Stevens Point, Portage County, is located in central part of the U.S. State of Wisconsin. It is the largest city and the county seat. As of the 2000 US Federal Census, the population was 24,551 persons. The city was incorporated in 1858.

Stevens Point was named after its founder, George Stevens, who ran several saloons on what is today known as "The Square." Loggers on the Wisconsin River found this a convenient stopping point, as the river bends slightly and one could tell from far upstream whether Stevens' point was open for business.

(A local legend also claims that Stevens Point is a bastardization of "Stevens Pint", a reference to Stevens' alleged practice of serving whiskey by the pint.)

The city is home to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), a small university with almost 10,000 students known for its graduate and undergraduate natural resource degrees, and its forestry, paper science, biology, and teaching degrees. The university also has strong programs in the arts, communications, and sciences. An MBA program is also available.

Together with surrounding communities, the Stevens Point micropolitan area was, according to the 2000 census, home to 48,123 people. The city forms the core of the United States Census Bureau's Stevens Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Portage County (2000 population: 67,182).

Geography

---

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 42.1 km² (16.2 mi²). 39.7 km² (15.3 mi²) of it is land and 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (5.61%) is water.

It is surrounded by several smaller villages and towns, including Plover, Whiting, Custer, Park Ridge, and the Town of Hull. On average, the temperature ranges from 20° to 80° Fahrenheit. All four seasons can be distinctly observed, with snow falling most heavily in December and January and temperatures rising to their average summer levels of about 70° in July and August.

Demographics

---

As of the census of 2000, there were 24,551 people, 9,305 households, and 4,652 families residing in the city. The population density was 619.2/km² (1,603.2/mi²). There were 9,749 housing units at an average density of 245.9/km² (636.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.53% White, 0.47% African American, 0.46% Native American, 4.78% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.61% of the population.

There were 9,305 households out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.0% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.2% under the age of 18, 30.8% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age...