Menasha () is a city in
Calumet
Calumet may refer to:
Places United States
*Calumet Region, in northern Illinois and Indiana
**Calumet River
**Calumet Trail, Indiana
** Calumet (East Chicago)
* Calumet, Colorado
*Calumet, Iowa
* Calumet, Michigan
*Calumet, Minnesota
* Calumet ...
and
Winnebago Winnebago can refer to:
* The exonym of the Ho-Chunk tribe of Native North Americans with reservations in Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin
** Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, a federally recognized tribe group in the state
** The Winnebago language of the ...
counties in the U.S. state of
Wisconsin
Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...
. The population was 18,268 at the
2020 census. Of this, 15,144 were in Winnebago County, and 2,209 were in Calumet County. The city is located mostly in Winnebago County; only a small portion is in the
Town of Harrison in Calumet County.
Doty Island
Doty Island is an island in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Its northern part is in the city of Menasha and its southern part is in the city of Neenah. Doty Island is surrounded by two branches of the Fox River on the north and south, flowing from ...
is located partially in Menasha. The city's name comes from the Winnebago word meaning "thorn" or "island". In the
Menominee language
Menominee , also spelled Menomini (In Menominee Language: omǣqnomenēweqnæsewen) is an endangered Algonquian language spoken by the historic Menominee people of what is now northern Wisconsin in the United States. The federally recognized trib ...
, it is known as ''Menāēhsaeh'', meaning "little island". Menasha is home to the
Barlow Planetarium
The Barlow Planetarium is a planetarium located at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus in Menasha, Wisconsin. Established in 1998, it was the first major planetarium in Wisconsin. It is named after late businessman and mineral ...
and
Weis Earth Science Museum, both housed at the
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus.
Geography
Menasha is located at (44.2129, −88.4362).
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water.
Demographics
Menasha is a city in the
Appleton–Oshkosh–Neenah CSA, a
Combined Statistical Area
Combined statistical area (CSA) is a United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) term for a combination of adjacent metropolitan (MSA) and micropolitan statistical areas (µSA) across the 50 US states and the territory of Puerto Ric ...
which includes the Appleton (Calumet and Outagamie counties) and Oshkosh–Neenah (
Winnebago County) metropolitan areas, which had a combined population of 392,660 at the
2010 census and an estimated population of 409,881 as of 2019.
2020 census
At the
2020 census there were 18,268 people residing in the city. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was . The
racial makeup
A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
of the city was 85.9% White, 1.8% African American, 1.3% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.2%.
2010 census
At the
2010 census there were 17,353 people, 7,405 households, and 4,415 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 7,973 housing units at an average density of . The
racial makeup
A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
of the city was 90.8% White, 1.2% African American, 0.7% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.9%.
Of the 7,405 households 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. 32.2% of households were one person and 9.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.95.
The median age was 36 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
2000 census
At the
2000 census there were 16,331 people, 6,951 households, and 4,233 families living in the city. The population density was 3,106.9 people per square mile (1,198.8/km). There were 7,271 housing units at an average density of 1,383.3 per square mile (533.7/km). The
racial makeup
A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
of the city was 94.80% White, 0.54% African American, 0.61% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.38% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.61%.
Of the 6,951 households 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 31.8% of households were one person and 10.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.99.
The age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.
The median household income was $39,936 and the median family income was $47,401. Males had a median income of $36,705 versus $25,176 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,743. About 5.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The city of Menasha has a city council-mayor system of government. There are eight districts in the city, each represented by an aldermen. The council meets weekly with the mayor, Don Merkes.
Religion
![St](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/St._Thomas%2C_Neenah-Menasha%2C_Wisconsin.jpg)
The
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), also referred to simply as the Wisconsin Synod, is an American Confessional Lutheran denomination of Christianity. Characterized as theologically conservative, it was founded in 1850 in Milwaukee ...
(WELS) has two churches in Menasha: Bethel Lutheran Church and Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.
Architect
Harry Weese
Harry Mohr Weese (June 30, 1915 – October 29, 1998) was an American architect who had an important role in 20th century modernism and historic preservation. His brother, Ben Weese, is also a renowned architect.
Early life and education
Harry ...
designed Menasha's
St Thomas' Episcopal Church.
Education
![Menasha High School](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Menasha_High_School.jpg)
* Elementary schools
** Clovis Grove Elementary School
** Gegan Elementary School
** Nicolet Elementary School
** Jefferson Elementary School
** Banta Elementary School
** Butte des Morts Elementary School
** Trinity Lutheran School
** Bethel Lutheran School
** St. Mary Catholic Elementary School
* Junior high/middle schools
** Maplewood Middle School
** Trinity Lutheran School
** Bethel Lutheran School
* High schools
**
Menasha High School
Menasha High School is a public high school located in Menasha, Wisconsin, formally organized in 1875.
Athletics
Menasha's athletic teams are known as the Blue Jays, and compete in the Bay Conference. For many years, they held a football riv ...
** Fox Valley Alternative School
* Colleges and universities
**
University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus
Economy
Companies headquartered in Menasha
*
Faith Technologies
Tourism
![UWFoxValleyBarlowPlanetarium](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/UWFoxValleyBarlowPlanetarium.jpg)
Tourists visiting Menasha often go to Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, a 91-acre urban nature reserve with habitats including forested wetland, cattail marsh, open water, created prairie, open field, and upland forest. The
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus houses the
Weis Earth Science Museum, The Official Mineralogical Museum of Wisconsin; The
Barlow Planetarium
The Barlow Planetarium is a planetarium located at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus in Menasha, Wisconsin. Established in 1998, it was the first major planetarium in Wisconsin. It is named after late businessman and mineral ...
, The First Major Planetarium in Wisconsin; and the Communication Arts Center, a 51,000 square foot facility academic building with an art gallery and theatrical/musical performances.
Parks/Trails
The City of Menasha contains 7 neighborhood parks, 2 community parks, 2 Mini-parks, and 11 special purpose parks. The City of Menasha also has a public pool located in Jefferson Park.
Smith Park is the oldest park in the Menasha Park system. The park celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 1997, making it one of the oldest city parks in the state.
![FriendshipStateTrailMenashaWisconsin](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/FriendshipStateTrailMenashaWisconsin.jpg)
Several unique features make Smith Park an attraction worth seeing and an important community asset. A railroad caboose, presented to the Menasha Historical Society, commemorates the fact that Menasha was the birthplace of the original Wisconsin Central Railroad. At the southern end of the park are several Native American burial mounds - large settlements of Fox and Winnebago Native Americans once inhabited the area - and a natural amphitheater used for summer concerts. The north end of the park features semi-formal gardens planted each year with approximately 6,000 annuals, a setting that is a favorite for summer weddings. A gazebo funded with corporate donations was built in this area in 1997.
Menasha has many public trails for bikes/pedestrians. One of the most used, Loop the Little Lake is a 3.5 mile route that links three (3) communities (Village of Fox Crossing, City of Menasha and City of Neenah).
Friendly cities
*
Maebashi
is the capital city of Gunma Prefecture, in the northern Kantō region of Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 335,352 in 151,171 households, and a population density of 1100 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . It wa ...
, Japan
Notable people
![ElishaDSmithPublicLibraryMenashaWisconsin](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/ElishaDSmithPublicLibraryMenashaWisconsin.jpg)
*
Joseph H. Anderson, legislator
*
John A. Bryan
John Alexander Bryan (April 13, 1794 in Berkshire County, Massachusetts – May 24, 1864 in Menasha, Wisconsin) was an American diplomat and politician from New York (state), New York and Ohio.
He removed to Ellicottville, New York, and was ...
, U.S. diplomat
*
Silas Bullard, jurist and legislator
*
Elmer J. Burr
Elmer J. Burr (May 11, 1908 – December 25, 1942) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
Biography
Burr was born on May 11, ...
,
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...
recipient
*
Arnold J. Cane
Arnold J. Cane (December 11, 1914 – September 10, 1968) was an American lawyer, jurist, and legislator.
Born in Ontonagon, Michigan, Cane attended to the public schools in Ontonagon. He then received his doctorate and law degrees from Marque ...
, jurist and legislator
*
Connie Clausen
Connie Clausen (born Constance Clausen on June 11, 1923, in Menasha, Wisconsin, and died September 7, 1997, in New York City) was an American actress, author, and literary agent.
Career
Connie Clausen's career began in 1942 at the age of 1 ...
, television and Broadway actress, literary agent, and author of "I Love You Honey but The Season's Over", a memoir about Menasha
*
Jean Pond Miner Coburn
Jean Pond Miner Coburn (1866–1967) was born in Menasha, Wisconsin. She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, and is most notable for her work ''Forward''.
Early life
Jean Pond Miner was born in Menasha, Wisconsin on the 8th July 1866. He ...
, sculptor
*
Samuel A. Cook, U.S. Representative
*
John Dollard
John Dollard (29 August 1900 – 8 October 1980) was an American psychologist and social scientist known for his studies on race relations in America and the frustration-aggression hypothesis he proposed with Neal E. Miller and others.
Life and ...
, psychologist
*
William Duchman
William Duchman (October 8, 1809 – November 14, 1881) was an American businessman and politician.
Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Duchman served as register of deeds for Lancaster County and was an aide on the staff of the Governo ...
, legislator and sawmill operator
*
A. D. Eldridge
A. D. Eldridge was an American politician. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Biography
Eldridge was born on April 29, 1851, in Menasha, Wisconsin. He would become involved in a number of businesses and work as a merchant.
Politica ...
, legislator and businessman
*
William P. Grimes, legislator and businessman
*
Eric Hinske
Eric Scott Hinske (born August 5, 1977) is an American professional baseball coach and retired outfielder and first baseman who is currently the assistant hitting coach for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). Hinske played in the ...
, hitting coach for the
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...
and former
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league ...
Rookie of the Year
*
Joan Jaykoski
Joan M. Jaykoski (February 3, 1933 – October 15, 2011) was an American outfielder and pitcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Pitching for the Kenosha Comets in 1951, she was 1–3 in 10 games, allowing 26 earned runs an ...
, baseball player
*
James C. Kerwin
James Charles Kerwin (May 14, 1850January 29, 1921) was an American lawyer and judge from Wisconsin. He was a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the last 16 years of his life (1905–1921).
Biography
Born in Menasha, Wisconsin, he ...
, Wisconsin Supreme Court
*
Dave Koslo
George Bernard "Dave" Koslo (né ''Koslowski'', March 31, 1920 – December 1, 1975) was a professional baseball left-handed pitcher over parts of twelve seasons (1941–1942, 1946–1955) with the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee ...
,
MLB
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
player for the
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. ...
,
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
, and the
Milwaukee Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in Bost ...
*
Jean Kraft
Jean Kraft (January 9, 1927 – July 15, 2021) was an American operatic mezzo-soprano. She began her career singing with the New York City Opera (NYCO) during the early 1960s, after which she embarked on a partnership with The Santa Fe Opera fro ...
, opera singer
*
Publius Virgilius Lawson
Publius Virgilius Lawson (December 1, 1853 – December 1, 1920) was a lawyer, historian, manufacturer and politician from Menasha, Wisconsin.
Biography
Publius Virgilius Lawson was born in Corning, New York. His father, Publius Virgilius La ...
, six-term mayor, historian, manufacturer, lawyer
*
George Liberace
George Liberace (July 31, 1911 – October 16, 1983) was an American musician and television performer.
Biography
Born in Menasha, Wisconsin on July 31, 1911, George Liberace was the elder brother and business partner of famed entertainer Libe ...
, musician and television performer, older brother of
Liberace
Władziu Valentino Liberace (May 16, 1919 – February 4, 1987) was an American pianist, singer, and actor. A child prodigy born in Wisconsin to parents of Italian and Polish origin, he enjoyed a career spanning four decades of concerts, recordi ...
*
Jeff Loomis
Jeff Loomis (born September 14, 1971) is an American musician, best known for his role as lead guitarist in the progressive metal band Nevermore during its existence from 1991 to 2011, as well as brief tenures in its precursor, Sanctuary (band) ...
, heavy metal guitarist
*
Thomas J. O'Malley, Lieutenant Governor of
Wisconsin
Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...
*
Curtis Reed, mayor of Menasha, businessman
*
Richard J. Steffens
Richard J. Steffens (August 23, 1921 – January 2, 2008) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Biography
Steffens was born on August 23, 1921, in Neenah, Wisconsin. In 1939, he was valedictorian of his high school class in Menasha, Wiscon ...
, legislator
*
Leslie J. Westberg
Leslie J. Westberg (June 23, 1920 – January 4, 1997) was a Brigadier general (United States), brigadier general in the United States Air Force. He piloted bombers on combat missions in both World War II and the Korean War and reconnaissance ...
,
U.S. Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...
brigadier general
*
Tony Wons, radio actor and commentator in the 1920s and 1930s; born in Menasha
References
External links
City of Menasha*
{{authority control
Cities in Wisconsin
Cities in Winnebago County, Wisconsin
Cities in Calumet County, Wisconsin
Appleton–Fox Cities metropolitan area