VIROQUA, WISCONSIN

:''Viroqua'' is also a genus of jumping spiders.

'Viroqua' is a city in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,335 at the 2000 census. The city is located within the Town of Viroqua.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

Education

Economy and revitalization

Notable natives

External links

Geography

Viroqua is located at (43.556534, -90.887663). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.5 km² (3.3 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,335 people, 1,990 households, and 1,112 families residing in the city. The population density was 511.9/km² (1,327.3/mi²). There were 2,105 housing units at an average density of 248.5/km² (644.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.73% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,990 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.1% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,804, and the median income for a family was $35,475. Males had a median income of $29,589 versus $20,046 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,172. About 9.8% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

★ Western Technical College offers classes in Viroqua.

★ Driftless Folk School

★ Youth Initiative High School

★ Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School

★ Viroqua Elementary School

★ Viroqua Middle School

★ Viroqua High School

★ Laurel High School

★ Better Futures High School

Economy and revitalization

Viroqua was dubbed "The Town That Beat Walmart" by Smithsonian Magazine in 1992 by fostering businesses that co co-exist with the retail giant [1]. The city promoted small business development through several state and federal programs. It is a Wisconsin Main Street City and its downtown is listed on the Wisconsin and National Register of Historic Places.
The Temple Theatre serves as an example of the town's resurgence. The 1.6 million dollar restoration of the 1922 Classical Revival style vaudeville and movie theatre was driven by volunteers. It currently serves as an arts and cultural center for the surrounding counties.

Notable natives

★ Irwin Hendrick Dregne - World War II fighter ace and group commander

★ Mark C. Lee - United States Astronaut

★ Jeremiah McLain Rusk - Governor of Wisconsin, Secretary of Agriculture

★ Butch Vig - Record producer and musician

★ Dr. Richard Tubb - Personal physician to President George W. Bush

★ Joe Powers - Halo World Champion 2005 and Halo 2 World Champion 2006

External links

★ City of Viroqua

★ Viroqua Area Foundation

★ Temple Theatre

★ Wild West Days Festival
20:50, 5 March 2007 (UTC)