Merrill, Wisconsin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Merrill is a city in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,146 at the 2000 census. The city is located to the south of and adjacent to the Town of Merrill.

The Merrill area had a 2000 census population of 16,289, and comprises the core of the United States Census Bureau's Merrill mSA, which includes all of Lincoln County (2000 population: 29,641). Together with the Wausau MSA (which includes all of Marathon County, 2000 population: 125,834) it forms the Wausau-Merrill CSA. As of the 2000 census, the CSA's total population was 155,475.

1 Geography
2 Government
3 Education
- 3.1 Public Schools
- 3.2 Private Schools
4 Demographics
5 Trivia
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Merrill is located at 45°10′57″N, 89°41′44″W (45.182569, -89.69559)^GR1, along the Wisconsin River at its confluence with the Prairie River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.5 km² (7.5 mi²). 18.2 km² (7.0 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (6.51%) is water.

[edit] Government

Lincoln County Courthouse located in downtown Merrill

Elected Officials

Mayor - Douglas C.Williams
President of the Council - Judy Hatz
City Clerk - Bill Heideman
Municipal Court Judge - Merle James Sheridan
Street Commissioner - Ralph Sturm

Department Heads and Appointed Officials

Airport Manager/FBO - John Miller
Building Inspector - Darin Pagel
Chief of Police - Neil Strobel
City Administrator - Tony Chladek
City Assessor - Kenneth Hoffman
City Attorney - Thomas Hayden
City Engineer & Water Utility Manager - Pat Geisendorfer
City Forester - Dan Wendorf
Finance/Technology Director - Kathy Unertl
Community Development Director - Mike Martin

[edit] Education

Merrill is served by the Merrill Area Public Schools, the area's school district which covers the majority of Lincoln County and small areas of the neighboring counties. [1] Northcentral Technical College's Public Safety Training center was built in Merrill in 2005.

[edit] Public Schools

Merrill High School
Prairie River Middle School
Jefferson Elementary School
Kate Goodrich Elementary School
Maple Grove Elementary School
Midway Elementary School
Pine River Elementary School
Scott Elementary School
Washington Elementary School

[edit] Private Schools

Trinity Lutheran School
St. Johns Lutheran School
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School
New Testament Church Christian Academy

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 10,146 people, 4,183 households, and 2,631 families residing in the city. The population density was 556.4/km² (1,441.7/mi²). There were 4,397 housing units at an average density of 241.1/km² (624.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.77% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,183 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,098, and the median income for a family was $45,860. Males had a median income of $30,789 versus $21,372 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,429. About 5.7% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Trivia

The town, along with the surrounding Lincoln and Marathon counties, was the setting for the low budget 1975 film The Giant Spider Invasion. The film was featured in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 during Season 8.