Crawford County is a county in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,644. Its county seat is Prairie du Chien.
History
Along with Brown County, Crawford County is one of Wisconsin's original counties, established by the Michigan Territorial legislature in 1818, and named after William H. Crawford, James Monroe's Treasurer at the time. It originally covered the western half of Wisconsin's present area. In 1836, it was transferred to the newly formed Wisconsin Territory as Michigan prepared for statehood and has gradually been subdivided into its present area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (4.8%) is water. The county's highest point is near St. James Church in Rising Sun.
Three rivers run through the county: The Kickapoo River, nicknamed "the crookedest river in Wisconsin" was carved out by glacial run-off. It is considered one of the best Class 1 paddling rivers in the Midwest.
The Wisconsin River borders the county's southern edge. Although it is the state's busiest river, its run within the county is tranquil, with high bluff escarpments and sandy islands.
The Mississippi River, serves as the county's western border. The steep limestone cliffs are interspersed with bluffs and prairies.
Adjacent counties
Vernon County - north
Richland County - east
Grant County - south
Clayton County, Iowa - southwest
Allamakee County, Iowa - west
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 16,644 people, 6,677 households, and 4,613 families residing in the county. The population density was 12/km2 (30/sq mi). There were 8,480 housing units at an average density of 6/km2 (15/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 96.61% White, 1.78% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.6% were of German, 16.0% Norwegian, 11.4% Irish, 7.2% Czech, 7.2% English and 6.4% United States or American ancestry.
There were 6,677 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.25% under the age of 20, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 20 to 44, 31.16% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.30 males.
Transportation
Major highways
20px U.S. Highway 18
20px U.S. Highway 61
20px Highway 27 (Wisconsin)
20px Highway 35 (Wisconsin)
20px Highway 60 (Wisconsin)
20px Highway 82 (Wisconsin)
20px Highway 131 (Wisconsin)
20px Highway 171 (Wisconsin)
20px Highway 179 (Wisconsin)
Airport
Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport (KPDC) serves Crawford County and the surrounding communities.
Communities
Cities
Prairie du Chien (county seat)
Villages
Bell Center
De Soto (Mostly in Vernon County)
Eastman
Ferryville
Gays Mills
Lynxville
Mount Sterling
Soldiers Grove
Steuben
Wauzeka
Towns
Bridgeport
Clayton
Eastman
Freeman
Haney
Marietta
Prairie du Chien
Scott
Seneca
Utica
Wauzeka
Unincorporated communities
Barnum
Boydtown
Bridgeport
Charme
Easter Rock
Fairview
Harmony Hill
Montgomeryville
Mount Zion
North Clayton
Petersburg
Pine Knob
Plugtown
Reed
Rising Sun
Rolling Ground
Seneca
Towerville
White Corners
Yankeetown
Politics
When the county was founded, Crawford County was a Republican stronghold, Having voted for the Republican presidential candidate every year from 1892 to 1908, and having only voted Democrat once from 1892 to 1920. The county leaned Republican for many years, until 1988 when Michael Dukakis won it by a margin of 5.3 percentage points. The county voted for the Democratic presidential candidate every year from 1988 to 2012. In 2016, Donald Trump won Crawford County by 5.4 percentage points. Trump would win it again in 2020 by a larger margin of 7.8 percentage points, marking the first time the county voted for a Republican back to back election cycles since 1984 when Ronald Reagan carried Crawford County.
