Whitewater, Wisconsin

Whitewater is a city in Jefferson and Walworth counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located near the southern portion of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Whitewater is the home of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 14,390. Of this, 11,150 were in Walworth County, and 3,240 were in Jefferson County.

History
Whitewater was founded at the confluence of Whitewater Creek and Spring Brook, and named for the white sand in their beds. A gristmill was built on Whitewater creek, the resulting pond now called Lake Cravath. The town grew quickly when the first railroad line in Wisconsin passed through in 1853, but struggled when the two largest employers left town.

Geography
Whitewater is located at 42.835°N, -88.73611°W (42.834950, -88.736119).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.06 sqmi, of which, 8.76 sqmi is land and 0.30 sqmi is water. Most of the city lies in Walworth County.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 14,390 people, 4,766 households, and 1,781 families residing in the city. The population density was 1642.7 PD/sqmi. There were 5,113 housing units at an average density of 583.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 88.0% White, 3.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.5% of the population.

There were 4,766 households of which 18.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.2% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 62.6% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 21.9 years. 11.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 53.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.7% were from 25 to 44; 11.8% were from 45 to 64; and 8.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,437 people, 4,132 households, and 1,685 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,923.5 people per square mile (742.2/km²). There were 4,340 housing units at an average density of 621.3 per square mile (239.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.25% White, 2.34% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.48% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.50% of the population.

There were 4,132 households out of which 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.5% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 59.2% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 12.5% under the age of 18, 53.2% from 18 to 24, 15.7% from 25 to 44, 9.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,600, and the median income for a family was $48,185. Males had a median income of $33,078 versus $22,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,965. About 10.6% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over. (Note: information in this paragraph is still from the 2000 census.)

Local government
Whitewater has a council-manager form of government. The city nanager is Cameron Clapper. The municipal judge is Richard Kelly. Whitewater's Common Council is made up of one member from each of the five districts in the city and two members-at-large. The Common Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at City Hall, with its meetings being broadcast live on Whitewater Public Television.

Culture
Annual events in Whitewater include "Freeze Fest" in January, the Bridal Fair, Farm Toy Show in February, Maxwell Street Day and the 4th of July Celebration in July. Adding to these annual events are the Minneiska Water Ski Shows Saturday evenings on Whitewater Lake. Departing from the Highway 12 crossing of the Ice Age Trail, group biking tours depart several times a week from the area. September through April, Young Auditorium at the university features world-class entertainment.

Religion
Whitewater has several places of worship:
 * Anchor Bible Church
 * Community of St. Patrick Catholic Church
 * Congregational United Church of Christ
 * First English Lutheran Church
 * First United Methodist Church
 * Kettle Moraine Baptist Church
 * Living Word Fellowship
 * St. Luke's Episcopal Church
 * Whitewater Bible Church
 * Whitewater Islamic center

Education
Whitewater is served by the Whitewater Unified School District (WWUSD), which has five schools in the city:
 * Lakeview Elementary School
 * Washington Elementary School
 * Whitewater Middle School (WMS)
 * Whitewater High School (WHS)
 * LINCS Charter School

Kettle Moraine Baptist Academy, which serves students in grades kindergarten through 12, is also located in the city.

The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater is in Whitewater.

Recreation
Starin Park is located in Whitewater.

Notable people

 * Stephen Ambrose, author, historian
 * Zadoc P. Beach, Wisconsin politician
 * John Belushi, comedian, actor (attended UW–Whitewater)
 * Tom Bigelow, auto racer
 * Marvin H. Bovee, Wisconsin politician
 * Charles Coleman, Wisconsin politician
 * Edward S. Curtis, photographer, director, actor, cinematographer
 * Tom Hulce, actor
 * Jeff Jagodzinski, NFL assistant coach, former head coach of the Boston College Eagles
 * Dale Markham, NFL player
 * Benjamin McCready, painter
 * Stephen Nass, Wisconsin politician
 * Leon Pescheret, painter, architect
 * Morris Pratt, spiritualist, founder of 1902 Pratt Institute in Whitewater
 * Elaine Roe, U.S. Army officer, one of the first four women to be awarded the Silver Star
 * Edward J. Roethe, Wisconsin legislator
 * Henry Edgar Roethe, Wisconsin legislator
 * Eric Studesville, NFL assistant coach
 * Eleazer Wakeley, Justice of the Nebraska Territory Supreme Court
 * Bob Wickman, major league pitcher (attended UW–Whitewater)
 * Samuel A. White, Wisconsin politician