Wausau, Wisconsin
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| Wausau, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Wausau, Wisconsin |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | "Gateway to the Northwoods" |
| Pushpin label | Wausau |
| Coordinates | 44, 57, N, 89... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Wisconsin |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Marathon |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1839 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1872 (city) |
| Government type | Mayor–council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Katie Rosenberg |
| Area total km2 | 52.55 |
| Area total sq mi | 20.29 |
| Area land km2 | 50.30 |
| Area land sq mi | 19.42 |
| Area water km2 | 2.25 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.87 |
| Elevation m | 368 |
| Elevation ft | 1207 |
| Population total | 39,994 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | 795.0 |
| Population density sq mi | 2059.2 |
| Timezone | CST |
| Utc offset | -6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | -5 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 54401-54403 |
| Area code | 715 & 534 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 55-84475 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1576328 |
| Website | https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/ |
Wausau, Wisconsin is the county seat of Marathon County and the principal city of the Wausau Metropolitan Statistical Area. Situated on the Wisconsin River, it serves as a commercial and cultural hub for central Wisconsin. The city's development was historically driven by the lumber industry and later diversified into insurance and manufacturing.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and other Algonquian peoples. European-American settlement began in 1839, led by George Stevens, who established a sawmill. The community was initially known as "Big Bull Falls" due to the river's rapids. Incorporated as a city in 1872, it was renamed Wausau, derived from an Ojibwe word meaning "a faraway place." The arrival of the Wisconsin Central Railroad in 1874 spurred rapid growth, transforming it into a major center for the Wisconsin pineries. In the early 20th century, the city attracted a significant wave of immigrants, including Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War, contributing to its diverse cultural fabric. Notable historical figures include Cyrus C. Yawkey, a lumber magnate and philanthropist, and John J. Louis Jr., founder of the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.29 square miles, with the Wisconsin River flowing through its center. The landscape is marked by glacial features, including the prominent Rib Mountain, one of the oldest geological formations on Earth. The city lies within the Northern Highland geographical province and is surrounded by the Wisconsin Northwoods. Major parks include Oak Island Park and Marathon Park, the latter hosting the Wisconsin Valley Fair. The climate is classified as humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers, influenced by its proximity to Lake Superior.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 39,994. The racial makeup is predominantly Non-Hispanic White, with growing Asian American and Hispanic or Latino communities. A significant portion of the Asian population is of Hmong descent, with Wausau being a major center for Hmong culture in the Midwestern United States. The Wausau Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of over 138,000. Educational attainment levels are near the state average, with a large percentage of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Economy
Historically dominated by the lumber industry, the modern economy is diversified. Wausau is a national center for the insurance industry, home to the headquarters of Church Mutual Insurance Company, Wausau Insurance, and Nationwide's regional operations. Major employers include Aspirus Health, a regional hospital system, and Greenheck, a leading manufacturer of air movement and control equipment. Other significant sectors include paper products manufacturing, with Wausau Paper historically playing a key role, and finance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average listed company, Johnson Controls, has a notable presence in the area.
Culture and recreation
The city is known for the Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau and hosts annual events like the Wausau Festival of Arts and the Birds in Art exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Performing arts are centered at the Grand Theater, home to the Wausau Symphony Orchestra. Outdoor recreation is a major draw, with Rib Mountain State Park offering skiing, hiking, and panoramic views. The Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area provides extensive trails for cross-country skiing and mountain biking. The Wausau Woodchucks, a collegiate summer baseball team in the Northwoods League, play at Athletic Park.
Government
Wausau operates under a mayor–council government system. The mayor, Katie Rosenberg, and a ten-member Common Council are elected to four-year terms. The city provides full municipal services, including police and fire protection, through the Wausau Police Department and Wausau Fire Department. It is part of Wisconsin's 7th congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Tom Tiffany. At the state level, it lies within the 29th Senate District and the 85th Assembly District. Key local government facilities include the Marathon County Courthouse and the Wausau City Hall.