River Falls, Wisconsin

History

The city's first settlers were Joel Foster and his indentured servant, Dick, in the year 1848. The original village was started as the village of Kinnickinnic in 1854 by brothers Nathaniel N. and Oliver S. Powell who were from St. Lawrence County, New York. At the time, the town and village were also known as "Greenwood" but this was changed, as another Greenwood, Wisconsin already existed. The present name is for the rapids on the Kinnickinnic River.

Geography

River Falls is located at 44°51′31″N 92°37′30″W (44.858701, -92.625097).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.60 square miles (17.09 km²), of which, 6.52 square miles (16.89 km²) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km²) is water.

River Falls lies on the banks of the Kinnickinnic River, a class one trout stream. The South Fork of the Kinnickinnic River runs through the city, dividing the campus of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls into two sections.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 12,560 people, 4,269 households, and 2,335 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,524.0 people per square mile (973.8/km²). There were 4,346 housing units at an average density of 873.2 per square mile (336.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.57% White, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.

There were 4,269 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 35.1% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 14.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,184, and the median income for a family was $60,253. Males had a median income of $36,275 versus $27,345 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,667. About 4.4% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 15,000 people, 5,150 households, and 2,812 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,300.6 inhabitants per square mile (888.3/km²). There were 5,449 housing units at an average density of 835.7 per square mile (322.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 1.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 5,150 households of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.4% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 24.2 years. 17.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 34.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23% were from 25 to 44; 17% were from 45 to 64; and 8.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

Education

School District of River Falls operates public schools. River Falls High School is the area's public high school.

River Falls is home to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a branch of the Chippewa Valley Technical College.

Recreation

The Kinnickinnic River is a popular recreational attraction in River Falls for fly fishers and kayakers. The river flows through the heart of the city and its downtown business district.

Past the downtown business district on the bluffs of the Kinnickinnic River is Glen Park, a 41-acre park established in 1898. Overlooking the Kinnickinnic River, the park has playgrounds, a historic swimming pool, soccer fields, a softball diamond, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, a gazebo, and several miles of walking trails.

Hoffman Park, located northeast of downtown River Falls, is a 53-acre (21 ha) facility that contains baseball fields, a nine-hole disc golf course, a campsite, a skate park, volleyball courts, and the Tri-Angels Playground. The playground was named after Amara, Sophie, and Cecilia Schaffhausen, who were murdered by their father, Aaron Schaffhausen. The playground, accessible to handicapped children and built with designs referring to the three girls, opened in 2015. It was constructed at a cost of $550,000 by volunteers.

The Glen Park Pool was built in 1937 and renovated for its 75th anniversary in 2012.

Glen Park's Swinging Bridge offers a view of the South Fork rapids as it enters the Kinnickinnic River. The bridge, a replica of one designed by the Minneapolis Bridge Company and constructed in 1925, is a suspension bridge that spans the South Fork Rapids at the site of the former Cascade Mill and Dam. Below the bridge are fishing and picnic spots.

Another attraction is The Falls Theater, a movie theater.