.67/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central Standard Time) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (Central Daylight Time) | |
| ZIP Code |
53590
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| Area code(s) | 608 | |
| FIPS code | 55-78600 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1584255 | |
Sun Prairie is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. It is a suburb of Madison and part of the larger Madison area. In 2020, about 35,967 people lived here. Sun Prairie is also known as the "Groundhog Capital of the World."
Contents
History of Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie got its name in a unique way. In 1837, a group of 45 men, led by Augustus A. Bird, were sent by President Martin Van Buren to build a capital city in Madison. They traveled for many days in the rain.
On June 9, they finally saw the sun shining as they reached the edge of a prairie. To celebrate, they carved the words "Sun Prairie" into a tree. Two years later, Charles Bird, Augustus's brother, became the first person to settle in the area.
The Town of Sun Prairie was officially created in 1846. The village of Sun Prairie grew from this town and became an incorporated village in 1868. Later, in 1958, the people of Sun Prairie voted to become a city.
Community Spirit: Sun Prairie Strong
On July 10, 2018, a gas explosion happened in downtown Sun Prairie. It destroyed a bar and a pizza restaurant. Other buildings, including the old city hall, were also damaged.
Sadly, Fire Captain Cory Barr, who owned the bar, was hurt and later passed away. After this event, many people and businesses in Sun Prairie helped the affected families and businesses. This tragedy showed the city's strength and led to the slogan "Sun Prairie Strong." It means the community comes together to support each other.
Geography and Landscape
Sun Prairie covers about 12.25 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water. The city includes land that used to be part of nearby towns like Bristol and Burke.
Land Features and Soils
Sun Prairie is located in an area shaped by ancient glaciers. This means there are deep deposits from the Wisconsin Glaciation. The eastern part of Dane County, where Sun Prairie is, has many small hills called drumlins. These hills are mixed with marshy areas.
The soils in Sun Prairie are good for farming and building. They are generally well-drained, meaning water moves through them well. This helps with both farming and urban development.
City Planning and Neighborhoods
The city's landscape has gentle rolling hills and flat areas. The average height of the city is about 984 feet above sea level.
Sun Prairie has created special neighborhoods called "traditional neighborhood developments" (TND). These neighborhoods are designed to be friendly for people walking. They focus on making streets look nice and easy to get around on foot. The goal is to create neighborhoods that feel like older, well-planned communities, but with modern updates.
Climate in Sun Prairie
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| temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches source: Weatherbase |
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Metric conversion
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Sun Prairie has a climate with warm summers. Summers are usually hot and humid. July is the warmest month, with an average high temperature of about 82 degrees Fahrenheit. January is the coldest month, with an average low temperature of about 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
The city gets about 33 inches of rain each year. Rainfall is spread out evenly, but August is usually the wettest month.
Understanding Flooding
Sun Prairie sometimes experiences flooding. This can happen because of the type of soil, melting snow in spring, and its closeness to Koshkonong Creek. More buildings and paved areas in the city can also make flooding worse by increasing storm water runoff. Many residents feel that flooding has become more frequent.
For example, in April 2008, heavy rains caused flooding in many basements. The city also faced significant flooding during the June 2008 Midwest floods.
People of Sun Prairie
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 626 | — | |
| 1880 | 597 | −4.6% | |
| 1890 | 704 | 17.9% | |
| 1900 | 938 | 33.2% | |
| 1910 | 1,119 | 19.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,236 | 10.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,337 | 8.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,625 | 21.5% | |
| 1950 | 2,263 | 39.3% | |
| 1960 | 4,008 | 77.1% | |
| 1970 | 9,935 | 147.9% | |
| 1980 | 12,931 | 30.2% | |
| 1990 | 15,333 | 18.6% | |
| 2000 | 20,369 | 32.8% | |
| 2010 | 29,364 | 44.2% | |
| 2020 | 35,967 | 22.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, Sun Prairie had 35,967 residents. About 23.8% of the people were under 18 years old. The median age in the city was 37.7 years.
Most households were families, with many having children. The city's population is diverse, with people from various backgrounds living and working together.
Economy and Jobs
Sun Prairie has several important employers. QBE Insurance has a large office here. Other major companies include the Sun Prairie School District, American Family Insurance, Colony Brands, and Frontier Communications. Many people who live in Sun Prairie also travel to Madison for their jobs.
Arts and Culture in Sun Prairie
Fun Events and Festivals
Sun Prairie is famous for its Groundhog Day celebration in February. The city's own groundhog, Jimmy, is the star! In 1955, the U.S. Congress even called Sun Prairie the "Groundhog Capital of the World." In 2015, Jimmy famously bit the mayor's ear, but the mayor quickly pardoned him! Now, the city uses a special groundhog for the celebration.
Other fun events include:
- Taste of the Arts Fair: Held in mid-June, this fair shows off local artwork. You can also take classes to learn arts and crafts. It happens during the Georgia O'Keeffe Celebration.
- Flags of Freedom Field Show: In July, high school marching bands from all over the U.S. and Canada compete in this day-long event.
- Sweet Corn Festival: Every August, Sun Prairie hosts this popular festival. Over 70 tons of sweet corn are served! The event also has a carnival, a parade, and live music.
Interesting Places to Visit
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Sun Prairie has several places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are important historical sites. They include:
- The Sun Prairie Downtown Historic District, which has the Old City Hall.
- The Dr. Charles G. Crosse House, built in 1864.
- The Chase Grain Elevator, built in 1922.
- The Fuhremann Canning Company Factory, now a restaurant.
- The Adam and Mary Smith House, built in 1879.
- The Sun Prairie Water Tower, built in 1912.
Other cool places to visit are:
- The National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame at Angell Park Speedway.
- The Sun Prairie Historical Library and Museum.
The Sun Prairie Public Library serves the city and nearby towns. It offers many services, including programs for kids and adults.
The Sun Prairie Family Aquatic Center is a public swimming pool. It opened in 1992 and has an 18-foot drop slide, two diving boards, and a 210-foot water slide. There are also play areas and sand volleyball courts. The Sun Prairie Piranhas, the city's youth swim team, practice here.
Education for Students
The Sun Prairie Area School District manages public education in the city. In the 2018–19 school year, about 8,500 students were enrolled. The district has:
- 9 elementary schools
- 3 middle schools
- 2 high schools
- An alternative learning high school
There are also two private schools in Sun Prairie:
- Sacred Hearts School: A Catholic school for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, founded in 1892.
- Peace Evangelical Lutheran School: A Pre-K through 8th grade school.
Media and Local News
The Sun Prairie Media Center is a city department that runs local TV and radio stations.
- KSUN: This public-access TV station has been around for over 30 years. It now has two channels: KSUN Now for government programs and KSUN Life for community programs. High school sports games are shown on both.
- KIDS-4: This special TV channel is produced by children aged 9 to 14. Kids create the content, handle cameras, sound, and editing.
- WLSP-LP (103.5): This is a community radio station that started in 2015.
The city also has two local newspapers: the Sun Prairie Star and the Hometown Advertiser. You can also read the Wisconsin State Journal, a newspaper from Madison.
Transportation Around Sun Prairie
Major Roadways
Sun Prairie is connected by several important roads:
- Interstates (I-39, I-90, I-94): These major highways run near Sun Prairie, connecting it to other cities like Madison and Milwaukee.
- U.S. Route 151: This highway runs through Sun Prairie from southwest to northeast. It has four different exits in the city.
- Wisconsin Highway 19: This state highway passes around the north side of Madison and crosses US-151 in Sun Prairie. It connects Sun Prairie to other communities like Watertown and Waunakee.
Sun Prairie is also bordered by several county roads that help people get around.
Public Transportation
Sun Prairie works with Madison Metro Transit to provide bus services. There are two local bus routes within Sun Prairie. You can also take a bus from Sun Prairie into Madison. In the future, a new bus rapid transit service will connect Sun Prairie and Madison.
Railroads
Freight trains use tracks located south of Sun Prairie.
Public Services for the Community
Fire Department
Sun Prairie has a fire department that serves the city and nearby towns. It started in 1891 and became a city department in 2024. The department has 12 fire trucks and two historic fire engines from 1927.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Sun Prairie has its own emergency medical service. This team responds to over 3,200 calls each year for medical and rescue needs. They serve Sun Prairie and several surrounding towns, covering a large area with many people.
The EMS started in 1977. Over the years, it has grown to include full-time paramedics who provide advanced medical care. Sun Prairie EMS transports patients to hospitals in Madison and Columbus.
City Utilities
Sun Prairie Utilities provides electricity and water to the city. It is a local, not-for-profit company founded in 1910. The city gets its water from six wells and stores it in three water towers. Sun Prairie also has its own wastewater treatment facility.
Notable People from Sun Prairie
- Will Butcher, a famous hockey player who won the Hobey Baker Award in 2017.
- Paige Davis, an actress known for hosting the TV show Trading Spaces.
- Nathan Haseleu, a NASCAR driver.
- Robert Kastenmeier, a congressman.
- Todd Kluever, a former NASCAR driver.
- John A. List, an economist from the University of Chicago.
- Georgia O'Keeffe, a very famous artist who won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Casey Scheuerell, a musician.
- Andy Thompson, a former MLB player for the Toronto Blue Jays.
See also
In Spanish: Sun Prairie (Wisconsin) para niños
