# Muscoda, Wisconsin

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Village in Wisconsin, United States

Muscoda, Wisconsin Village Wis-80 crosses the Wisconsin River in to Muscoda Location of Muscoda in Grant County, Wisconsin. Coordinates: 43°10′29″N 90°28′20″W / 43.17472°N 90.47222°W / 43.17472; -90.47222 Country United States State Wisconsin Counties Grant, Iowa Area [1] • Total 1.55 sq mi (4.02 km2) • Land 1.55 sq mi (4.02 km2) • Water 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) Elevation [2] 725 ft (221 m) Population (2020)[3] • Total 1,307 • Density 842/sq mi (325/km2) Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST)) • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT) Area code 608 FIPS code 55-55225[4] GNIS feature ID 1583773[2] Website www.muscoda.com

**Muscoda** is a village in [Grant](/source/Grant_County%2C_Wisconsin) and [Iowa](/source/Iowa_County%2C_Wisconsin) counties in the [U.S. state](/source/U.S._state) of [Wisconsin](/source/Wisconsin). The population was 1,307 at the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census). Of this, 1,245 were in Grant County,[5] and 62 were in Iowa County.[6] The Grant County part of the village is adjacent to the [Town of Muscoda](/source/Muscoda_(town)%2C_Wisconsin) and the Iowa County part is adjacent to the [Town of Pulaski](/source/Pulaski%2C_Iowa_County%2C_Wisconsin).

## History and culture

Explorer and historian William Pidgeon, who visited the area in 1840, reported that Muscoda was "the ancient location of a large Indian village, but at present occupied by a few white families. This village is situated on an extensive plain of sandy soil, on the surface of which may be seen relics of many an ancient mound, varying much in size and form; some resembling redoubts, or fortifications, others presenting the forms of gigantic men, beasts, birds, and reptiles, among which may be found the eagle, the otter, the serpent, the alligator, and others pertaining to the deer, elk, and buffalo species. The highland in the vicinity of this village abounds with monuments that bear testimony to the ancient existence of an immense population in those regions."[7]

Muscoda became known as English Prairie, named for two English fur traders, Abraham Lansing and Garrit Roseboom, who opened a post at the close of the [French and Indian War](/source/French_and_Indian_War). Lansing and his son were murdered in 1763 by their French assistants and the fame of the murder kept the name English Prairie alive until 1840.[8]

The word Muscoda (pronounced "MUS-co-day") may be a corruption of the Ojibwa (Chippewa) word *mashkode*, meaning "prairie".[9] It may also have been taken from Longfellow's *Hiawatha*, in which it is mentioned several times. The word's popular meaning was "Prairie of Flowers".[10]

Muscoda has billed itself as the "Wisconsin's Morel Capital" since 1982 and hosts the "[Morel](/source/Morel) Mushroom Festival" every year on the weekend following Mother's Day.[11] The event includes carnival rides, tractors pulls, tournaments, merchant stands, food booths, and portable tattoo parlors.

## Geography

Muscoda is located at [43°11′18″N 90°26′26″W / 43.18833°N 90.44056°W / 43.18833; -90.44056](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Muscoda,_Wisconsin&params=43_11_18_N_90_26_26_W_type:city) (43.188457, -90.440775),[12] on the Wisconsin River. Large rolling hills border the south of the town, covered in mixed hardwoods, mainly Maple, Red/White Oak, Aspen, Cherry, Elm, and Walnut. 2,100 acres (8.5 km2) of public land hug both the eastern and western sides of Muscoda. These public lands hold a great deal of wildlife for both sports and wildlife enthusiasts.

According to the [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau), the village has a total area of 1.46 square miles (3.78 km2), all land.[13]

## Demographics

Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1880 740 — 1890 605 −18.2% 1900 743 22.8% 1910 798 7.4% 1920 903 13.2% 1930 900 −0.3% 1940 902 0.2% 1950 1,046 16.0% 1960 927 −11.4% 1970 1,099 18.6% 1980 1,331 21.1% 1990 1,287 −3.3% 2000 1,453 12.9% 2010 1,299 −10.6% 2020 1,307 0.6% U.S. Decennial Census[14]

### 2010 census

As of the [census](/source/Census)[15] of 2010, there were 1,299 people, 569 households, and 341 families living in the village. The [population density](/source/Population_density) was 889.7 inhabitants per square mile (343.5/km2). There were 643 housing units at an average density of 440.4 per square mile (170.0/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 98.9% [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 0.3% [African American](/source/African_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.3% [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.1% [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), and 0.4% from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 569 households, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were [married couples](/source/Marriage) living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.74.

The median age in the village was 40.4 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 19.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

### 2000 census

As of the [census](/source/Census)[4] of 2000, there were 1,453 people, 610 households, and 384 families living in the village. The [population density](/source/Population_density) was 1,069.1 people per square mile (412.5/km2). There were 661 housing units at an average density of 486.3 per square mile (187.7/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 98.42% [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 0.28% [Black](/source/African_American_(U.S._Census)) or [African American](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 0.21% [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.07% [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), and 1.03% from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 610 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were [married couples](/source/Marriage) living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $30,903, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $29,853 versus $21,058 for females. The [per capita income](/source/Per_capita_income) for the village was $15,390. About 7.9% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the [poverty line](/source/Poverty_line), including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

[Riverdale High School](/source/Riverdale_High_School_(Wisconsin))

Muscoda public library and water tower

[Riverdale School District](/source/Riverdale_School_District_(Wisconsin)) is the area school district.[16][17]

[Riverdale High School](/source/Riverdale_High_School_(Wisconsin)), which is part of the district, is in Muscoda.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CenPopGazetteer2019_1-0)** ["2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files"](https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_55.txt). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GR3-u_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GR3-u_2-1) ["Muscoda"](https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names/1570054). *[Geographic Names Information System](/source/Geographic_Names_Information_System)*. [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey), [United States Department of the Interior](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior). Retrieved February 24, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2020_Census_3-0)** ["Census Bureau profile: Muscoda village, Wisconsin"](https://data.census.gov/all?q=Muscoda%20village,%20Wisconsin). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). May 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GR2_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GR2_4-1) ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved January 31, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Census Bureau profile: Muscoda village, Grant County, Wisconsin"](https://data.census.gov/all?q=Muscoda%20village,%20Grant%20County,%20Wisconsin). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). May 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Census Bureau profile: Muscoda village, Iowa County, Wisconsin"](https://data.census.gov/all?q=Muscoda%20village,%20Iowa%20County,%20Wisconsin). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). May 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** William Pidgeon. *[Traditions of De-Coo-Dah and Antiquarian Researches](https://books.google.com/books?id=Ql8rAQAAIAAJ&q=traditions+de+coo+dah)*. New York: Thayer, 1858, p. 44.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [English Prairie \[origin of place name\]](http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=3490&term_type_id=2&term_type_text=places&letter=E)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Word Definition](https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/main-entry/mashkode-ni)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Muscoda: Origin of Muscoda, Wisconsin](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS10898). Wisconsin Historical Society.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Morel Mushroom Festival](http://www.muscoda.com)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GR1_12-0)** ["US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990"](https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gazetteer_files_13-0)** ["US Gazetteer files 2010"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Archived from [the original](https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt) on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DecennialCensus_14-0)** ["Census of Population and Housing"](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html). Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-wwwcensusgov_15-0)** ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved November 18, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Iowa County, WI"](https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55049_iowa/DC20SD_C55049.pdf) (PDF). [U.S. Census Bureau](/source/U.S._Census_Bureau). Retrieved September 28, 2024. - [Text list](https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55049_iowa/DC20SD_C55049_SD2MS.txt) - Shows that county's portion of the Village of Muscoda.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Grant County, WI"](https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55043_grant/DC20SD_C55043.pdf) (PDF). [U.S. Census Bureau](/source/U.S._Census_Bureau). p. 2 (PDF p. 3/4). Retrieved September 28, 2024. - [Text list](https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55043_grant/DC20SD_C55043_SD2MS.txt) - Shows that county's portion of the Village of Muscoda.

## Further reading

- Schafer, Joseph. "[Muscoda, 1763-1856](http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/wmh/id/2111)". *[Wisconsin Magazine of History](/source/Wisconsin_Magazine_of_History)*, vol. 4, no. 1 (September 1920): 27–43.

## External links

- [Muscoda, Wisconsin](http://www.muscoda.com/)

- Sanborn fire insurance maps: [1892](http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/8222) [1899](http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/13539) [1904](http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/8227) [1912](http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/8231)

v t e Municipalities and communities of Grant County, Wisconsin, United States County seat: Lancaster Cities Boscobel Cuba City‡ Fennimore Lancaster Platteville Villages Bagley Bloomington Blue River Cassville Dickeyville Hazel Green‡ Livingston‡ Montfort‡ Mount Hope Muscoda‡ Patch Grove Potosi Tennyson Woodman Towns Beetown Bloomington Boscobel Cassville Castle Rock Clifton Ellenboro Fennimore Glen Haven Harrison Hazel Green Hickory Grove Jamestown Liberty Lima Little Grant Marion Millville Mount Hope Mount Ida Muscoda North Lancaster Paris Patch Grove Platteville Potosi Smelser South Lancaster Waterloo Watterstown Wingville Woodman Wyalusing CDPs Glen Haven Kieler Sandy Hook Other communities Beetown Bigpatch British Hollow Brodtville Burton Elmo Fair Play Louisburg Mount Ida Preston Rutledge Saint Rose Sinsinawa Stitzer Werley Wyalusing Former communities Pleasant Ridge Sinnipee Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties Wisconsin portal United States portal

v t e Municipalities and communities of Iowa County, Wisconsin, United States County seat: Dodgeville Cities Dodgeville Mineral Point Villages Arena Avoca Barneveld Blanchardville‡ Cobb Highland Hollandale Linden Livingston‡ Montfort‡ Muscoda‡ Rewey Ridgeway Towns Arena Brigham Clyde Dodgeville Eden Highland Linden Mifflin Mineral Point Moscow Pulaski Ridgeway Waldwick Wyoming CDP Edmund Unincorporated communities Clyde Helena Hyde Moscow Pleasant Ridge Ghost towns Adamsville Dirty Hollow Minersville Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties Wisconsin portal United States portal

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Muscoda, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscoda%2C_Wisconsin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscoda%2C_Wisconsin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.