Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin

Fond du Lac County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 104,154.^[4] Its county seat is Fond du Lac.^[5] The county was created in the Wisconsin Territory in 1836 and later organized in 1844.^[6] Fond du Lac is French for "bottom of the lake", given so because of the county's location at the southern shore of Lake Winnebago.^[7][8][9] Fond du Lac County comprises the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area.^[10] The Holyland region is in northeastern Fond du Lac County.

Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
County
Fond du Lac County City/County Government Center.
Seal
Map of Wisconsin showing Fond du Lac County
Wisconsin's location in the contiguous United States
Coordinates: 43.76°N 88.49°W / 43.76; -88.49
Incorporated	1839[1]
Named for	French term meaning 'farthest end of the lake'.[2]
County seat	Fond du Lac
Largest city	Fond du Lac
Municipalities	33 (total) 3 cities 21 towns 9 villages
Government
• Type	County
• Body	Board of Supervisors
• Executive	Sam Kaufman
• County Board	25 supervisors
Area
• Total	1,980 km2 (766 sq mi)
• Land	1,900 km2 (720 sq mi)
• Water	120 km2 (46 sq mi)
• Rank	40th largest county in Wisconsin
Population  (2020)[3]
• Total	104,154
• Estimate  (2023)	103,948
• Rank	16th largest county in Wisconsin
• Density	55.9/km2 (144.7/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (Central)
ZIP Code	54971, 53931, 53919, 53946, 53963, 54964, 54932, 54974, 53065, 53006, 54979, 54937, 54935, 53048, 53010, 53040, 53011, 53019, 53057, 53079, 53049, 53061, 53014
Area codes	920
Congressional districts	6th
Interstates
U.S. Highways
State Routes
Airports	Fond du Lac County Airport
Waterways	Fond du Lac River Milwaukee River Rock River Sheboygan River Lake Winnebago
Website	www.fdlco.wi.gov

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 766 square miles (1,980 km²), of which 720 square miles (1,900 km²) is land and 46 square miles (120 km²) (6.0%) is water.^[11]

Adjacent counties

• Winnebago County – north
• Calumet County – northeast
• Sheboygan County – east
• Washington County – southeast
• Dodge County – southwest
• Green Lake County – west

National protected area

• Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Transportation

Major highways

• Interstate 41
• U.S. Highway 41
• U.S. Highway 45
• U.S. Highway 151
• Highway 23 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 26 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 44 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 49 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 67 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 175 (Wisconsin)

Railroads

• Canadian National
• Wisconsin and Southern Railroad

Buses

• Fond du Lac Area Transit

Airport

Fond du Lac County Airport (IATA: FLD, ICAO: KFLD, FAA LID: FLD) serves the county and surrounding communities.

Climate

Fond du Lac County Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D     73     −8 −12     68     −7 −13     85     4 −6     151     17 2     126     23 6     142     25 14     94     28 16     90     24 14     80     22 11     125     15 7     65     5 −2     70     −3 −10 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: [12] Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     2.9     18 10     2.7     19 9     3.3     39 21     5.9     63 36     5     73 43     5.6     77 57     3.7     82 61     3.5     75 57     3.1     72 52     4.9     59 45     2.6     41 28     2.8     27 14 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	139		—
1850	14,510		10,338.8%
1860	34,154		135.4%
1870	46,273		35.5%
1880	46,859		1.3%
1890	44,088		−5.9%
1900	47,589		7.9%
1910	51,610		8.4%
1920	56,119		8.7%
1930	59,883		6.7%
1940	62,353		4.1%
1950	67,829		8.8%
1960	75,085		10.7%
1970	84,567		12.6%
1980	88,964		5.2%
1990	90,083		1.3%
2000	97,296		8.0%
2010	101,633		4.5%
2020	104,154		2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[13] 1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15] 1990–2000[16] 2010–2020[4]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020,^[3] the population was 104,154. The population density was 144.7 inhabitants per square mile (55.9/km²). There were 45,740 housing units at an average density of 63.6 units per square mile (24.6 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.0% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 3.0% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 6.4% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Fond du Lac County

2000 census

As of the census^[17] of 2000, there were 97,296 people, 36,931 households, and 25,482 families residing in the county. The population density was 135 people per square mile (52 people/km²). There were 39,271 housing units at an average density of 54 units per square mile (21 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.16% White, 0.90% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 2.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 57.7% were of German, 6.1% Irish and 5.3% American ancestry. 95.5% spoke English, 2.1% Spanish and 1.3% German as their first language.

There were 36,931 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

In 2017, there were 1,066 births, giving a general fertility rate of 57.7 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 20th lowest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties.^[18] Additionally, there were 74 reported induced abortions performed on women of Fond du Lac County residence in 2017.^[19]

Communities

Fond du Lac Lighthouse in Lakeside Park

Farming in western Fond du Lac County

Cities

• Fond du Lac (county seat)
• Ripon
• Waupun (mostly in Dodge County)

Villages

• Brandon
• Campbellsport
• Eden
• Fairwater
• Kewaskum (mostly in Washington County)
• Mount Calvary
• North Fond du Lac
• Oakfield
• Rosendale
• St. Cloud

Towns

• Alto
• Ashford
• Auburn
• Byron
• Calumet
• Eden
• Eldorado
• Empire
• Fond du Lac
• Forest
• Friendship
• Lamartine
• Marshfield
• Metomen
• Oakfield
• Osceola
• Ripon
• Rosendale
• Springvale
• Taycheedah
• Waupun

Census-designated places

• St. Peter
• Taycheedah
• Van Dyne

Unincorporated communities

Grandstands for the Fond du Lac County Fair

• Alto
• Arcade Acres
• Armstrong
• Artesia Beach
• Ashford
• Banner
• Bergen Beach
• Byron
• Calumet Harbor
• Calumetville
• Calvary
• Chinatown
• Dexter
• Dotyville
• Dundee
• Eldorado
• Elmore
• Garnet
• Gladstone Beach
• Graham Corners
• Hamilton
• Highland Park
• Hopokoekau Beach
• Johnsburg
• Ladoga
• Laudolff Beach
• Luco
• Malone
• Marblehead
• Marytown
• Metomen
• Minawa Beach
• New Fane
• New Prospect
• Oak Center
• Peebles
• Pipe
• Pukwana Beach
• Rogersville
• Rosendale Center
• St. Joe
• Silica
• South Byron
• Waucousta
• Welling Beach
• West Rosendale
• Wilmoore Heights
• Winnebago Heights
• Winnebago Park
• Woodhull

Ghost towns/neighborhoods

• Ceresco
• New Cassel
• Reeds Corners

Public High Schools

• Campbellsport High School
• Fond Du Lac High School
• Horace Mann High School
• Ripon High School

Politics

Fond du Lac has been a historically Republican county, as the party was founded in the town of Ripon, located within the county. It has only voted Democratic in the national landslides of 1964, 1936, and 1932, as well as from 1872 to 1892.

United States presidential election results for Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin^[20]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	35,754	62.45%	20,588	35.96%	909	1.59%
2016	31,022	59.89%	17,387	33.57%	3,387	6.54%
2012	30,355	56.84%	22,379	41.91%	668	1.25%
2008	28,164	53.83%	23,463	44.84%	696	1.33%
2004	33,291	62.77%	19,216	36.23%	529	1.00%
2000	26,548	56.98%	18,181	39.02%	1,860	3.99%
1996	16,488	44.65%	15,542	42.08%	4,901	13.27%
1992	19,785	44.45%	13,757	30.91%	10,964	24.63%
1988	21,985	57.59%	15,887	41.62%	303	0.79%
1984	26,069	64.61%	13,983	34.66%	294	0.73%
1980	24,196	56.97%	15,293	36.01%	2,981	7.02%
1976	22,226	55.79%	16,571	41.59%	1,044	2.62%
1972	21,007	60.99%	12,050	34.99%	1,386	4.02%
1968	18,184	55.59%	12,563	38.41%	1,962	6.00%
1964	12,708	41.29%	18,040	58.61%	30	0.10%
1960	19,498	59.65%	13,132	40.17%	58	0.18%
1956	21,496	72.46%	7,940	26.76%	230	0.78%
1952	22,794	74.43%	7,724	25.22%	107	0.35%
1948	13,760	59.61%	8,904	38.57%	419	1.82%
1944	16,785	63.81%	9,378	35.65%	143	0.54%
1940	16,804	61.46%	10,323	37.76%	215	0.79%
1936	9,179	35.40%	14,821	57.16%	1,931	7.45%
1932	8,436	33.74%	16,143	64.56%	425	1.70%
1928	12,593	51.36%	11,719	47.80%	205	0.84%
1924	8,516	41.62%	2,222	10.86%	9,722	47.52%
1920	12,543	74.58%	3,409	20.27%	867	5.15%
1916	5,781	52.16%	5,021	45.30%	282	2.54%
1912	3,014	31.34%	4,838	50.31%	1,764	18.34%
1908	5,872	50.86%	5,194	44.99%	479	4.15%
1904	7,027	59.58%	4,417	37.45%	350	2.97%
1900	6,258	53.82%	5,140	44.20%	230	1.98%
1896	6,174	54.15%	4,933	43.27%	294	2.58%
1892	4,129	42.47%	5,254	54.04%	339	3.49%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Phalanx

References

1. "County Facts - Fond du Lac County". www.fdlco.wi.gov. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
2. "County History". Fond du lac County. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
3. "2020 Decennial Census: Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
4. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
6. "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
7. "Dictionary of Wisconsin History". Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2008.
8. Clorissa Swingen (Spring 1988). "Fond du Lac: Links to our Past". Archived from the original on June 7, 2010. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
9. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 128.
10. "Metropolitan Statistical Areas of Wisconsin's 2014 Winter Report on Wisconsin Department of Revenue Division of Research & Policy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022.
11. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
12. "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Archived from the original on May 10, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
15. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
16. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
18. "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
19. Reported Induced Abortions in Wisconsin, Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Section: Trend Information, 2013-2017, Table 18, pages 17-18
20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.

Further reading

• Glaze, A. T. Incidents and Anecdotes of Early Days and History of Business in the City and County of Fond du Lac From Early Times to the Present. Fond du Lac: P. B. Haber, 1905.
• McKenna, Maurice (ed.). Fond du Lac County Wisconsin, Past and Present. Chicago: S. J. Clarke, 1912.

External links

• Fond du Lac County website
• Fond du Lac County map from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation