Somerset, Wisconsin

This article is about the village. For the adjacent town, see Somerset (town), Wisconsin.
Somerset, Wisconsin
Village

Location of Somerset, Wisconsin
Coordinates: 45°8′30″N 92°42′9″W / 45.14167°N 92.70250°W / 45.14167; -92.70250Coordinates: 45°8′30″N 92°42′9″W / 45.14167°N 92.70250°W / 45.14167; -92.70250
Country United States
State Wisconsin
County St. Croix
Area[1]
 • Total 2.75 sq mi (7.12 km2)
 • Land 2.75 sq mi (7.12 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation[2] 961 ft (293 m)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 2,635
 • Estimate (2012[4]) 2,656
 • Density 958.2/sq mi (370.0/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Area code(s) 715 & 534
FIPS code 55-74700[5]
GNIS feature ID 1584175[2]

Somerset is a village in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, along the Apple River. The population was 2,635 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Somerset.

History

Somerset was named by General Samuel Harriman after his father's home of Somerset, England.[6] Somerset has a lengthy and colorful history. Before the turn of the century Somerset was bordered on the south by cranberry bogs. The terrain naturally lent itself to the production of cranberries as a result of the hilliness of the area, which is dotted with ponds, sloughs, swamps and bogs. These wet areas became of greater interest to the local population during Prohibition. These same low spots where water collected became ideal for collecting water for the production of moonshine (homemade alcoholic beverages). Indeed, Somerset already had a history of being a rough logging town, and it was only a natural progression to become the supplier of bootlegged alcohol to the twin cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. After Prohibition ended, the citizens of Somerset returned to the more humble activities of logging and farming.

Geography

Somerset is located at 45°7′30″N 92°40′30″W / 45.12500°N 92.67500°W / 45.12500; -92.67500 (45.125189, -92.6752).[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.75 square miles (7.12 km2), all of it land.[1] The Apple River runs through Somerset.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
188077—
1920406—
193048018.2%
1940476−0.8%
195053111.6%
196072937.3%
19707786.7%
198086010.5%
19901,07224.7%
20001,55645.1%
20102,63569.3%
Est. 20152,693[8]2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 2,635 people, 990 households, and 654 families residing in the village. The population density was 958.2 inhabitants per square mile (370.0/km2). There were 1,102 housing units at an average density of 400.7 per square mile (154.7/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 93.1% White, 1.0% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.1% of the population.

There were 990 households of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.9% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.15.

The median age in the village was 29.6 years. 32.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 36.3% were from 25 to 44; 17.4% were from 45 to 64; and 5.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,556 people, 635 households, and 391 families residing in the village. The population density was 844.1 people per square mile (326.5/km²). There were 659 housing units at an average density of 357.5 per square mile (138.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.85% White, 0.77% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 1.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 635 households out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the village the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 36.8% from 25 to 44, 12.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $45,194, and the median income for a family was $47,426. Males had a median income of $36,827 versus $25,605 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,170. About 6.3% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 29.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Somerset's village president is Jeffrey Johnson.[10]

Education

Somerset High School serves students in grades nine through twelve. Somerset Middle School is the local middle school for students in grades five through eight. Somerset Elementary School is the local elementary school for students in junior kindergarten through fourth grade.

Recreation

Somerset has several camping establishments along the Apple River. Outfitters in the area provide rentals and transportation for tubing on the river.[11] Every summer concerts are held at the Somerset Amphitheater. The Avett Brothers, Slipknot, and Pretty Lights are previous headliners. Somerset also hosts the Tough Mudder and The Border Battle Beer Fest. Every June, Somerset also holds its annual Pea Soup Days. There's a carnival, parade, and late night band playing. It takes place in the Village Park.

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  2. 1 2 "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  4. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
  5. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ Wisconsin Encyclopedia By Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration, Jennifer L. Herman page 489
  7. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ↑ Village of Somerset -- President and Trustees, 2010, "", August 5, 2010.
  11. ↑ http://www.travelwisconsin.com/rafting-tubing/apple-river-200206
  12. ↑ Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, August 2010
  13. ↑ Harriman, Col. Samuel (1826-1897)
  14. ↑ Newman, Dave (29 April 2016). "Somerset's Jeremy Kelly hopes he gets chance to play in NFL". New Richmond News. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  15. ↑ Sam Lofquist/Team 2014 - SaiPa Hockey
  16. ↑ Court Side Basketball Agency 2010, August 5, 2010
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