Editing Shell Lake, Wisconsin

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Shell Lake, Wisconsin
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Washburn county WI Shell Lake IMG 1660.JPG
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Local Historical Museum in Shell Lake
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = File:Washburn County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Shell Lake Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Shell Lake in Washburn County, Wisconsin
| pushpin_map        = Wisconsin#USA
| pushpin_label      = Shell Lake
| pushpin_relief     = yes

<!-- Location -->| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|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  = [[Washburn County, Wisconsin|Washburn]]

<!-- Government -->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = <!-- Area -->
| 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|accessdate=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 10.24
| area_land_sq_mi    = 5.85
| area_water_sq_mi   = 4.40

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Shell Lake city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Shell+Lake+city,+Wisconsin |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref>
| population_total   = 1371
| population_density_sq_mi = auto

<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| elevation_ft       = 1240
| coordinates        = {{coord|45|44|1|N|91|55|3|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 54871
| area_code          = [[Area codes 715 and 534|715 & 534]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 55-73200<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1574007<ref name="GR3" />
| website            = {{URL|shelllake.org}}
| footnotes          = 
| area_total_km2     = 26.53
| area_land_km2      = 15.14
| area_water_km2     = 11.39
| population_density_km2 = auto
}}

'''Shell Lake''' is a city in [[Washburn County, Wisconsin]], United States. The population was 1,371 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is the [[county seat]] of Washburn County.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|accessdate=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==History==
A post office called Shell Lake has been in operation since 1880.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=WI&county=Washburn&searchtext=&pagenum=2 | title=Washburn County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | accessdate=2 April 2015}}</ref> The city took its name from nearby [[Shell Lake (Wisconsin)|Shell Lake]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Chicago and North Western Railway Company|title=A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA164|year=1908|page=164}}</ref>

==Geography==
Shell Lake is located at {{coord|45|44|1|N|91|55|3|W|type:city}} (45.733590, -91.917368).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|10.20|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|5.81|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|4.39|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]]|accessdate=2012-11-18|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archivedate=2012-01-25}}</ref>

The primary geographical feature of the city is Shell Lake, which occupies the geographic center of the city and lies completely within the city limits.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| align = left
| 1910 = 902
| 1920 = 920
| 1930 = 826
| 1940 = 872
| 1950 = 954
| 1960 = 1016
| 1970 = 928
| 1980 = 1135
| 1990 = 1161
| 2000 = 1309
| 2010 = 1347
| 2020 = 1371
| 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|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===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]]|accessdate=2012-11-18}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,347 people, 594 households, and 357 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|231.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 988 housing units at an average density of {{convert|170.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 594 households, of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.9% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 46.1 years. 22% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 26.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.8% male and 55.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,309 people, 559 households, and 353 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 211.3 people per square mile (81.6/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 890 housing units at an average density of 143.7 per square mile (55.5/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 98.62% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.08% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.38% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.08% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.08% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.76% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 0.99% of the population.

There were 559 households, out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 20.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 29.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,073, and the median income for a family was $42,917. Males had a median income of $35,313 versus $20,417 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,675. About 4.4% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
[[File:Shell Lake City Hall.jpg|thumb|right|Shell Lake City Hall]]

Shell Lake is the county seat of Washburn County. The current mayor is Sally Peterson.<ref>{{cite web |title=City Officials |url=http://www.shelllake.org/local-government/administration/city-officials/ |website=City of Shell Lake |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>

{{Hidden begin

|titlestyle = background:#ccccff;
|title      = Presidential election results

}}
	
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; font-size: 95%;"
|+ Presidential election results <ref>{{cite web |title=Ward by Ward Report November 5 2024 election |url=https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Ward%20by%20Ward%20Report_November%205%202024%20General%20Election_Federal%20and%20State%20Contests.xlsx |website=Wisconsin Elections Commission |publisher=Wisconsin Elections Commission |access-date=10 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third parties]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2024 United States presidential election in Wisconsin|2024]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.0%''' ''439''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.9% ''350''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.1% ''9''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Wisconsin, 2020|2020]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.9%''' ''396''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|48.6% ''386''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.5% ''12''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Wisconsin, 2016|2016]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''48.7%''' ''363''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.0% ''320''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|8.3% ''62''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Wisconsin, 2012|2012]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.1% ''342''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.7%''' ''415''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''2''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Wisconsin, 2008|2008]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.7% ''326''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.7%''' ''425''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.6% ''12''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Wisconsin, 2004|2004]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|48.5% ''373''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''51.0%''' ''392''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.5% ''4''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Wisconsin, 2000|2000]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.9% ''310''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''49.0%''' ''331''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|5.2% ''35''
|}
{{Hidden end}}

==Education==
Shell Lake is served by the Shell Lake School District, which operates [[Shell Lake High School]].

Shell Lake Arts Center offers arts education camp in fine art, theater, and music for school-aged children and teens. It operates the oldest summer jazz camps for youth in the nation,{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} taught by master musicians and teachers from Chicago, St. Paul-Minneapolis, Milwaukee, the [[University of Wisconsin System]], the [[University of Minnesota]] and elsewhere.

[[Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College]] (WITC) has its administrative offices in Shell Lake.

==Transportation==
[[Image:US 63.svg|20px]][[U.S. Route 63|U.S. Highway 63]], the major north-south arterial for the city, passes along the western shore of Shell Lake. County Road B serves as a northern east-west arterial and city limit and County Road D serves as the southern limit and east-west arterial. Both provide access to [[U.S. Route 53|the U.S. Highway 53 corridor]].[[Image:US 53.svg|20px]]

===Airport===
[[Shell Lake Municipal Airport]] (ICAO: KSSQ, FAA LID: SSQ) is located southeast of the central business district. It has a year-round 3,711-foot asphalt runway with pilot controlled medium intensity runway lights, PAPI visual glide slope indicators and both GPS and VOR/DME based instrument approaches. It averages over 12,600 takeoffs and landings per year.<ref name ="www.shelllake.org">{{cite web|title=Shell Lake, WI Website|url=http://www.shelllake.org/visiting-us/aiport/ |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref>

==Emergency services==
Shell Lake Police Department serves the city with three full-time officers and two part-time officers. Its Chief of Police is David Wilson.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shelllake.org/local-government/departments/police-department/|title=Police Department {{!}} City of Shell Lake|website=www.shelllake.org|access-date=2016-09-24}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

Established in 1898, the Shell Lake Fire Department serves the City of Shell Lake and 180 square miles of territory in the towns of [[Barronett, Wisconsin|Barronett]], [[Bashaw, Wisconsin|Bashaw]], [[Beaver Brook, Wisconsin|Beaver Brook]], and [[Sarona, Wisconsin|Sarona]] in Washburn County and the towns of [[Dewey, Burnett County, Wisconsin|Dewey]] and [[Roosevelt, Burnett County, Wisconsin|Roosevelt]] in [[Burnett County, Wisconsin|Burnett County]]. The Shell Lake Fire Department assists the [[Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]] in wildland fire protection, cold water and ice rescue training, water rescues, auto extrications, and other services.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}

Ambulance service is provided by North Memorial Medical Center's Spooner/Shell Lake station.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northmemorial.com/wisconsin#about|title=North Memorial Ambulance - Wisconsin Region|website=www.northmemorial.com|access-date=2017-02-13}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Hans M. Laursen]], businessman and politician; lived in Shell Lake<ref>'Wisconsin Blue Book 1915,' Biographical Sketch of Hans M. Laursen, pg. 504</ref>
* [[Patricia Spafford Smith]], businesswoman and politician; born in Shell Lake<ref>[http://wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2963&keyword=smith Wisconsin Historical Society-Patricia Spafford Smith] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203085048/http://wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2963&keyword=smith |date=December 3, 2013 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of cities in Wisconsin]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Shell Lake, Wisconsin}}
* {{official website|http://www.shelllake.org/}}

{{Washburn County, Wisconsin}}
{{Wisconsin county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Cities in Washburn County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:County seats in Wisconsin]]