La Crosse County
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 480 square miles (1,200 km), of which 452 square miles (1,170 km) is land and 28 square miles (73 km) (5.9%) is water.
Major highways
Railroads
Buses
Airport
Adjacent counties
- Trempealeau County - northwest
- Jackson County - northeast
- Monroe County - east
- Vernon County - south
- Houston County, Minnesota - southwest
- Winona County, Minnesota - west
Climate
La Crosse County's location in the United States' upper midwest gives the area a temperate, continental climate. The warmest month of the year is July, when the average high temperature is 85.4 °F (29.7 °C), with overnight low temperatures averaging 27.4 °F (−2.6 °C). January is the coldest month, with high temperatures averaging 25.9 °F (−3.4 °C), with the overnight low temperatures around 10.5 °F (−11.9 °C).
| Climate data for La Crosse Regional Airport, Wisconsin (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1872–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 57 (14) |
65 (18) |
84 (29) |
93 (34) |
107 (42) |
102 (39) |
108 (42) |
105 (41) |
101 (38) |
93 (34) |
80 (27) |
67 (19) |
108 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 45.4 (7.4) |
50.5 (10.3) |
69.0 (20.6) |
82.2 (27.9) |
87.8 (31.0) |
93.6 (34.2) |
95.7 (35.4) |
94.0 (34.4) |
89.2 (31.8) |
80.6 (27.0) |
64.0 (17.8) |
48.1 (8.9) |
97.7 (36.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 25.9 (−3.4) |
31.4 (−0.3) |
43.9 (6.6) |
59.3 (15.2) |
70.7 (21.5) |
80.0 (26.7) |
84.1 (28.9) |
81.5 (27.5) |
73.2 (22.9) |
59.9 (15.5) |
43.8 (6.6) |
29.1 (−1.6) |
57.0 (13.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 8.9 (−12.8) |
13.6 (−10.2) |
25.2 (−3.8) |
37.9 (3.3) |
48.7 (9.3) |
58.5 (14.7) |
63.2 (17.3) |
61.3 (16.3) |
52.4 (11.3) |
40.4 (4.7) |
28.1 (−2.2) |
14.2 (−9.9) |
37.8 (3.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −13.8 (−25.4) |
−10.4 (−23.6) |
3.9 (−15.6) |
21.7 (−5.7) |
34.1 (1.2) |
44.6 (7.0) |
51.5 (10.8) |
49.3 (9.6) |
36.5 (2.5) |
25.4 (−3.7) |
12.0 (−11.1) |
−8.7 (−22.6) |
−18.4 (−28.0) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −43 (−42) |
−36 (−38) |
−28 (−33) |
7 (−14) |
26 (−3) |
33 (1) |
44 (7) |
35 (2) |
24 (−4) |
6 (−14) |
−21 (−29) |
−37 (−38) |
−43 (−42) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.12 (28) |
1.05 (27) |
2.04 (52) |
3.34 (85) |
3.52 (89) |
4.34 (110) |
4.26 (108) |
4.29 (109) |
3.56 (90) |
2.17 (55) |
2.01 (51) |
1.36 (35) |
33.06 (840) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 10.7 (27) |
8.2 (21) |
7.1 (18) |
1.7 (4.3) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
4.1 (10) |
11.3 (29) |
43.3 (110) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.1 | 8.0 | 9.8 | 11.2 | 11.9 | 11.5 | 10.4 | 9.8 | 9.6 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 9.2 | 118.8 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 7.8 | 6.4 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.3 | 3.1 | 7.0 | 30.1 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 12,186 | — | |
| 1870 | 20,297 | 66.6% | |
| 1880 | 27,073 | 33.4% | |
| 1890 | 38,801 | 43.3% | |
| 1900 | 42,997 | 10.8% | |
| 1910 | 43,996 | 2.3% | |
| 1920 | 44,355 | 0.8% | |
| 1930 | 54,455 | 22.8% | |
| 1940 | 59,653 | 9.5% | |
| 1950 | 67,587 | 13.3% | |
| 1960 | 72,465 | 7.2% | |
| 1970 | 80,468 | 11.0% | |
| 1980 | 91,056 | 13.2% | |
| 1990 | 97,904 | 7.5% | |
| 2000 | 107,120 | 9.4% | |
| 2010 | 114,638 | 7.0% | |
| 2020 | 120,784 | 5.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 120,486 | −0.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 | |||
As of the census of 2020, the population was 120,784. The population density was 267.3 people per square mile (103.2 people/km). There were 52,774 housing units at an average density of 116.8 units per square mile (45.1 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 88.0% White, 4.6% Asian, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.9% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 2.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
According to 2014–2018 ACS estimates, the median household income was $55,479 and the median family income was $67,388. Males had a median income of $48,675 and females $38,714. The per capita income was $26,065. About 9.1% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
At the 2010 census, there were 114,638 people, 46,137 households and 27,373 families residing in the county. The population density was 255 per square mile (98/km). There were 46,137 housing units at an average density of 96 per square mile (37/km). The racial make up was 92.1% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.9% were of German, 20.3% Norwegian and 7.9% Irish ancestry. In 2017, there were 1,188 births, giving a general fertility rate of 47.9 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the fifth lowest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties.
Government
- Board Chair: Monica Kruse
- District Attorney: Tim Gruenke (D)
- Sheriff: John Siegel (D)
- County Clerk: Ginny Dankmeyer (D)
- County Treasurer: Amy Twitchell (D)
- Register of Deeds: Robin Kadrmas (D)
- Board of Supervisors: (29 members) (D Majority)
- County Administrator: Jane Klekamp
Politics
La Crosse County has voted for the Democratic nominee in every presidential election since 1988. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ranked La Crosse County as one of Wisconsin's most Democratic counties. As a result of the 2020 presidential election, La Crosse County continued its Democratic trend by about 4% with a 13% lead over Republicans. In the 2022 United States elections Democrats won every contested race in La Crosse County and flipped the Sheriff's race for the first time in recent history.
La Crosse County is within the Wisconsin State Senate district 32, represented by Brad Pfaff (D). It also contains Wisconsin State Assembly districts 95 Jill Billings (D) and 94 Steve Doyle (D). Democrats also hold a majority of seats on the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 32,247 | 44.63% | 39,008 | 53.98% | 1,006 | 1.39% |
| 2020 | 28,684 | 42.25% | 37,846 | 55.75% | 1,354 | 1.99% |
| 2016 | 26,378 | 41.43% | 32,406 | 50.89% | 4,890 | 7.68% |
| 2012 | 25,751 | 40.58% | 36,693 | 57.82% | 1,018 | 1.60% |
| 2008 | 23,701 | 37.49% | 38,524 | 60.94% | 993 | 1.57% |
| 2004 | 28,289 | 45.53% | 33,170 | 53.38% | 677 | 1.09% |
| 2000 | 24,327 | 43.79% | 28,455 | 51.22% | 2,777 | 5.00% |
| 1996 | 16,482 | 35.83% | 23,647 | 51.41% | 5,872 | 12.76% |
| 1992 | 18,891 | 36.14% | 22,838 | 43.69% | 10,544 | 20.17% |
| 1988 | 21,548 | 48.90% | 22,204 | 50.39% | 314 | 0.71% |
| 1984 | 25,721 | 58.77% | 17,787 | 40.64% | 261 | 0.60% |
| 1980 | 23,427 | 51.73% | 17,304 | 38.21% | 4,554 | 10.06% |
| 1976 | 24,188 | 58.06% | 16,674 | 40.02% | 797 | 1.91% |
| 1972 | 21,992 | 63.29% | 12,152 | 34.97% | 602 | 1.73% |
| 1968 | 17,433 | 55.76% | 11,570 | 37.00% | 2,264 | 7.24% |
| 1964 | 13,135 | 44.07% | 16,625 | 55.78% | 43 | 0.14% |
| 1960 | 18,319 | 56.08% | 14,310 | 43.81% | 36 | 0.11% |
| 1956 | 18,264 | 61.66% | 11,258 | 38.01% | 100 | 0.34% |
| 1952 | 19,271 | 61.90% | 11,808 | 37.93% | 53 | 0.17% |
| 1948 | 10,525 | 45.25% | 12,345 | 53.07% | 390 | 1.68% |
| 1944 | 12,784 | 50.93% | 12,247 | 48.79% | 72 | 0.29% |
| 1940 | 13,711 | 50.92% | 13,079 | 48.58% | 134 | 0.50% |
| 1936 | 7,558 | 33.09% | 14,455 | 63.29% | 827 | 3.62% |
| 1932 | 7,686 | 36.94% | 12,919 | 62.10% | 200 | 0.96% |
| 1928 | 11,321 | 55.78% | 8,877 | 43.74% | 97 | 0.48% |
| 1924 | 5,733 | 32.49% | 1,252 | 7.09% | 10,662 | 60.42% |
| 1920 | 10,067 | 73.96% | 2,588 | 19.01% | 956 | 7.02% |
| 1916 | 3,597 | 44.37% | 4,123 | 50.86% | 386 | 4.76% |
| 1912 | 2,272 | 28.28% | 4,263 | 53.07% | 1,498 | 18.65% |
| 1908 | 4,382 | 50.15% | 4,054 | 46.40% | 301 | 3.45% |
| 1904 | 5,506 | 61.76% | 3,089 | 34.65% | 320 | 3.59% |
| 1900 | 5,324 | 58.24% | 3,609 | 39.48% | 208 | 2.28% |
| 1896 | 6,297 | 64.58% | 3,058 | 31.36% | 396 | 4.06% |
| 1892 | 3,693 | 42.88% | 3,810 | 44.24% | 1,110 | 12.89% |
Communities
Cities
Villages
Towns
Census-designated places
- Brice Prairie, part of the Town of Onalaska and an urban reserve area of the City of Onalaska
- French Island
- St. Joseph
Unincorporated communities
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in La Crosse County, Wisconsin
- Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
References
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: La Crosse County, Wisconsin". www.census.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ "Wisconsin State Climatology Office". University of Wisconsin. 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "La Crosse Climate Data". Wisconsin State Climatology Office. University of Wisconsin. 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010.
- ^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Station Name: WI LA CROSSE MUNI AP". National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lacrossecountywisconsin,lacrossecitywisconsin,detroitcitymichigan,US/PST045219
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census: La Crosse County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ "La Crosse County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^ Tribune, Olivia Herken La Crosse. "3 longtime supervisors named to lead La Crosse County Board". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Treasurer".
- ^ "LA CROSSE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. April 2010 — April 2012" (PDF). www.co.la-crosse.wi.us. June 6, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ "La Crosse County Administrator".
- ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ Gilbert, Craig (December 3, 2014). "The reddest and bluest places in Wisconsin". Jsonline.com. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ VETTERKIND, RILEY. "Cities propelled Joe Biden to Wisconsin win as rural areas double down on Donald Trump". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ Tribune, Chloe Hilles La Crosse. "Majority of voters in La Crosse County cast ballots for Democrats even with decrease in voter turnout". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". US Election Atlas. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
- ^ https://lacrossecounty.org/docs/default-source/county-clerk/election-results/official-summary.pdf?sfvrsn=98533d20_3
Further reading
- Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.
- Biographical History of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.
- History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1881.
- Bryant, Benjamin F. (ed.). Memoirs of La Crosse County. Madison, Wis.: Western Historical Association, 1907.
- Wisconsin Jubilee: Proceedings of the Celebration by the County and City of La Crosse on Wisconsin having achieved fifty years of statehood. La Crosse, Wis.: Republican and Leader Print, 1898.
External links
- La Crosse County
- La Crosse County Health and Demographic Data
- La Crosse County map from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Places adjacent to La Crosse County, Wisconsin | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States | ||
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| Indian reservation | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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