Wisconsin boasts abundant natural beauty, rich culture, and a storied history, yet it also grapples with significant challenges, including high taxes, harsh winters, and economic downturns. Some towns in Wisconsin face declining populations as residents seek better prospects elsewhere. Here’s a closer look at five such towns:
Potter
Nestled in Calumet County, Potter is a quaint village with a population of 253 as of 2020. Over the span of three years, its population dwindled by 6.72%, falling to 236 residents. Potter struggles with a notable poverty rate of 18.75%, nearly double the state average. Its primary industries include manufacturing and retail trade, with a median household income of $50,625, considerably lower than the state average. Initially named Muskratville due to its abundant muskrat population, the village reflects its historical ties to fur trapping.
New Holstein
Located in Calumet County, New Holstein is a city with a population of 3,236 in 2020. However, this figure declined by 6.28% from 2020 to 2023, settling at 3,033 residents. Despite boasting a relatively low poverty rate of 5.77%, below the state average, New Holstein confronts economic challenges. Its main industries include manufacturing and healthcare, with a median household income of $58,750, trailing behind the state average. Founded by immigrants from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, the city bears testament to its immigrant heritage.
Chilton
As the county seat of Calumet County, Chilton is a city with a population of 3,840 as of 2020. However, its population decreased by 5.99% from 2020 to 2023, dwindling to 3,610 residents. With a moderate poverty rate of 10.42%, slightly surpassing the state average, Chilton relies on manufacturing and construction industries. The median household income stands at $60,417, lagging $7,000 behind the state average. The city grapples with heavy snowfall, averaging 40 inches annually.
Hilbert
Hilbert, a village in Calumet County, counted 1,089 residents in 2020, but this number dropped by 5.78% to 1,026 by 2023. Boasting a low poverty rate of 4.76%, below the state average, Hilbert’s primary industries include manufacturing and agriculture. Despite its agricultural roots, the median household income of $64,375 falls $3,000 short of the state average. The village is named after Francis Xavier Hilbert, a prominent Catholic priest from the late 1800s.
Stockbridge
Stockbridge, another village in Calumet County, recorded a population of 648 in 2020, which decreased by 5.26% to 614 by 2023. With a low poverty rate of 9.6%, below the state average, Stockbridge relies on manufacturing and construction. However, its median household income of $70,965 surpasses the state average by $3,000. Renowned as “The Sturgeon Capital of the World,” Stockbridge celebrates its abundance of sturgeon fish in Lake Winnebago.
In conclusion, these Wisconsin towns grapple with economic hardships, limited opportunities, and social issues, leading residents to seek better prospects elsewhere. To reverse population decline and foster growth, these communities require revitalization efforts and innovative solutions.