Overview

Introduction to Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, in Wood county, is 67 miles W of Oshkosh, Wisconsin (center to center) and 133 miles NW of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Rapids History

The area which is now known as Wisconsin Rapids is the county seat of Wood County. The city was formerly named 'Adahwahgam' which meant 'two-sided rapids.' The Europeans began to settle in the community in the 1830s. The area came to be known as Wisconsin Rapids since 1920. Initially, the Wisconsin River divided the community into two parts. The eastern side was incorporated as Grand Rapids and the western side as Centralia. In 1900, both the cities merged to form Grand Rapids. The name was then changed to Wisconsin Rapids in the year 1920.

Wisconsin Rapids and nearby Attractions

  • Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
  • Buckhorn State Park
  • Museum of Natural History
  • Petenwell County Park
  • New Visions Gallery
  • Mill Bluff State Park

Things To Do In Wisconsin Rapids

While in Wisconsin Rapids, people can visit places like Wisconsin Rapids Skate Park, Glacial Lake Cranberries, and Rapids Municipal Zoo. There are numerous parks in the area such as Robinson Park, Gaynor Park, and Lyon Park, which offer a variety of facilities for recreation. Local churches include Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church, Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and First Church of Christ Scientist. The community celebrates festivals like Cranberry Blossom Festival in the month of June, Balloon Rally and Music Festival in the month of July, and Harvest Fest in the month of September.

Wisconsin Rapids Transportation

Central Wisconsin Airport offers air transportation.

Wisconsin Rapids Higher Education

Mid - State Technical College is located in the city. Other nearby colleges are Madison Area Technical College and University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Demographics

People

Total Population17,842
Male Share of the Population46.7%
Female Share of the Population53.3%
Senior Citizens20.6%
Employed Population 16+7,493
Age of the Population40

Families

% of people married45.1%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher14.2%
Median Earnings25+$31,683
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$20,392
Median Earnings With High School Degree$30,522

Wealth

Median Family Income$51,523
% Above Poverty Level84.5%
% Below Poverty Level15.5%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time21 minutes
% Working from Home4.5%
% Walking and Biking to Work3.9%
% Using Public Transportation%

Housing

People Living Alone40.5%
Median Gross Rent$736
Median House Value$89,100

Ancestry

German40.2%
Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)17.7%
Polish13.9%
Irish10.8%
Norwegian7.4%
English5.8%
French Except Basque4.6%
Italian2.8%
Swedish2.5%
Dutch1.4%
Czech1.3%
Scottish1.2%
Canadian1.1%
Swiss0.9%
Greek0.8%
Danishn0.6%
Welsh0.6%
Romanian0.5%
Russian0.4%
Croatian0.3%
Austrian0.3%
Ukrainian0.3%
Lithuanian0.2%
Belgian0.2%
Hungarian0.1%
Finnish0.1%
+ Show More

Wisconsin Rapids Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyWood County
Standard Zip Codes54495, 54494
Phone Area Codes715
Time ZoneAmerica/Chicago
Approximate Latitude44.39
Approximate Longitude-89.83

Wisconsin Rapids Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

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

StationWISCONSIN RAPIDS
Distance0.9 miles
Jan Temp4 to 23 F
Apr Temp32 to 56 F
Jul Temp59 to 82 F
Oct Temp36 to 58 F
Annual Precip32.4 inches
StationSTEVENS POINT
Distance14.1 miles
Jan Temp3 to 23 F
Apr Temp33 to 54 F
Jul Temp59 to 80 F
Oct Temp36 to 56 F
Annual Precip32.1 inches
StationNECEDAH
Distance27.6 miles
Jan Temp6 to 25 F
Apr Temp34 to 59 F
Jul Temp60 to 84 F
Oct Temp38 to 61 F
Annual Precip32.3 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Biron918$61,053
Nekoosa2,494$56,688
Plover12,686$80,902
Port Edwards1,688$66,979
Rudolph463$65,938
Vesper615$65,833

Wisconsin Rapids Public Libraries

Mcmillan Memorial Library
490 E. GRAND AVE.
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
(715) 422-5136

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Wisconsin Rapids Hospitals

Riverview Hsptl Assoc
(Non-profit)
410 Dewey Street
(715) 423-6060

Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools

East Junior High
311 Lincoln St
ZIP: 54494
(715) 424-6730
Other
Total Enrollment 765
Grant Elementary
8511 County Road Ww
ZIP: 54494
(715) 424-6766
Primary
Total Enrollment 275
Grove Elementary
471 Grove Ave
ZIP: 54494
(715) 424-6769
Primary
Total Enrollment 308
Howe Elementary
221 8th St N
ZIP: 54494
(715) 424-6772
Primary
Total Enrollment 368
Lincoln High
1801 16th St S
ZIP: 54494
(715) 424-6750
High
Total Enrollment 1143
River Cities High
2390 48th St S
ZIP: 54494
(715) 424-6798
High
Total Enrollment 91
Washington Elementary
2911 Washington St
ZIP: 54494
(715) 424-6788
Primary
Total Enrollment 310
Woodside Elementary
611 Two Mile Ave
ZIP: 54494
(715) 424-6793
Primary
Total Enrollment 385
Wrps Four-year-old Kindergarten And Pk Early Childhood
510 Peach St
ZIP: 54494
(715) 424-6721
Primary
Total Enrollment 162
Mead Elementary Charter School
241 17th Ave S
ZIP: 54495
(715) 424-6777
Primary
Total Enrollment 455
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle
1921 27th Ave S
ZIP: 54495
(715) 424-6740
Middle
Total Enrollment 684

Wisconsin Rapids Private Schools

Assumption High School
445 Chestnut St
ZIP: 54494
Secondary
Total Enrollment 154
Assumption Middle School
440 Mead St
ZIP: 54494
Elementary
Total Enrollment 131
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
10611 State Highway 13 S
ZIP: 54494
Elementary
Total Enrollment 15
Immanuel Lutheran School
111 11th St N
ZIP: 54494
Elementary
Total Enrollment 106
St Vincent De Paul School
831 12th St S
ZIP: 54494
Elementary
Total Enrollment 97
Our Lady Queen Of Heaven Elementary School
750 10th Ave S
ZIP: 54495
Elementary
Total Enrollment 108
St Pauls Evangelical Lutheran School
311 14th Ave S
ZIP: 54495
Elementary
Total Enrollment 76
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