Park Falls, Wisconsin

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Park Falls is a city in Price County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,793 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Description
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Park Falls is located at 45°56′5″N, 90°26′55″W (45.934590, -90.448538)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 km² (3.8 mi²). 9.2 km² (3.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (6.58%) is water.

[edit] Description

Located in the woods of north central Wisconsin, primarily the Chequamegon National Forest, Park Falls is small community divided by the North Fork of the Flambeau River. The Flambeau is a popular destination for fishing, canoeing and whitewater rafting.

The abundance of public forests and several lakes, including the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage to the east of the city, has made Park Falls a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and ATV riding are popular attractions for residents and tourists alike and the town is connected to an extensive system of off highway vehicle (OHV) trails.

The city began in the late 1800s as a small river village called Muskellunge Falls, but was later renamed Park Falls for the scenic beauty surrounding the former falls on the south side of town. With a pulp and paper mill, the town grew rapidly and officially became a city in 1912.

At the height of the city's industrial success the city's population swelled to more than 4,000 residents. At the same time, commercial development fueled a vibrant downtown sector, which largely remains today.

Several residential neighborhoods, particularly along 1st Avenue North, were constructed of nearly identical homes and this affordable housing stock is one of the community's lasting assets today.

Recent development, which mostly began in the early 1990s, has mostly been concentrated along Highway 13, a north and south state highway that is the main thoroughfare through town. Because Park Falls' downtown is located a few blocks east of the highway, contemporary development has taken a portion of the commercial development out of the district.

Because Park Falls has been called the most geographically isolated community in all of Wisconsin, several governmental services are located there, including a physically large school district, a National Forest Service office, an outpost of the Wisconsin Department of National Resources and the north office of the state governor.

Park Falls has two stoplight-controlled intersections, the only stoplights in Price County. The nearest neighboring community with a stoplight is at least 45 minutes away in any direction.

The Flambeau River was once the namesake of the former Flambeau Paper Company, once the largest employer in the area. The mill, which closed in early 2006, underwent many name changes throughout its more than 100-year history. The mill's closure was a significant economic shock for the community. Local and state officials stepped in to offer relocation, educational and mental health services for displaced workers. A buyer was found for the mill and it was reopened in August 2006 as Flambeau River Papers.

Park Falls is also home to St. Croix Rod, a world-renowned fishing rod company and a factory for Medford, WI-based Weather Shield, a window manufacturer.

The town's slowly declining population, eroding tax base and shrinking class sizes have created financial challenges for the Park Falls School District, geographically the largest school district in Wisconsin. The school district's athletics programs have a history of state championships and record-setting athletes.

Park Falls celebrates its community festival, Flambeaurama, every year during the first weekend in August. The fair is a popular event for current and former residents and many high school class reunions are held during the four-day event.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,793 people, 1,185 households, and 718 families residing in the city. The population density was 303.8/km² (787.1/mi²). There were 1,302 housing units at an average density of 141.6/km² (366.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.99% White, 0.11% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 1,185 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,860, and the median income for a family was $42,930. Males had a median income of $31,855 versus $20,959 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,929. About 5.5% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.