Neenah is within the geographic boundaries of the Town of Neenah, but is politically independent. The city is the southwesternmost of the Fox Cities of northeast Wisconsin. It is a principal city of the Oshkosh–Neenah metropolitan statistical area, which consists of all of Winnebago County and had 171,730 residents in 2020. It is sometimes referred to as a twin city with Menasha, with which it shares Doty Island.
Neenah was named by Governor James Duane Doty from the Hoocąk word for "water" or "running water".[4] It was the site of a Ho-Chunk village in the late 18th century. It is Nįįňą in the Hoocąk language.[5]
The government initially designated this area in 1835 as an industrial and agricultural mission to the Menominee Indians of the area. Early settlement by European Americans began a few years later, stimulated in large part by the proximity of the area to the Fox River.[6]
Kimberly-Clark corporation was formed here in 1872.[7] It founded a major paper mill here in 1873, as the region had become a center of lumbering.[8] Profits from lumber stimulated the development of businesses and a variety of professions. Some people relocated to Neenah after the disastrous fire in Oshkosh in 1875.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.74 square miles (25.23 km2), of which, 9.37 square miles (24.27 km2) is land and 0.37 square miles (0.96 km2) is water.[10]
As of the census of 2020,[12] the population was 27,319. The population density was 2,915 inhabitants per square mile (1,125/km2). There were 12,164 housing units at an average density of 1,298 per square mile (501/km2). Ethnically, the population was 4.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race. When grouping both Hispanic and non-Hispanic people together by race, the city was 88.0% White, 2.3% Asian, 1.8% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 5.8% from two or more races.
According to the American Community Survey estimates for 2016–2020, the median income for a household in the city was $59,778, and the median income for a family was $77,229. Male full-time workers had a median income of $52,352 versus $40,085 for female workers. The per capita income for the city was $33,420. About 8.6% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.[13] Of the population age 25 and over, 94.9% were high school graduates or higher and 32.1% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[14]
2010 census
As of the census[15] of 2010, there were 25,501 people, 10,694 households, and 6,700 families living in the city. The population density was 2,762.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,066.7/km2). There were 11,313 housing units at an average density of 1,225.7 units per square mile (473.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.7% White, 1.3% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.
There were 10,694 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.3% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the city was 37.1 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 27% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 24,507 people, 9,834 households and 6,578 families living in the city. The population density was 2,971.7 people per square mile (1,147.4 people/km2). There were 10,198 housing units at an average density of 1,236.6 units per square mile (477.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.08% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. 2.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Thirty-five percent of the households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,773, and the median income for a family was $55,329. Males had a median income of $39,140 versus $25,666 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,280. About 3.3% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
Neenah hosts significant paper and steel industries. Some paper companies include Essity and Kimberly-Clark. Kimberly-Clark was founded in Neenah and maintains significant operations there, though its headquarters moved to Irving, Texas in the 1980s. Manhole covers manufactured at Neenah Foundry can be found throughout the central and southern United States and parts of Europe.
Neenah is the headquarters of Plexus, a developer and manufacturer of electronic products, which also has engineering and manufacturing operations in the city. Also headquartered here are Cobblestone Hotel Group, J. J. Keller & Associates, Miron Construction, Menasha Corporation. Theda Clark Hospital, NM Transfer, and Checker Logistics.
Arts and culture
Bergstrom-Mahler Museum
Founded in 1959, Neenah's Bergstrom-Mahler Museum has a collection of glass art comprising over 3,000 pieces. It concentrates in historic paperweights and Germanic glasswork.[17]
Transportation
Interstate 41 runs south to north through the center of the city. Bus service is operated by Valley Transit.
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