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Wonewoc, Wisconsin facts for kids

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Wonewoc, Wisconsin
Wis-33 runs through town
Wis-33 runs through town
Location of Wonewoc in Juneau County, Wisconsin.
Location of Wonewoc in Juneau County, Wisconsin.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
County Juneau
Area
 • Total 1.12 sq mi (2.89 km2)
 • Land 1.12 sq mi (2.89 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
961 ft (293 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 816
 • Estimate 
(2019)
788
 • Density 705.46/sq mi (272.49/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s) 608
FIPS code 55-88500
GNIS feature ID 1576954

Wonewoc is a small village located in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. It sits right next to the Baraboo River. In 2010, about 816 people lived there.

A Look at Wonewoc's Past

The name "Wonewoc" comes from an old Indigenous American language. It might mean "howling hills." However, the native Hoocąk (Winnebago) people called the area Wonį́wąk. This word can mean "to be wicked" or "you are naughty." A funny story says a settler once asked a native person the name of the place. The person replied, "You're a knucklehead!"

When Wonewoc Was Founded

The first settlers, George and Lucinda Willard, arrived in 1851. Wonewoc officially became a village in 1878. When the railroad was built, the village grew very quickly. Many of the early residents were settlers from New England.

Wonewoc Today

After the railroad era ended, Wonewoc's growth slowed down. Today, it is known as a calm and beautiful town. It has a friendly, close-knit community.

Exploring Wonewoc's Geography

Wonewoc is in the southern part of Juneau County. It's in a special part of Wisconsin called the Driftless area. This area was not flattened by glaciers long ago. Because of this, the landscape has sharp, rocky hills called bluffs. The beautiful Baraboo River flows right by the town.

The Wonewoc Formation

A type of rock layer called the Wonewoc Formation was first studied and named here. This shows how important the area is for geology.

Where is Wonewoc Located?

Wonewoc is located at 43°40' North latitude and 90°14' West longitude. The village covers about 1.11 square miles (2.89 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the village limits.

Who Lives in Wonewoc?

This section shares information about the people who live in Wonewoc.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 635
1890 619 −2.5%
1900 811 31.0%
1910 789 −2.7%
1920 798 1.1%
1930 717 −10.2%
1940 793 10.6%
1950 961 21.2%
1960 878 −8.6%
1970 835 −4.9%
1980 842 0.8%
1990 793 −5.8%
2000 834 5.2%
2010 816 −2.2%
2019 (est.) 788 −3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population in 2010

In 2010, there were 816 people living in Wonewoc. These people lived in 359 households. About 215 of these households were families. The village had about 735 people per square mile.

Most of the people in Wonewoc were White (97.9%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 1.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Households and Age

About 30% of households had children under 18 living with them. Many households (43.5%) were married couples. Some households had a single parent. About 17.8% of households had someone aged 65 or older living alone.

The average age in the village was 40.8 years old. About 23.9% of residents were under 18. About 19.1% were 65 or older. The village had slightly more females (53.7%) than males (46.3%).

Places of Worship in Wonewoc

Wonewoc is home to the Wonewoc Spiritualist Camp. There are also three churches in the village:

  • United Methodist Church
  • St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
  • St. Jerome’s Catholic Church

Fun Things to Do in Wonewoc

Wonewoc offers many activities for visitors and residents.

PublicLibraryWonowocWI
Wonewoc Public Library
DowntownWonowocWI
Downtown Wonewoc

Outdoor Adventures

Wonewoc is the middle point of the 400 Trail. This trail is popular for biking, hiking, and snowmobiling. The Baraboo River is great for canoeing and kayaking. Nearby lakes like Dutch Hollow and Lake Redstone are perfect for fishing, swimming, and other water sports.

Local Amenities

The village also has a public swimming pool. There are places for camping and several parks to enjoy.

Famous People from Wonewoc

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Wonewoc (Wisconsin) para niños

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