Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Oshkosh is a city located where the Fox River enters Lake Winnebago in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 62,916.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 63.2 km² (24.4 mi²). 61.2 km² (23.6 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.20% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,028.0/km² (2,662.2/mi²). There are 25,420 housing units at an average density of 415.3 persons/km² (1,075.6 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 92.73% White, 2.19% African American, 0.52% Native American, 3.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.69% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 24,082 households out of which 27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% are married couples living together, 9.1% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 43.3% are non-families. 32.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.31 and the average family size is 2.95.

In the city the population is spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 18.1% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $37,636, and the median income for a family is $48,843. Males have a median income of $33,750 versus $24,154 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,964. 10.2% of the population and 5.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 8.6% are under the age of 18 and 6.9% are 65 or older.

Oshkosh is probably best known as the home of the world's largest airshow, held by the Experimental Aircraft Association, which is particularly dedicated to home-built and -restored aircraft. During the time of the airshow, air traffic at Wittman Regional Airport exceeds that of any other airport in the world.

Particularly strong in business and nursing but correspondingly weak in the arts, the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh comes by its nickname, 'Sloshkosh', honestly. Every night Thursday through Sunday, its students can be found at local taverns overindulging in alcohol. Less apt is the moniker 'UW-Zero'; the school offers dedicated students the advantages of small class sizes and earnest, knowledgeable, attention-starved faculty.