Menasha, Wisconsin

Menasha is a city in Calumet and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 16,331 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly in the Town of Menasha in Winnebago County; only a small portion is in the Town of Harrison in Calumet County. Doty Island is located partially in Menasha. The city's name comes from the Winnebago word meaning "thorn" or "island". Menasha is home to the Barlow Planetarium and Weis Earth Science Museum, both housed at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley.

Geography
Menasha is located at 44.21278°N, -88.43611°W (44.212853, -88.436182).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.3 km²), of which, 5.3 square miles (13.6 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.7 km²) of it (21.29%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,331 people, 6,951 households, and 4,233 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,106.9 people per square mile (1,198.8/km²). There were 7,271 housing units at an average density of 1,383.3 per square mile (533.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.80% White, 0.54% African American, 0.61% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.38% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.61% of the population.

There were 6,951 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% 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 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,936, and the median income for a family was $47,401. Males had a median income of $36,705 versus $25,176 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,743. About 5.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government
The city of Menasha has a city council-mayor system of government. There are eight districts in the city, each represented by an aldermen. The council meets weekly with the mayor, Don Merkes.

Education

 * Elementary Schools
 * Clovis Grove Elementary School
 * Gegan Elementary School
 * Nicolet Elementary School
 * Jefferson Elementary School
 * Butte Des Morts Elementary School
 * Trinity Lutheran School
 * Bethel Lutheran School
 * St. Mary Catholic Elementary School
 * Junior High/Middle Schools
 * Maplewood Middle School
 * Seton Catholic Middle School
 * Trinity Lutheran School
 * Bethel Lutheran School
 * High Schools
 * Menasha High School
 * Fox Valley Alternative School
 * Colleges and Universities
 * University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley

Notable residents

 * John A. Bryan, U.S. diplomat
 * Elmer J. Burr, Medal of Honor recipient
 * Connie Clausen, television and Broadway actress, literary agent, and author of "I Love You Honey but The Season's Over", a memoir about Menasha
 * Samuel A. Cook, U.S. Representative
 * Eric Hinske, outfielder for the Atlanta Braves and former American League Rookie of the Year.
 * James C. Kerwin, Wisconsin Supreme Court
 * Dave Koslo, MLB player for the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, and the Milwaukee Braves
 * Jean Kraft, opera singer
 * Frances Liberace née Zuchowska, mother of Liberace
 * Jeff Loomis, heavy metal guitarist
 * Thomas J. O'Malley, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
 * Curtis Reed, mayor of Menasha, businessman
 * Leslie J. Westberg, U.S. Air Force general