Algoma is a city located in Kewaunee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 3,357. Originally known as Ahnapee, the city was renamed Algoma in September 1897.
Algoma is located at 44°36'30" North, 87°26'32" West (44.608226, -87.442342), along Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Ahnapee River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.4 km2 (2.5 mi2). 6.3 km2 (2.4 mi2) of it is land and 0.1 km2 (0.04 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 1.61% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 3,357 people, 1,493 households, and 900 families residing in the city. The population density is 531.2/km2 (1,374.9/mi2). There are 1,632 housing units at an average density of 258.2/km2 (668.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 98.42% White, 0.09% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,493 households out of which 24.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% are married couples living together, 7.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% are non-families. 35.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 19.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.19 and the average family size is 2.85.
In the city the population is spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,029, and the median income for a family is $46,552. Males have a median income of $30,349 versus $22,650 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,043. 5.2% of the population and 3.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.1% of those under the age of 18 and 6.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Algoma was discovered in 1834 by Joseph McCormick of Manitowoc. In 1851, Irish and English pioneers created the first settlement called Wolf River. This was a loose translation from the Indian word An-Ne-Pe meaning "land of the great gray wolf" a legendary animal in stories told by the local Potawatomi Indians. This historically linked animal eventually became the mascot of the Algoma School District.
In the mid 1800s, immigrants from Germany, Bohemia, Scandinavian countries, and Belgium settled in this lakeside community. The earliest businesses consisted of a sawmill, general store, and churches.
In 1871, the city survived a fire that swept from Green Bay and destroyed thousands of acres of land. Local residents were prepared for the worst waiting with their boats and valuables at hand for a quick escape from the approaching flames. Luckily, torrential rains drowned out the fire right before it reached Ahnapee.
In 1879, the city was formally renamed Algoma which is also an Indian name. Algoma means "park of flowers". At that time the commercial fishing fleet located in Algoma was the largest on Lake Michigan and commercial fishing is still a major tourist attraction today.
Source:
AlgomaWisconsin.com
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