Superior is a city and the county seat of Douglas County, Wisconsin. Superior is located at the western end of Lake Superior in northwestern Wisconsin. It is often overshadowed today, as it was in the past, by its twin port of Duluth, Minnesota. Duluth and Superior form a single metropolitan area called the Twin Ports and share a harbor that is one of the most important ports on the Great Lakes. Both cities have museums devoted to the local nautical heritage.

As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 27,368. The city is located just north of and adjacent to both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.

Superior is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Superior.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 143.6 km² (55.4 mi²). 95.7 km² (36.9 mi²) of it is land and 47.9 km² (18.5 mi²) of it (33.36%) is water.

Demographics

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As of the census of 2000, there were 27,368 people, 11,609 households, and 6,698 families residing in the city. The population density was 286.1/km² (740.9/mi²). There were 12,196 housing units at an average density of 127.5/km² (330.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.26% White, 0.68% Black or African American, 2.23% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 0.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,609 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 34.2% 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 2.26 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

Economy

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Superior's major industries have traditionally centered around its value as a transfer station. Trucking, railroads, and Great Lakes shipping bring people from around the United States and the world to this city. Among the items shipped out are iron ore (taconite) from Minnesota's Iron Range and grain. Superior is also the home of the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,921, and the median income for a family was $41,093. Males had a median income of $33,712 versus $22,073 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,253. About 9.6% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over. The current property taxes paid by city residents are much higher than the surrounding areas.

External links

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• City of Superior
• School District of Superior
• Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce
• Superior Community Page and Links

Duluth-Superior | Cities in Wisconsin | Douglas County, Wisconsin

Superior (Wisconsin)