Dunn County, Wisconsin is located in the west-central part of the state and is part of the Eau Claire Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 census, the population of Dunn County was 43,857. The racial makeup of the county was 96.5% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.3% from other races and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos comprised 3.6% of the population in Dunn County. See top counties in Wisconsin.
The median household income in Dunn County was $53,890 according to a 2017 estimate from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Program; this is slightly higher than both the state median household income ($51,467) and national median household income ($56,516). The poverty rate in Dunn County was 10%, slightly lower than both the state (10%) and national (13%) averages for 2017; however, it should be noted that this rate has been decreasing since 2013 when it stood at 11%. Education attainment levels in Dunn County were also higher than both state and national averages for 2017 with 89% having completed high school or higher compared to 87% for Wisconsin and 90% for the United States as a whole respectively.
History of Dunn County, Wisconsin
Dunn County, Wisconsin was established in 1854 and is located in the west-central part of the state. The county was named after Charles Dunn, the first territorial justice appointed by President James K. Polk. Originally, the county included parts of what are now Pepin and St. Croix counties, but these were divided off in 1858 and 1874 respectively.
The first settlers to arrive in Dunn County were primarily of German descent and came from Pennsylvania beginning around 1845. By 1850, there were about 500 settlers living in the area. In 1861, a railroad was built through the county connecting it to Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls; this development made it easier for people to travel into the area from other parts of Wisconsin and beyond.
During World War I, Dunn County sent more than 1,000 men to serve in Europe; many of them never returned home alive. In 1919, a monument was erected in Menomonie to honor those who had died during the war.
In 1921, an oil boom began near Menomonie that lasted until 1924 when production began to decline rapidly due to overproduction and falling oil prices; however, this period brought a great deal of investment into Dunn County as many businesses flocked to take advantage of this new source of wealth and employment opportunities for local residents increased significantly during this time as well.
The Great Depression hit Dunn County hard causing unemployment levels to soar; however, things began to improve after World War II when new industries such as paper manufacturing began taking root in the area bringing much needed jobs with them that helped spur economic growth once again.
Today, Dunn County is home to several large companies including 3M Corporation which has its headquarters located just outside Menomonie; other major employers include Walmart and Mayo Clinic Health System-Red Cedar which both have operations based out of Menomonie as well. Agriculture is still an important part of life here with dairy farming being a major industry throughout much of the county’s rural areas.
Major cities and towns in Dunn County, Wisconsin
Dunn County, Wisconsin is located in the western part of the state and is home to a number of cities and towns. The county seat is Menomonie, which is also the largest city in the county. It has a population of over 16,000 people and contains a variety of businesses, including 3M Corporation’s headquarters. Other major employers in Menomonie include Walmart and Mayo Clinic Health System-Red Cedar.
Knapp is another major city in Dunn County, with a population of around 1,800 people. It was originally founded as an agricultural community but has since become more industrialized due to its proximity to Menomonie. Knapp is home to several manufacturing plants and other businesses that provide employment opportunities for local residents.
Downing is another small town located in Dunn County with a population of around 700 people. It was originally founded as an agricultural community but has since become more industrialized due to its proximity to Menomonie and Eau Claire. Downing offers many recreational activities such as hiking trails, fishing spots, and camping sites for those looking for outdoor adventure close to home.
The village of Boyceville is located just west of Menomonie near the Eau Claire River Valley. With a population of around 1,600 people, it offers many amenities such as several parks, churches, restaurants, shops, and schools for those looking for all the comforts of small-town living without being too far from larger cities like Menomonie or Eau Claire.
The unincorporated town of Wheeler lies just south of Boyceville near the Chippewa River Valley with a population estimated at around 600 people; it’s known for its peaceful atmosphere and scenic views along with its convenient access to both Menomonie and Eau Claire via Highway 25.
In addition to these larger townships within Dunn County there are also numerous smaller communities scattered throughout the area such as Ridgeland Township, Red Cedar Township, Tainter Township, Sand Creek Township, Cedar Falls Township, Rock Creek Township, and Wilson Township. Each one offers something unique from rural scenery with plenty of outdoor activities available nearby to more urbanized areas with all sorts of amenities like restaurants, shopping centers, parks, schools, etc. Whether you’re looking for an escape from city life or just want some small-town charm closer to home Dunn County has something for everyone.
Population in Dunn County, Wisconsin
According to Iamaccepted, Dunn County, Wisconsin is home to nearly 45,000 people. The population of the county has grown steadily since 2000, with a 2.7% increase in population since then. The largest city in the county is Menomonie, with a population of 16,266 as of 2019. Other cities and villages include Boyceville, Colfax, Downsville, Knapp and Wheeler. The majority of Dunn County’s population identifies as White (95%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (2.1%), Asian (1.3%) and African American (0.6%).
The median age of Dunn County residents is 37 years old; the median household income is $60,857; and the median home value is $196,800. The unemployment rate in Dunn County was 3.4% in 2019 which is lower than both the state and national averages for that same year.
The largest industries in Dunn County are manufacturing (15%), health care and social assistance (13%) and retail trade (11%). Agriculture still plays an important role in Dunn County’s economy with 36% of the land being dedicated to agricultural production including dairy products, corn, soybeans and other crops. Education also plays an important role with three public school districts serving over 6200 students as well as two universities located within the county: University of Wisconsin-Stout and Chippewa Valley Technical College both located in Menomonie.