Crawford County, Wisconsin Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Crawford County
U.S. county
Crawford County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
Founded	1818
Named for	William H. Crawford
Seat	Prairie du Chien
Largest city	Prairie du Chien
Area
• Total	599 sq mi (1,550 km²)
• Land	571 sq mi (1,480 km²)
• Water	29 sq mi (80 km²) 4.8%
Population (2020)
• Total	16,113
• Estimate (2023)	15,944
• Density	28.2/sq mi (10.9/km²)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	3rd

Crawford County is a county in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,113. Its county seat is Prairie du Chien.

History
Geography
- Adjacent counties
Demographics
Transportation
Communities
See also

History

Along with Brown County, Crawford County is one of Wisconsin's original counties, established by the Michigan Territorial legislature in 1818, and named after William H. Crawford, James Monroe's Treasurer at the time. It originally covered the western half of Wisconsin's present area. In 1836, it was transferred to the newly formed Wisconsin Territory as Michigan prepared for statehood and has gradually been subdivided into its present area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 599 square miles (1,550 km²), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km²) is land and 29 square miles (75 km²) (4.8%) is water. The county's highest point is near St. James Church in Rising Sun.

Three rivers run through the county: The Kickapoo River, nicknamed "the crookedest river in Wisconsin" was carved out by glacial run-off. It is considered one of the best Class 1 paddling rivers in the Midwest.

The Wisconsin River borders the county's southern edge. Although it is the state's busiest river, its run within the county is tranquil, with high bluff escarpments and sandy islands.
The Mississippi River, serves as the county's western border. The steep limestone cliffs are interspersed with bluffs and prairies.

Adjacent counties

Vernon County - north
Richland County - east
Grant County - south
Clayton County, Iowa - southwest
Allamakee County, Iowa - west

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1840	1,502	—
1850	2,498	66.3%
1860	8,068	223.0%
1870	13,075	62.1%
1880	15,644	19.6%
1890	15,987	2.2%
1900	17,286	8.1%
1910	16,288	−5.8%
1920	16,772	3.0%
1930	16,781	0.1%
1940	18,328	9.2%
1950	17,652	−3.7%
1960	16,351	−7.4%
1970	15,252	−6.7%
1980	16,556	8.5%
1990	15,940	−3.7%
2000	17,243	8.2%
2010	16,644	−3.5%
2020	16,113	−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, the population was 16,113. The population density was 28.2 people per square mile (10.9 people/km²). There were 8,658 housing units at an average density of 15.2 units per square mile (5.9 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2020 American Community Survey Estimates

According to the most recent American Community Survey estimates available in 2020, the five largest ancestries, whether partially claimed or claimed in full, were: 36.37% were of German; 19.15% Irish; 13.87% Norwegian; 7.57% English; and 4.77% Czech or Czechoslovakian.

There were 6,676 households, out of which 20.78% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.30% were married couples living together, 23.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.99% were non-families. 17.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.93. Of all households in the county, 74.4% of households were owner-occupied, and 25.6% were renter-occupied households.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 20, 15.86% from 20 to 34, 10.54% from 35 to 44, 28.38% from 45 to 64, and 23.38% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 108 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.9 males. In total, 52% of the population was male, and 48% of the population was female.

2010 Census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Crawford County

As of the census of 2010, there were 16,644 people, 6,677 households, and 4,613 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km²). There were 8,480 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.61% White, 1.78% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.6% were of German, 16.0% Norwegian, 11.4% Irish, 7.2% Czech, 7.2% English and 6.4% United States or American ancestry.

There were 6,677 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.25% under the age of 20, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 20 to 44, 31.16% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.30 males.