Overview

Introduction to Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire County and situated in the west-central portion of Wisconsin. The name Eau Claire comes from the original French name "Eaux Claires" which translates to "Clear Waters" which was the description of the Eau Claire River by French pioneers. The city is about 90 miles away from Minneapolis and St. Paul. The terrain features steep slopes located in the eastern as well as the southern portion of Eau Claire.

History

Eau Claire was established close to the convergence of the Eau Claire River and the Chippewa River as three settlements. In 1872 the city was incorporated. The main portion of downtown Eau Claire is situated on the site of the old village of Eau Claire. The city was a thriving lumber town during the 1800's and the lumber business was the primary factor for the growth of the city. After the timber was depleted, Eau Claire became known for agriculture and industry.

Transportation

Air flights are available at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. Eau Claire is served by the Eau Claire Transit bus lines.

Recreation

The city is home to several spacious parks including Putnam Park. Riverview Park is a popular swimming location. The trails which follow the Chippewa River and the Eau Claire River provide excellent views and hiking and bicycle riding opportunities. Eau Claire also has a collection of golf courses. In the summertime Eau Claire provides popular rock as well as country music festivals. During the winter outdoor enthusiasts are provided with groomed cross-country skiing trails.

Historical Sites

Eau Claire is home to Carson Park which includes:

  • Chippewa Valley Museum
  • Paul Bunyan Logging Camp
  • The Hank Aaron Memorial
  • Chippewa Valley Railroad
  • Anderson Log House
  • Sunnyview One-Room School
  • Historic Schlegelmilch House

Higher Education

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a prominent college in the midwest. The university is comprised of the College of Business, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Human Sciences.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire provides the residents and tourists with music and dance events along with theatrical productions. The university also makes available to the public,the James Newman Clark Bird Museum, the Fanny Hill Dinner Theatre, Chippewa Valley Symphony, The Phillips Science Hall Greenhouse and L.E. Phillips Planetarium.

Demographics

People

Total Population68,086
Male Share of the Population48.7%
Female Share of the Population51.3%
Senior Citizens13.4%
Employed Population 16+37,711
Age of the Population31

Families

% of people married39.5%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher30.5%
Median Earnings25+$37,370
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$21,375
Median Earnings With High School Degree$28,842

Wealth

Median Family Income$73,313
% Above Poverty Level82.8%
% Below Poverty Level17.2%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time17 minutes
% Working from Home5.5%
% Walking and Biking to Work5.4%
% Using Public Transportation1%

Housing

People Living Alone35.1%
Median Gross Rent$815
Median House Value$146,200

Ancestry

Norwegian18.7%
Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)12.9%
Irish11%
Polish6%
English5.3%
French Except Basque3.4%
Swedish3.2%
Italian2.8%
Czech1.5%
Canadian1.4%
Dutch1.4%
Scottish1.2%
Swiss0.9%
Austrian0.7%
Danishn0.7%
Russian0.5%
Finnish0.5%
Belgian0.4%
Welsh0.4%
Greek0.3%
Hungarian0.2%
African0.2%
Nigerian0.1%
Ukrainian0.1%
West Indian0.1%
Slovene0.1%
Arab0.1%
Serbian0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
Latvian0.1%
Croatian0.1%
Portuguese0.1%
German0.1%
Icelander0.1%
Slovak0.1%
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Eau Claire Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyEau Claire County
Standard Zip Codes54701, 54703
P.O. Box Zip Codes54702
Phone Area Codes715, 34
Time ZoneAmerica/Chicago
Approximate Latitude44.75
Approximate Longitude-91.51

Eau Claire Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationEAU CLAIRE RGNL AP
Distance3.9 miles
Jan Temp3 to 21 F
Apr Temp33 to 57 F
Jul Temp60 to 83 F
Oct Temp37 to 58 F
Annual Precip32.1 inches
StationMONDOVI
Distance19.2 miles
Jan Temp4 to 24 F
Apr Temp35 to 60 F
Jul Temp61 to 84 F
Oct Temp38 to 61 F
Annual Precip33.5 inches
StationMENOMONIE
Distance21.9 miles
Jan Temp4 to 24 F
Apr Temp34 to 58 F
Jul Temp60 to 82 F
Oct Temp38 to 60 F
Annual Precip30.5 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Altoona7,499$71,544
Chippewa Falls14,017$59,462
Colfax1,106$59,286
Eleva774$61,875
Elk Mound1,085$69,464
Fall Creek1,475$62,228

Eau Claire Public Libraries

L.e. Phillips Memorial Public Library
400 EAU CLAIRE ST.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
(715) 839-5001

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Eau Claire Hospitals

Mayo Clinic Health System Eau Claire Hospital
(Non-profit)
1221 Whipple St
(715) 838-3311
Sacred Heart Hsptl
(Non-profit)
900 W Clairemont Ave
(715) 717-4131

Eau Claire Public Schools

Flynn Elementary
1430 Lee St
ZIP: 54701
(715) 852-3300
Primary
Total Enrollment 297
Main Street School
500 Main St
ZIP: 54701
(715) 852-3000
Primary
Total Enrollment 110
Manz Elementary
1000 E Fillmore Ave
ZIP: 54701
(715) 852-3900
Primary
Total Enrollment 398
Meadowview Elementary
4714 Fairfax St
ZIP: 54701
(715) 852-4000
Primary
Total Enrollment 411
Memorial High
2225 Keith St
ZIP: 54701
(715) 852-6300
High
Total Enrollment 1739
Oxford Avenue School
728 Oxford Ave
ZIP: 54701
(715) 852-6901
High
Putnam Heights Elementary
633 W Macarthur Ave
ZIP: 54701
(715) 852-4200
Primary
Total Enrollment 369
Robbins Elementary
3832 E Hamilton Ave
ZIP: 54701
(715) 852-4600
Primary
Total Enrollment 515
South Middle
2115 Mitscher Ave
ZIP: 54701
(715) 852-5200
Middle
Total Enrollment 802
Chippewa Valley Montessori Charter School
400 Cameron St
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-6950
Primary
Total Enrollment 290
Davey Elementary
3000 Starr Ave
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-3200
Primary
Total Enrollment 377
Delong Middle School
2000 Vine St
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-4900
Middle
Total Enrollment 897
Lakeshore Elementary
711 Lake St
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-3400
Primary
Total Enrollment 435
Locust Lane Elementary
3245 Locust Ln
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-3700
Primary
Total Enrollment 282
Longfellow Elementary
512 Balcom St
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-3800
Primary
Total Enrollment 293
Mckinley Charter School
1266 Mckinley Rd
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-6900
Other
Total Enrollment 114
North High
1801 Piedmont Rd
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-6600
High
Total Enrollment 1336
Northstar Middle
2711 Abbe Hill Dr
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-5100
Middle
Total Enrollment 570
Northwoods Elementary
3600 Northwoods Ln
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-4100
Primary
Total Enrollment 395
Prairie Ridge Early Learning School
3031 Epiphany Ln
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-3600
Primary
Total Enrollment 730
Roosevelt Elementary
3010 8th St
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-4700
Primary
Total Enrollment 302
Second Avenue School
721 Oxford Ave
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-6901
Other
Total Enrollment 15
Sherman Elementary
3110 W Vine St
ZIP: 54703
(715) 852-4800
Primary
Total Enrollment 474

Eau Claire Private Schools

Immaculate Conception Elementary School
1703 Sherwin Ave
ZIP: 54701
Elementary
Total Enrollment 192
Immanuel Lutheran High School
501 Grover Rd
ZIP: 54701
Secondary
Total Enrollment 120
Regis High School
2100 Fenwick Ave
ZIP: 54701
Secondary
Total Enrollment 235
Regis Middle School
2100 Fenwick Ave
ZIP: 54701
Elementary
Total Enrollment 192
St Mark Lutheran School
3307 State St
ZIP: 54701
Elementary
Total Enrollment 121
Bethel Christian School
2361 N Hastings Way
ZIP: 54703
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 22
Crestview Academy
1519 Peterson Ave
ZIP: 54703
Elementary
Total Enrollment 198
Eau Claire Academy
550 N Dewey St
ZIP: 54703
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 94
Liberty Christian School
8009 Olson Dr
ZIP: 54703
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 9
Messiah Lutheran School
2015 N Hastings Way
ZIP: 54703
Elementary
Total Enrollment 112
St James The Greater School
2502 11th St Ste 2
ZIP: 54703
Elementary
Total Enrollment 76
Sources :
Additional Details
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Historic Eau Claire

photo

Eau Claire (general view of city) between 1880 and 1899

Select a photo to view (Source):

Eau Claire (general view of city) between 1880 and 1899

Eau Claire from the railroad bridge. between 1880 and 1899

Eau Claire (railroad bridge and mills) between 1880 and 1899

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