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

Beaver Dam was first settled by Thomas Mackie and Joseph Goetschius in 1841, and by 1843 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

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]

Normal temperatures

(NWS climate station) [13]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Max °F 25.3 27.8 42.0 54.5 68.1 77.6 81.7 79.4 72.2 58.2 43.7 30.8
Annual
55.5
Min °F 8.2 8.9 22.5 34.2 46.8 56.8 60.6 58.8 51.3 39.3 27.1 15.7
Annual
36.3

Normal precipitation

(NWS climate station) [13]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Inch 1.76 1.82 2.57 4.17 4.45 5.29 4.02 4.52 3.82 3.55 2.18 2.40
Annual
40.55

Snowfall

(NWS climate station)[13]
Year 1996–
1997		 1997–
1998		 1998–
1999		 1999–
2000		 2000–
2001		 2001–
2002		 2002–
2003		 2003–
2004		 2004–
2005
Inch 80.0 60.0 49.5 42.3 62.5 40.7 35.5 30.4 53.3
Year 2005–
2006		 2006–
2007		 2007–
2008		 2008–
2009		 2009–
2010		 2010–
2011		 2011–
2012		 2012–
2013		 2013–
2014
Inch 51.3 61.5 119.7 47.2 97.4 68.6 35.5 54.7 63.9
Year 2014–
2015		 2015–
2016		 2016–
2017		 2017–
2018		 2018–
2019		 2019–
2020		 2020–
2021		 2021–
2022		 2022–
2023
Inch 68.5 78.1 96.3 64.0 85.9 79.5 53.5 40.9 93.3
Annual Avg.
63.5

Demographics

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[14]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020,[15] 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 per square mile (406.5/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.[16] 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.[17]

2010 census

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 per square mile (416.6/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 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

As of the census[18] 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 (1,122.0/km2). There were 6,685 housing units at an average density of 1,280.1 per square mile (494.5/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

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

Primary education

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),[19] and St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran (grades: K to 8th).[20]

Middle school

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

Secondary education

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 Cory Schaefer

Post-secondary education

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

Marshfield Medical Center-Beaver Dam is a 163 bed hospital.[21] There are 44.4 primary care physicians per 100,000 population in Beaver Dam.[22] The area is designated as both a mental health and primary care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) qualifying the region as a medical desert.[23] By 2035, Beaver Dam is expected to have 48.4% deficit in primary care physicians, the eighth largest predicted deficit in Wisconsin.[22] There are two behavioral health professionals in Beaver Dam.[22]

Events

The following events are held each year in Beaver Dam, WI:[24]

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

November:

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

December:

  • Christmas Parade – 1st Saturday

Government

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.

Films shot in Beaver Dam

Films shot about Beaver Dam

Films referencing Beaver Dam

  • 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

Government

Professional sports

Business

Science, media, and the arts

References

  1. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
  3. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 "Daily Summaries Station Details: TOWN OF WESTFORD, WI US, GHCND:USC00478540 | Climate Data Online (CDO) | National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)".
  14. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census: Beaver Dam city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Beaver Dam city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Beaver Dam city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  18. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  19. ↑ "Saint Katharine Drexel School: Pre-School & 4K". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  20. ↑ St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran School
  21. ↑ "American Hospital Directory – Marshfield Medical Center – Beaver Dam (520076) – Free Profile". www.ahd.com. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  22. 1 2 3 "Reports". WCMEW. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Find Shortage Areas by Address". data.hrsa.gov. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  24. ↑ Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce
  25. ↑ Paul F. Hunter, ed. (1919). The Wisconsin Blue Book 1919. Madison: Democrat Printing Co. p. 470.
  26. ↑ Votesmart.org.-Mark Born
  27. ↑ "Samuel D. Burchard". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Michael E. Burke". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  29. ↑ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1948,' Biographical Sketch of Jesse Anson Canniff, pg. 46
  30. ↑ Bashford, R. M. (ed.). The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin. 15th ed. Madison: E. B. Bolens,1876, p. 464.
  31. ↑ "Official Director". The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin. 1874. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  32. ↑ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1895,' Biographical Sketch of Charles M. Hambright, pg. 689
  33. ↑ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1901,' Biographical Sketch of Michael A, Jacobs, pg 732
  34. ↑ "Representative Andre Jacque". Wisconsin State Legislature. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  35. ↑ Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present-Edwin J. Jones
  36. ↑ 'Wisconsin Blue Cook 1940,' Biographical Sketch of William Jones, pg. 42
  37. ↑ "Robert Kastenmeier". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Walter J. LaBuy". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Silas W. Lamoreaux". Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  40. ↑ 'Proceedings of the State Bar Association on Wisconsin 1907,' Wisconsin Bar Association: 1907, Biographical Sketch of Henry W. Lander, pg. 590–593
  41. ↑ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1883,' Biographical Sketch of Edward C. McFetridge. pg. 471
  42. ↑ "George F. Merrill". The University of Wisconsin: its history and its alumni, with historical and . 1900. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  43. ↑ Charles A. Pettibone. Dodge County, Wisconsin, Past and Present. 1913. ISBN 9781403500410. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  44. ↑ Biography of John Samuel Rowell
  45. ↑ "A. Scott Sloan". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  46. ↑ "John Mellen Thurston". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  47. ↑ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1927,' Biographical Sketch of Philip J. Zink, pg. 695
  48. ↑ "Eric Baldwin". CardPlayer.com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Paul Cloyd". Pro-Basketball Reference . Com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  50. ↑ "Ric Flair". Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  51. ↑ "Pink Hawley". Pro-Baseball Reference . Com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  52. ↑ "Addie Joss". Pro-Baseball Reference . Com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  53. ↑ "Lyman Linde". Pro-Baseball Reference . Com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Doug Lloyd". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  55. ↑ "Jason Maas". .argonauts.ca. Archived from the original on August 31, 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  56. ↑ "David Maley". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  57. ↑ "Bill Rentmeester". Forty Niners Football Company. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  58. ↑ "Elmer Rhenstrom". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  59. ↑ "Gil Sterr". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  60. ↑ "Barney Traynor". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  61. ↑ Carol, Koby (host) (January 7, 2015). "From Adversity Comes Invention: A Mother and Daughter's Story". All About Living. 97.7 FM Madison. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  62. ↑ Frederick Douglas Underwood. Wisconsin Biographical Dictionary. January 2008. ISBN 9781878592637. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  63. ↑ "Delia Akeley". Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  64. ↑ "Edward Creutz". Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  65. ↑ "Brian Donlevy". .dodgecountyhistory.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  66. ↑ "Lois Ehlert". Wisconsin Center for the Boo. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  67. ↑ "Zona Gale". Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 11, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  68. ↑ "Raymond Gallun". Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  69. ↑ "Bobby Hatfield". Legacy.com #sthash.8Pj5VXQu.dpuf. November 6, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  70. ↑ "Fred MacMurray". Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 10, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  71. ↑ Salak, Kira (2004). Four Corners: A Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea. National Geographic Books. p. 50. ISBN 9781632060020.
  72. ↑ "Nancy Zieman". wpt2.org. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
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