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Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Coordinates: 43°27′35″N 88°50′9″W / 43.45972°N 88.83583°W / 43.45972; -88.83583
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This article is about the city. For the adjacent town, see Beaver Dam (town), Wisconsin.

Beaver Dam
City
Left to right, from top: Downtown Beaver Dam, Family Ice Arena, Lake Front Home, Downtown Watertower, Riverview Park, and the Dodge County Historical Society
Location of Beaver Dam in Dodge County, Wisconsin
Location of Beaver Dam in Dodge County, Wisconsin
Beaver Dam is located in Wisconsin
Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam
Location of Beaver Dam in Wisconsin
Beaver Dam is located in the United States
Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam (the United States)
Coordinates: 43°27′35″N 88°50′9″W / 43.45972°N 88.83583°W / 43.45972; -88.83583
CountryUnited States of America
StateWisconsin
CountyDodge County
Settled1852
Government
 • MayorBecky Glewen
Area
[1]
 • City8.70 sq mi (22.52 km2)
 • Land7.31 sq mi (18.94 km2)
 • Water1.38 sq mi (3.59 km2)  16.89%
Elevation
[2]
879 ft (268 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • City16,708
 • Density2,242.99/sq mi (866.07/km2)
 • Metro
88,489
Time zoneCentral
ZIP code
53916[4]
Area code920
FIPS code55-05900
GNIS feature ID1561457[2]
Websitewww.cityofbeaverdam.com

Beaver Dam is a city in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States, along Beaver Dam Lake and the Beaver Dam River. The population was 16,708 at the 2020 census, making it the largest city primarily located in Dodge County.[5] It is the principal city of the Beaver Dam Micropolitan Statistical area which is included in the larger Milwaukee–Waukesha–Racine CSA. The city is adjacent to the Town of Beaver Dam.

History

[edit]

Beaver Dam was first settled by Thomas Mackie and Joseph Goetschius in 1841; by 1843, it had a population of almost 100. The city was named for an old beaver dam located in a stream flowing into Beaver Dam River.[6] The area had also been known as Okwaanim, Chippewa for beaver dam.[7] The community was incorporated as a city on March 18, 1856.[8] That same year the Milwaukee Railroad reached the area, encouraging further growth.

Beaver Dam hosted a World War II prisoner of war camp called Camp Beaver Dam in the summer of 1944. The camp held 300 German prisoners in a tent city encampment where the Wayland Academy field house now stands.[9]

Geography and climate

[edit]
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Drumlins near Beaver Dam city and lake, Wisconsin, in one of the largest drumlin fields in the world

Beaver Dam is located at 43°27′35″N 88°50′9″W / 43.45972°N 88.83583°W / 43.45972; -88.83583 (43.459967, −88.836066).[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.70 square miles (22.53 km2), of which, 7.31 square miles (18.93 km2) is land and 1.38 square miles (3.57 km2) is water.[11]

Beaver Dam has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb). Since 1996, the average annual snowfall in Beaver Dam has been 63.5 inches (161 cm). The 2007–2008 winter season was the snowiest on record with 119.7 inches (304 cm).[12]

Climate data for Beaver Dam Wastewater Treatment Plant, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–1895, 1953–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 59
(15) 		70
(21) 		81
(27) 		90
(32) 		98
(37) 		98
(37) 		102
(39) 		100
(38) 		97
(36) 		89
(32) 		76
(24) 		65
(18) 		102
(39)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 44.8
(7.1) 		49.1
(9.5) 		64.2
(17.9) 		76.3
(24.6) 		84.1
(28.9) 		89.2
(31.8) 		90.1
(32.3) 		89.1
(31.7) 		86.6
(30.3) 		78.8
(26.0) 		63.7
(17.6) 		49.4
(9.7) 		92.5
(33.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 24.7
(−4.1) 		28.6
(−1.9) 		40.8
(4.9) 		54.3
(12.4) 		66.5
(19.2) 		76.6
(24.8) 		80.1
(26.7) 		78.3
(25.7) 		71.6
(22.0) 		58.4
(14.7) 		42.9
(6.1) 		30.4
(−0.9) 		54.4
(12.4)
Daily mean °F (°C) 16.8
(−8.4) 		20.0
(−6.7) 		31.6
(−0.2) 		44.1
(6.7) 		56.1
(13.4) 		66.2
(19.0) 		70.0
(21.1) 		68.3
(20.2) 		60.6
(15.9) 		48.1
(8.9) 		34.5
(1.4) 		22.9
(−5.1) 		44.9
(7.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 8.8
(−12.9) 		11.4
(−11.4) 		22.5
(−5.3) 		33.9
(1.1) 		45.7
(7.6) 		55.8
(13.2) 		59.8
(15.4) 		58.2
(14.6) 		49.6
(9.8) 		37.9
(3.3) 		26.2
(−3.2) 		15.4
(−9.2) 		35.4
(1.9)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −11.5
(−24.2) 		−6.6
(−21.4) 		3.7
(−15.7) 		22.2
(−5.4) 		33.1
(0.6) 		44.0
(6.7) 		50.8
(10.4) 		48.9
(9.4) 		36.4
(2.4) 		25.5
(−3.6) 		12.6
(−10.8) 		−3.3
(−19.6) 		−15.1
(−26.2)
Record low °F (°C) −36
(−38) 		−30
(−34) 		−22
(−30) 		6
(−14) 		23
(−5) 		34
(1) 		35
(2) 		37
(3) 		26
(−3) 		14
(−10) 		−12
(−24) 		−24
(−31) 		−36
(−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.49
(38) 		1.42
(36) 		2.13
(54) 		3.83
(97) 		4.05
(103) 		5.04
(128) 		4.14
(105) 		4.07
(103) 		3.26
(83) 		3.04
(77) 		2.15
(55) 		1.65
(42) 		36.27
(921)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 13.0
(33) 		10.6
(27) 		6.6
(17) 		1.7
(4.3) 		0.1
(0.25) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.4
(1.0) 		2.1
(5.3) 		8.8
(22) 		43.3
(110)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 9.6 8.7 9.3 10.9 11.9 11.2 10.1 9.5 9.5 10.1 8.4 9.6 118.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 5.3 4.9 2.8 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.3 5.0 20.3
Source: NOAA[13][14]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18602,765—
18703,26518.1%
18803,4164.6%
18904,22223.6%
19005,12821.5%
19106,75831.8%
19207,99218.3%
19309,86723.5%
194010,3565.0%
195011,86714.6%
196013,11810.5%
197014,2658.7%
198014,149−0.8%
199014,1960.3%
200015,1696.9%
201016,2146.9%
202016,7083.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2020,[16] the population was 16,708. The population density was 2,284.7 inhabitants per square mile (882.1/km2). There were 7,699 housing units at an average density of 1,052.8 units per square mile (406.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.0% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 4.7% from other races, and 7.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 11.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the American Community Survey estimates for 2016–2020, the median income for a household in the city was $55,551, and the median income for a family was $73,309. Male full-time workers had a median income of $48,773 versus $40,140 for female workers. The per capita income for the city was $30,729. About 6.2% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.[17] Of the population age 25 and over, 93.0% were high school graduates or higher and 21.4% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[18]

2010 census

[edit]
Williams Free Library

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 16,214 people, 6,819 households, and 4,113 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,387.9 inhabitants per square mile (922.0/km2). There were 7,326 housing units at an average density of 1,078.9 units per square mile (416.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.0% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 3.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.5% of the population.

There were 6,819 households, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.7% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 15,169 people, 6,349 households, and 3,999 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,904.6 people per square mile (1,121.5 people/km2). There were 6,685 housing units at an average density of 1,280.1 units per square mile (494.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.95% White, 0.44% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.61% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 4.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,349 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

Education

[edit]

The Beaver Dam Unified School District provides public education in the area.

Primary education

[edit]
Moraine Park Technical College campus in Beaver Dam
Water tower in Beaver Dam

Beaver Dam's five public primary schools for K to 5th grades are Jefferson Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Prairie View Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Wilson Elementary.

There are two parochial primary schools: St. Katharine Drexel (grades: Pre-K to 8th),[20] and St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran (grades: K to 8th).[21]

Middle school

[edit]

Beaver Dam Middle School is the local public middle school, teaching 6th through 8th grades.

Secondary education

[edit]

Beaver Dam High School is the local public high school; its mascot is the Golden Beaver. An alternative school, the Don Smith Learning Academy, is part of the Beaver Dam Unified School District.

Beaver Dam High School

The city is also home to Wayland Academy, a private school.

Wayland Hall

Post-secondary education

[edit]

The Beaver Dam campus of Moraine Park Technical College is located in the city.

The Beaver Dam Municipal Building
Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre

Healthcare

[edit]

Marshfield Medical Center-Beaver Dam is a 163-bed hospital.[22] There are 44.4 primary care physicians per 100,000 population in Beaver Dam.[23] The area is designated as both a mental health and primary care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) qualifying the region as a medical desert.[24] By 2035, Beaver Dam is expected to have 48.4% deficit in primary care physicians, the eighth largest predicted deficit in Wisconsin.[23] There are two behavioral health professionals in Beaver Dam.[23]

[edit]
  • Dodge County Historical Society
    Dodge County Historical Society
  • Beaver Dam Family Center and Ice Arena
    Beaver Dam Family Center and Ice Arena
  • Old Hickory Golf Club
    Old Hickory Golf Club
  • Wayland Academy Flag and gathering area
    Wayland Academy Flag and gathering area

Events

[edit]

The following events are held each year in Beaver Dam:[25]

January:

  • Cabin Fever Fest – 4th Sunday

March:

  • Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast – 1st Sunday

April:

  • Rotary Casino Night – 1st Saturday
  • Beaver Dam Area Orchestra Annual Spring Concert – 3rd Saturday

May:

  • Race Into Summer Festival – Sunday of Memorial Day weekend
  • Memorial Day Parade – Memorial Day

June:

  • Taste of Wisconsin (beer & cheese tasting) – Saturday before Father's Day
  • Swan City Classic Car Show – Father's Day

July:

  • Lake Days / Swan Park Craft Fair – 2nd weekend

August:

  • Corn Roast – 1st Thursday
  • Dodge County Fair – 3rd Wednesday through the following Sunday

October

  • Fall Downtown Fest

November:

  • Midwest Cream Cheese Competition – Saturday of opening of deer hunting
  • Economic Update Luncheon – 3rd Wednesday

December:

  • Christmas Parade – 1st Saturday

Government

[edit]

Beaver Dam is represented by Glenn Grothman (R) in the United States House of Representatives, and by Ron Johnson (R) and Tammy Baldwin (D) in the United States Senate. John Jagler (R) represents Beaver Dam in the Wisconsin State Senate, and Mark Born (R) in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

[edit]

Films shot in Beaver Dam

[edit]

Films shot about Beaver Dam

[edit]

Films referencing Beaver Dam

[edit]
  • For Me and My Gal (1942), in which "Beaverdam, Wis." is the first stop for Palmer & Hayden after they team up
  • Pardon My Past (1945), in which "Beaverdam, Wis." is the destination of Eddie and Chuck to start a mink farm after leaving the service

Notable people

[edit]

Government

[edit]

Professional sports

[edit]

Business

[edit]

Science, media, and the arts

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  4. ^ "Beaver Dam WI ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Watertown, Wisconsin is larger, but it is mostly in Jefferson County
  6. ^ "Beaver Dam, Wisconsin – A Brief History". Wisconsin Historical Society.
  7. ^ Virgil J. Voegl. Indian Names on Wisconsin's Map. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1991, p. 142. ISBN 0-299-12980-2
  8. ^ Private and Local Laws Passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin in the Year Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-six. Madison, Wisconsin: Calkins & Proudfit. 1856. p. 316.
  9. ^ Betty Cowley (2002). Stalag Wisconsin: Inside WW II Prisoner-of-war Camps. Oregon, Wis.: Badger Books. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-878569-83-7. In trucks under heavy military escort, 300 German PW's arrived on the 17th of June.
  10. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  11. ^ "2020 Gazetteer Files". census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  14. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  15. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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  18. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Beaver Dam city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  20. ^ "Saint Katharine Drexel School: Pre-School & 4K". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  21. ^ St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran School
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  23. ^ a b c "Reports". WCMEW. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  24. ^ "Find Shortage Areas by Address". data.hrsa.gov. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  25. ^ Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce
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  27. ^ Votesmart.org.-Mark Born
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  36. ^ Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present-Edwin J. Jones
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[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Wikisource has the text of a 1921 Collier's Encyclopedia article about Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
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