Peshtigo, Wisconsin

Name

Peshtigo took its name from the nearby Peshtigo River. The etymology of Peshtigo is uncertain. Explanations include an Ojibwe word meaning 'river of the wild goose', a Menominee word for 'snapping turtle', a word meaning 'passing through a marsh', or a reference to a local Menominee band known as Pesh-tiko.

Peshtigo Fire

On October 8, 1871, a forest fire driven by strong winds totally consumed Peshtigo along with a dozen other villages, killing 1,200 to 2,500 people and charring approximately 1.5 million acres (6,000 km²). This fire, known as the Peshtigo Fire, is the deadliest in American history. Unidentifiable remains of hundreds of residents were buried in a mass grave at the Peshtigo Fire Cemetery. The Peshtigo Fire Museum features several items that survived the fire, plus other artifacts from the area's history.

This fire happened on the same day as the Great Chicago fire, the Holland, Michigan fire, the Port Huron Fire of 1871, and The Great Michigan Fire in Manistee, Michigan.

Geography

Peshtigo is located at 45°3′13″N 87°44′45″W (45.053759, −87.746028).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.20 square miles (8.29 km²), of which, 3.03 square miles (7.85 km²) is land and 0.17 square miles (0.44 km²) is water.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,502 people, 1,469 households, and 888 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,155.8 inhabitants per square mile (446.3/km²). There were 1,621 housing units at an average density of 535.0 per square mile (206.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.1% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 1,469 households of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.6% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 43.2 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 22.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,357 people, 1,315 households, and 879 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,101.8 people per square mile (425.0/km²). There were 1,416 housing units at an average density of 464.8 per square mile (179.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.00% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,315 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,898, and the median income for a family was $41,900. Males had a median income of $31,815 versus $21,531 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,379. About 5.6% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Peshtigo School District provides public education for the Peshtigo area.

Modern culture

The fictional character Caroline Duffy from the TV show Caroline in the City is from Peshtigo. The town was mentioned on the show many times.