Milton, Wisconsin

{{other uses}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Milton, Wisconsin |settlement_type = [[City]] |nickname = History in Progress |motto =

|subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}} |subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Wisconsin}} |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Wisconsin|County]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Rock County, Wisconsin|Rock County]]  |government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = [[Mayor]] | leader_name = Anissa Welch ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |established_title = |established_date =

|unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_55.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 11.08 |area_land_km2 = 11.03 |area_water_km2 = 0.04 |area_total_sq_mi = 4.28 |area_land_sq_mi = 4.26 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.02

|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]] |population_est = |pop_est_as_of = |population_footnotes = <ref name="QuickFacts">{{cite web |title=Jefferson, Wisconsin |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/jeffersoncitywisconsin |website=census.gov |access-date=26 November 2022}}</ref> |population_total = 5716 |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = 1341.8

|timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]] |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = CDT |utc_offset_DST = -5 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_m = 271 |elevation_ft = 889 |coordinates = {{coord|42|46|40|N|88|57|18|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]] |postal_code = 53563 |area_code = [[Area code 608|608]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 55-52200<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 1569532<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1569532}}</ref> |website = [https://www.milton-wi.gov/ www.milton-wi.gov] |footnotes = |pop_est_footnotes = }}

'''Milton''' is a city in [[Rock County, Wisconsin]], United States. The population was 5,716 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].

==History== [[File:MiltonHouse2010WIS26.jpg|thumb|left|[[Milton House (Milton, Wisconsin)|Milton House]]]]

The city was formed as a result of the 1967 merger of the villages of Milton and Milton Junction. In November of that year, ballots were cast by 1,093 voters from both villages (Milton: 515 to 47 in favor of the merge; Milton Junction: 322 to 201 in favor of the merge), and the referendum to merge the two was approved by 77%.<ref>''Historic Headlines: From the Files of Milton Newspapers Since 1878.'' Milton, WI: The Milton Courier, 1989. Print.</ref>

Originally named '''Prairie du Lac''', Milton was settled in 1838 by [[Joseph Goodrich]], who came from [[Alfred, New York|Alfred]], [[New York (state)|New York]] with his family to the locality for religious and educational reasons. As soon as he moved he organized a [[Seventh Day Baptists|Seventh Day Baptist Church]] in November 1840, and in 1844 a school that would later become a college.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Sanford|first=Don A.|title=A Choosing People: The History of Seventh Day Baptists|publisher=Broadman Press|year=1992|isbn=0-8054-6055-1|location=Nashville|pages=220–284}}</ref> He also built an inn, a [[Milton House (Milton, Wisconsin)|Milton House]], without crossing two trade routes.

The Milton House is today one of the oldest [[concrete|poured grout]] structures in the United States.<ref name="welch">Doug Welch. ''Milton.'' (Images of America) Charleston, S. Car.: Arcadia Publishing, 2016.</ref> A noted [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolitionist]], Goodrich is known to have helped [[fugitive]] [[slaves]] escape to freedom via the [[Underground Railroad]].

It is believed that Milton is named after poet [[John Milton]], author of "[[Paradise Lost]]," after a settler remarked that the town was his "Paradise Regained" after leaving his previous home, which he thought of as a paradise lost.<ref name="welch"/>

==Geography== According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.54|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|3.53|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1880= 508 |1890= 685 |1910= 833 |1920= 834 |1930= 1128 |1940= 1266 |1950= 1549 |1960= 1671 |1970= 3699 |1980= 4092 |1990= 4434 |2000= 5132 |2010= 5546 |2020= 5716 |estyear= |estimate= |estref= |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QuickFacts" /> }} [[File:MiltonWisconsinSignWIS26.jpg|thumb|left|Sign on [[Wisconsin Highway 26|WIS 26]]]]

===2010 census=== As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-18}}</ref> of 2010, there were 5,546 people, 2,231 households, and 1,499 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1571.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,382 housing units at an average density of {{convert|674.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 2,231 households, of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11% 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 2.98.

The median age in the city was 35.8 years. 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64, and 12.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

===2000 census=== As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 5,132 people, 2,034 households, and 1,383 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,587.8 people per square mile (613.5/km2). There were 2,129 housing units at an average density of 658.7 per square mile (254.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.07% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.18% [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.14% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.31% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.49% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were [[Hispanic]] or [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Latino]] of any race.

There were 2,034 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,201, and the median income for a family was $52,384. Males had a median income of $39,392 versus $22,866 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $22,058. About 3.3% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those aged 65 or over.

=== Religion === [[File:The Seventh Day Baptist Church Milton, Wisconsin.jpg|thumb|Milton Seventh Day Baptist Church]] The [[Seventh Day Baptist Church (Milton, Wisconsin)|Seventh Day Baptist Church in Milton]], built in 1934, was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in August 2016.

== Government == Milton has a mayor-council form of government. The mayor is the chief executive, elected for a term of two years. The current mayor is Anissa Welch, first elected in April 2015 and now serving her fourth term.

===Legislative representation=== Following the [[Redistricting in Wisconsin|2022 redistricting]], the city of Milton falls within [[Wisconsin's 33rd Assembly district]] and the [[Wisconsin's 11th State Senate district|11th State Senate district]].

Under the previous district plan, Milton was part of the [[Wisconsin's 43rd Assembly district|43rd Assembly district]] and [[Wisconsin's 15th State Senate district|15th State Senate district]]. Under both the 2011 and 2022 congressional district plans, Milton was part of the [[Wisconsin's 1st congressional district|1st congressional district]].

==Economy== Milton is the site of a $70 million ethanol plant built by [[United Cooperative]].<ref>[http://www.gazetteextra.com/ethanolplant033007.asp "Milton plant starts making ethanol"]. ''Janesville Gazette'', September 6, 2008 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906235523/http://www.gazetteextra.com/ethanolplant033007.asp|date=September 6, 2008}}</ref> A [[Cargill]] animal nutrition plant is located in Milton, with a 170-foot (52 m) [[grain elevator]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.columbiaokura.com/pdf/cargill,_milton.pdf |title=Small Town 'Skyscraper' |access-date=2010-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175645/http://www.columbiaokura.com/pdf/cargill,_milton.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Education== Milton Schools include [[Milton High School (Milton, Wisconsin)|Milton High School]], Milton Middle School, Northside Intermediate School, Milton East Elementary, Milton West Elementary, Consolidated Elementary, Harmony School, and Blackhawk Tech which was MECAS (Milton Edgerton Clinton Alternative School).

The former [[Milton College]] started operating in 1844, being incorporated into the Wisconsin legislature in 1848 as Academy DuLac, offering high school courses concurrently with higher education. The academy progressed to the point of becoming a college in 1867. The college had clear connections with the US's Seventh Day Baptist church, which offered them operational support.<ref name=":0" /> Milton native [[Albert Whitford (astronomer)|Albert Whitford]], a graduate of the college, became a leading astronomer. Another alumnus, [[Dave Krieg]], was an All-Pro quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks.

The city is increasingly tied to [[Janesville, Wisconsin|Janesville]], its larger neighbor to the south, and parts of Janesville are now within the Milton School District as that city expands to the north and east. Students who go to Milton may live in several other districts surrounding Milton, such as Janesville and Harmony district.

==Notable people==  {{div col}} * [[James C. Bartholf]], Wisconsin editor and politician<ref>'Wisconsin Blue Book 1887,' Biographical Sketch of James C. Bartholf, pg. 407</ref> * [[Rush Bullis]], Wisconsin legislator and farmer, born in Milton Junction<ref>'Wisconsin Blue Book 1921,' Biographical Sketch of Rush Bullis, pg. 268</ref> * [[Solomon C. Carr]], Wisconsin farmer and politician, lived in Milton Junction<ref>'Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin 1874,' Biographical Sketch of Solomon Carpenter Carr, pg. 467</ref> * [[Willis Cole]], professional baseball player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=colewi01|title= Willis Cole Stats|publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= January 25, 2014}}</ref> * [[Leo Crowley]], head of the [[Foreign Economic Administration]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Hannan|first=Caryn|title=Wisconsin Biographical Dictionary|year=2008|publisher=North American Book Dist LLC|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V08bjkJeXkAC&q=Leo+Crowley+milton+wi&pg=PA84|isbn=9781878592637}}</ref> * [[Ludwig Kumlien]], ornithologist<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=H.J. |title=Ludwig Kumlien |journal=The Wilson Bulletin |date=June 1936 |issue=XLVII |pages=85–90 |url=https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/wilson/v049n02/p0085-p0090.pdf |access-date=30 June 2021}}</ref> * [[John T. Manske]], Wisconsin State Representative<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2047&term_type_id=1&term_type_text=people&letter=M|title= Term: Manske, John T. 1952|publisher= Wisconsin Historical Society|access-date= January 25, 2014|archive-date= October 16, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181016165020/https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_,id=2047&term_type_id=1&term_type_text=people&letter=M|url-status= dead}}</ref> * [[Mark Neumann]], U.S. Representative * [[Alexander Paul]], Wisconsin legislator and politician, born in Milton Junction<ref>'Wisconsin Blue Book 1933, Biographical Sketch of Alexander Paul, pg. 220</ref> * [[Merritt Clarke Ring]], lawyer and politician<ref>{{cite book|last=Industrial Commission|title=The State of Wisconsin Blue Book|year=1885|publisher=Industrial Commission|url=https://archive.org/details/bluebookstatewi10buregoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/bluebookstatewi10buregoog/page/n491 421]|quote=Merritt Clarke Ring milton wi.}}</ref> * [[David Rubitsky]], World War II veteran<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-16-mn-274-story.html|title= Jewish WW II Veteran Loses Battle for Medal of Honor|newspaper= Los Angeles Times |access-date= January 25, 2014|date= 1989-12-16|last1= International|first1= United Press}}</ref> * [[Mike Saunders (Canadian football)|Mike Saunders]], professional football player<ref>{{cite web|url= http://hawkcentral.com/2011/11/12/catching-up-with-mike-saunders/|title= Catching Up With … Mike Saunders|publisher= Hawk Central|access-date= January 25, 2014|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140201174502/http://hawkcentral.com/2011/11/12/catching-up-with-mike-saunders/|archive-date= February 1, 2014}}</ref> * [[Bill Shadel]], CBS radio and TV news anchor * [[Don Vruwink]], Wisconsin educator and politician * [[Albert Whitford (astronomer)|Albert Whitford]], astronomer, for whom the asteroid [[2301 Whitford]] is named<ref>{{cite web|url= http://aas.org/about/grants-and-prizes/henry-norris-russell-lectureship|title= Henry Norris Russell Lectureship|publisher= American Astronomical Society|access-date= January 25, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140328011328/http://aas.org/about/grants-and-prizes/henry-norris-russell-lectureship|archive-date= March 28, 2014|url-status= dead}}</ref> * [[William Clarke Whitford]], educator<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=1618&search_term=whitford|title= Term: Whitford, William Clarke 1828 - 1902|publisher= Wisconsin Historical Society |access-date= January 25, 2014}}</ref> {{div col end}}

==References== {{reflist|2}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Milton, Wisconsin}} * [https://www.milton-wi.gov/ City of Milton] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907162336/http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/ |date=September 7, 2013 }} * Sanborn fire insurance maps: [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/8026 1894] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/8031 1900] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/8036 1909] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/8041 1917]

[[Category:Cities in Wisconsin]] [[Category:Cities in Rock County, Wisconsin]] [[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1838]] [[Category:1838 establishments in Wisconsin Territory]]