Mercer, Wisconsin

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}

{{Infobox settlement

|official_name = Mercer, Wisconsin

|settlement_type = Town

|nickname =

|motto = Loon Capital of the World

|image_skyline = Mercer Hwy 51.JPG

|imagesize =

|image_caption = Downtown Mercer in the census-designated place (CDP)

|image_map = Iron County Wisconsin incorporated and unincorporated areas Mercer highlighted.svg

|mapsize = 260px

|map_caption = Location in Iron County and the state of Wisconsin.

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}

|subdivision_type1 = State

|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Wisconsin}}

|subdivision_type2 = County

|subdivision_name2 = Iron

|government_footnotes =

|government_type =

|leader_title =

|leader_name =

|leader_title1 =

|leader_name1 =

|established_title =

|established_date =

|unit_pref = Imperial

|area_footnotes =

|area_magnitude =

|area_total_km2 = 478.5

|area_land_km2 = 435.2

|area_water_km2 = 43.3

|area_total_sq_mi = 184.8

|area_land_sq_mi = 168.0

|area_water_sq_mi = 16.7

|population_as_of = 2000

|population_footnotes =

|population_total = 1732

|population_density_km2 = 4.0

|population_density_sq_mi = 10.3

|timezone = Central (CST)

|utc_offset = -6

|timezone_DST = CDT

|utc_offset_DST = -5

|elevation_footnotes = {{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=October 25, 2007}}

|elevation_m = 491

|elevation_ft = 1611

|coordinates = {{coord|46|10|3|N|90|6|15|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}

|postal_code_type =

|postal_code =

|area_code = 715 & 534

|blank_name = FIPS code

|blank_info = 55-51200{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}

|blank1_name = GNIS feature ID

|blank1_info = 1583700

|website =

|footnotes =

}}

Mercer is a town in southern Iron County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,649 at the 2020 census. The census-designated place of Mercer and the unincorporated communities of Carter and Manitowish are located within the town.

Mercer identifies itself as the "Loon Capital of the World" to promote tourism. A wildlife study found Mercer had the highest concentration of common loons in the world. In front of the Mercer Chamber of Commerce's information center, there is a {{convert|16|ft|m|adj=on}}, {{convert|2000|lb|adj=on}} statue named "Claire de Loon". Mercer also hosts an annual "Loon Day" festival, which features an arts and crafts fair, live music and a loon calling contest.{{Cite web|url=http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cced/economies/northernedge/bestpractices/iron3.cfm|title=Former UW-Extension|date=July 8, 2019}}

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 184.8 square miles (478.5 km2), of which 168.0 square miles (435.2 km2) is land and 16.7 square miles (43.3 km2) (9.05%) is water.

Demographics

Image:Turtle-Flambeau Flowage.JPG is a major source of summer tourism]]

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,732 people, 820 households, and 519 families residing in the town. The population density was 10.3 people per square mile (4.0/km2). There were 1,926 housing units at an average density of 11.5 per square mile (4.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.96% White, 0.12% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 820 households, out of which 17.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.63.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 16.7% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,413, and the median income for a family was $39,402. Males had a median income of $29,911 versus $22,042 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,087. About 8.7% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Mercer is served by the Mercer School District, with about 140 K–12 students in a single school.{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Annysa|date=April 3, 2016|title='Fifty Shades of Grey' viewing sparks battle at Northwoods school|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/fifty-shades-of-grey-viewing-sparks-battle-at-northwoods-school-b99693236z1-374422841.html|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel|location=Milwaukee,WI|access-date=April 19, 2016}}

Transportation

US Highway 51 runs through Mercer generally on a north–south trajectory, but through downtown Mercer it runs east-west. State Highway 47 and State Highway 182 also pass through the town.

Tourism

Mercer's main industry is tourism.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} Year-round activities include fishing, hunting, camping, canoeing, kayaking, biking, skiing, bird watching, snowmobiling, and ATV/UTVing. A large portion of the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is located in Mercer, and there are 214 other inland lakes in the surround area.{{Cite web |title=About The Area – Mercer WI |url=http://www.mercerwi.com/about-the-area/,%20http://www.mercerwi.com/about-the-area/ |access-date=July 20, 2022 |language=en-US}}

The Mercer Area Historical Society is housed in the former train station. It contains a small museum of local history. Other buildings include a jail, schoolhouse, barbershop, and a reconstructed caboose.

Each year on the first Wednesday in August the town hosts Loon Day. The town hosts vendors from the area to sell their arts and products. They also have food from local restaurants and live music. The annual event brings a lot of visitors to the town each year.

Notable people

  • Ralph Capone, brother of Al Capone
  • Charles L. Lacy, resort owner and Wisconsin State Representative, lived in the town'Wisconsin Blue Book 1929,' Biographical Sketch of Charles L, Lacy, pg. 552

Images

Image:Mercer Main Street.JPG|Mercer's central district. The tourist store Wampum Shop is on the left, with the Historical Society in the background

Image:Mercer Historical Society.JPG|The Historical Society, housed in the former train depot in the CDP

Image:Rasey cabin.JPG|A typical Northwoods cabin in the Mercer area

Image:Lake of the Falls, Mercer.JPG|The Lake of the Falls park contains a beach and campgrounds

Image:Fisherman's Landing.JPG|Fishermen departing from a public boat access point on the Flowage

References

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