Ripon, Wisconsin
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| Ripon, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ripon |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | Birthplace of the Republican Party |
| Pushpin label | Ripon |
| Coordinates | 43, 50, 44, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Wisconsin |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Fond du Lac |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1849 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1858 |
| Government type | Mayor–Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Ted Grant |
| Area total km2 | 13.20 |
| Area total sq mi | 5.10 |
| Area land km2 | 12.80 |
| Area land sq mi | 4.94 |
| Area water km2 | 0.40 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.15 |
| Elevation m | 283 |
| Elevation ft | 928 |
| Population total | 7863 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | 614.30 |
| Population density sq mi | 1591.30 |
| Timezone | Central (CST) |
| Utc offset | -6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | -5 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 54971 |
| Area code | 920 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 55-68225 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1572311 |
| Website | www.cityofripon.com |
Ripon, Wisconsin. Ripon is a city in Fond du Lac County, celebrated nationally as the "Birthplace of the Republican Party." Founded by Yankee settlers from New England, it developed as a regional center for agriculture and manufacturing. Today, the city is home to Ripon College and maintains a vibrant historic downtown alongside numerous recreational offerings.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Ho-Chunk and Menominee peoples before European American settlement began in the 1840s. The community was founded in 1849 by David P. Mapes, who named it for the English cathedral city of Ripon. A pivotal political meeting was held at the Little White Schoolhouse on March 20, 1854, where opponents of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, including local leader Alvan E. Bovay, formed a new party that adopted the name "Republican." The city grew with the arrival of the Chicago and North Western Railway and became a hub for industries like cheese production and the manufacture of horschair sieves. Notable residents have included suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt, who attended Ripon College, and inventor John R. Commons.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.10 square miles, of which 4.94 square miles is land and 0.15 square miles is water. Ripon lies within the Fox River watershed, with the Silver Creek flowing through the city into nearby Green Lake. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and glacial formations typical of the Eastern Ridges and Lowlands region. The city is situated approximately 20 miles west of Fond du Lac and 75 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 7,863. The racial makeup was 90.3% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, and 4.2% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.1% of the population. The median household income was $61,250, with 7.5% of the population living below the poverty line. A significant portion of the population is affiliated with Ripon College.
Economy
Historically driven by agriculture and manufacturing, Ripon's economy has diversified. Major employers include Ripon College, Ripon Medical Center (part of the Agnesian HealthCare system), and manufacturers like Ripon Printers and Bermico Company. The city is also known for food processing, including the Seneca Foods plant. Downtown Ripon hosts a variety of independent retail shops, restaurants, and professional services. The presence of the college contributes significantly to the local economy through employment and student spending.
Culture and recreation
The city's identity is deeply tied to its political history, centered on the preserved Little White Schoolhouse which is operated as a museum by the Republican Party. Ripon College enriches the cultural landscape with events at the C. J. Rodman Center for the Arts and sporting events. Annual community events include the Ripon Summer Concert Series, the Ripon Holiday Parade, and the Ripon Farmers' Market. Recreational facilities include the Murray Park complex, the Ripon City Pool, and the nearby Green Lake for boating and fishing. The Ripon Public Library serves as a community hub.
Government
Ripon operates under a mayor–council form of government. The Ripon Common Council consists of eight alderpersons elected from four districts. The mayor is elected at-large for a two-year term. The city provides services including police and fire protection through the Ripon Police Department and Ripon Fire Department, public works, and parks maintenance. Ripon is part of Wisconsin's 6th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Glenn Grothman, and in the Wisconsin State Legislature by Joan Ballweg in the Senate and Lori Palmeri in the Assembly.
Category:Cities in Wisconsin Category:Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Category:Populated places established in 1849