Thiensville, Wisconsin

History

The area that later became Thiensville was first surveyed between 1834 and 1836, after the United States government removed Native Americans from the land. Weston built the first log cabin in the area, and became the area's first postmaster. He soon sold his land holdings to John Henry Thien.

John Henry Thien (or Jochim Heinrich Thien), was a wealthy German immigrant who had stopped in Milwaukee after leaving Saxony with his wife. They set on finding a place to live in this new area, and journeyed north in 1842. They eventually settled along the Milwaukee River, where Thien purchased 148 acres (0.60 km²) of land and founded Thiensville that same year.

In 1846, the Wisconsin Territorial government formed the Town of Mequon, with borders that included all of present-day Mequon and Thiensville. The first town meetings were held in Thien's home. Thiensville itself was incorporated as a village in 1910, with a population of 289.

Geography

Thiensville is located at 43°14′13″N 87°58′48″W (43.236806, -87.979951).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.10 square miles (2.85 km²), of which, 1.09 square miles (2.82 km²) of it is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.

The village of Thiensville is completely surrounded by the larger city of Mequon.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,235 people, 1,532 households, and 865 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,967.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,145.9/km²). There were 1,644 housing units at an average density of 1,508.3 per square mile (582.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 93.3% White, 1.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.

There were 1,532 households of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.5% were non-families. 38.5% 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 2.11 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the village was 46.3 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 31% were from 45 to 64; and 21% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 45.8% male and 54.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,254 people, 1,503 households, and 933 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,964.7 people per square mile (1,142.2/km²). There were 1,570 housing units at an average density of 1,430.4 per square mile (551.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.56% White, 0.74% African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 1,503 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the village, the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $55,962, and the median income for a family was $69,286. Males had a median income of $46,088 versus $29,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $30,748. About 1.9% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Thiensville is governed by a board of seven trustees and a village president.

Village presidents of Thiensville:

Education

Thiensville is served by the Mequon-Thiensville School District.

Attractions

Thiensville Park, along the Milwaukee river, hosts the "Family Fun Before the Fourth" annually on the Saturday before July 4. The park also hosts the town's annual Lion's Fest every June.

From June to October, The Thiensville Farmers Market is held by the Milwaukee River in the scenic Village Park (299 Elm St.) every Tuesday (8am - 7pm), where fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers from area growers are sold.

Main Street, which runs the length of the village, is the site of the Thiensville business district, consisting of many historic buildings which have been converted into small shops and businesses.

In November and December, Main Street has a light display for the holiday season.

Notable people