Belle Plaine, Wisconsin

Belle Plaine, Wisconsin
Town
Location of Belle Plaine, Wisconsin
Coordinates: 44°42′16″N88°39′32″W / 44.70444°N 88.65889°W / 44.70444; -88.65889
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Shawano
Area
• Total	39.2 sq mi (101.4 km2)
• Land	38.4 sq mi (99.4 km2)
• Water	0.8 sq mi (2.0 km2)
Elevation [1]	840 ft (256 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	1,867
• Density	48.6/sq mi (18.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
FIPS code	55-06275 [2]
GNIS feature ID	1582785 [1]
Website	http://belleplainewi.com/

Belle Plaine is a town in Shawano County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,867 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Adams Beach and Belle Plaine are located in the town. The former unincorporated community of Hunting was located partially in the town.

History

Belle Plaine is derived from the French meaning "beautiful plain." ^[3]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.2 square miles (101.4 km²), of which, 38.4 square miles (99.4 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it (1.97%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census ^[2] of 2000, there were 1,867 people, 738 households, and 543 families residing in the town. The population density was 48.6 people per square mile (18.8/km²). There were 964 housing units at an average density of 25.1 per square mile (9.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.73% White, 2.04% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.21% of the population.

There were 738 households, out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.8% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,100, and the median income for a family was $49,353. Males had a median income of $33,269 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,381. About 3.8% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• August Beversdorf (1864–1928), Wisconsin State Assembly and farmer' lived on a farm in the town; Beversdorf served as chairman of the Belle Plaine Town Board ^[4]

References

1. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
3. Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 43.
4. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1925,' Biographical Sketch of August Beversdorf, pg. 679