Peshtigo, Wisconsin

Peshtigo took its name from the nearby Peshtigo River.[4] The etymology of Peshtigo is uncertain.[5] Explanations include an Ojibwe word meaning 'river of the wild goose',[6][7] a Menominee word for 'snapping turtle',[8][9] a word meaning 'passing through a marsh',[10] or a reference to a local Menominee band known as Pesh-tiko.[5]

On October 8, 1871, a forest fire driven by strong winds totally consumed Peshtigo and a dozen other villages, killing between 1,200 and 2,500 people and engulfing approximately 1.5 million acres (6,000 km²). This fire, known as the Peshtigo fire, was the deadliest in American history.[11] Unidentifiable remains of hundreds of residents were buried in a mass grave at the Peshtigo Fire Cemetery. The Peshtigo Fire Museum features several items that survived the fire, plus other artifacts from the area's history.[12]

This fire happened on the same day as the Great Chicago fire, the Holland, Michigan fire, the Port Huron Fire of 1871, and the Great Michigan Fire in Manistee, Michigan.

At the 2010 census there were 3,502 people, 1,469 households, and 888 families living in the city. The population density was 1,155.8 inhabitants per square mile (446.3/km²). There were 1,621 housing units at an average density of 535.0 per square mile (206.6/km²). The racial makup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.1% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2%.[2]

Of the 1,469 households 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.6% were non-families. 35.4% of households were one person and 14.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age was 43.2 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 22.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.

At the 2000 census there were 3,357 people, 1,315 households, and 879 families living in the city. The population density was 1,101.8 people per square mile (425.0/km²). There were 1,416 housing units at an average density of 464.8 per square mile (179.3/km²). The racial makup of the city was 98.00% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[16] Of the 1,315 households 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.7% of households were one person and 15.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.92.

The age distribution was 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median household income was $34,898 and the median family income was $41,900. Males had a median income of $31,815 versus $21,531 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,379. About 5.6% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.