Berlin (/ˈbɜːrlɪn/ BUR-lin) is a city in Green Lake and Waushara counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 5,571 at the 2020 census. Of this, 5,435 were in Green Lake County, and only 89 were in Waushara County. The city is located mostly within the Town of Berlin in Green Lake County, with a small portion extending into the Town of Aurora in Waushara County.

History

In 1845, Nathan H. Strong (1813–1852) became the first resident of what is today Berlin. He was joined by Hugh G. Martin, Hiram Barnes, and William Dickey. Their settlement was known as Strong's Landing. The first school house was built in 1850 and the first church in 1851. Berlin was incorporated as a city in 1857.

Wisconsin's commercial cranberry industry was started in the Berlin area, as well as the first milk condensing factory in the mid-west, Carnation Company. From the mid-1860s to the 1990s, Berlin was called "the fur and leather city" due to its industry.

Pronunciation

Area residents put the accent on the first syllable of Berlin rather than on the second. It has been said that this was in reaction to the anti-German sentiment that swept across the United States during World War I, and that the accent was previously on the second syllable.

Geography

The Fox River runs north-south through the center of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,524 people, 2,296 households, and 1,423 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,561 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.4% White, 0.5% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 3.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.0% of the population.

There were 2,296 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 39 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census Clay Lamberton Elementary School, Berlin Middle School, and Berlin High School are all located on the same campus in Berlin.

  • William Nigh - actor and director
  • Luther Olsen - Wisconsin State Senator
  • Hans H. Olson - Wisconsin State Assembly
  • Reuben W. Peterson - Wisconsin State Assembly
  • Luther Reed - screenwriter and film director
  • Daniel E. Riordan - Wisconsin State Senator
  • Hobart Sterling Sacket - Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate
  • Fred W. Schlueter - Wisconsin State Assembly
  • August E. Smith - Wisconsin State Assembly
  • Newcomb Spoor - Wisconsin State Assembly
  • George D. Waring - Wisconsin State Senator
  • Christian C. Wellensgard - Wisconsin State Assembly
  • Dora V. Wheelock (1847–1923) - temperance activist and writer
  • Ferdinand T. Yahr - Wisconsin State Senator

References

  • Sanborn fire insurance maps: 1884 1891 1895 1900 1911