Superior, Wisconsin


Superior is a city in Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. The population was 26,751 at the 2020 census. Superior and nearby Duluth, Minnesota, sit at the western tip of Lake Superior and together form the Twin Ports, a major Great Lakes harbor.
Bordered by Saint Louis, Superior, and Allouez bays, the city is framed by two rivers: the Nemadji and the Saint Louis. Superior is at the junction of U.S. Route 2 and U.S. Route 53 immediately north of, and adjacent to, both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior. It is an industrial city, with ship harbors along two sides, several large rail yards, an oil refinery, and a shipyard. Superior and neighboring Duluth feature museum ships, devoted to the local maritime heritage. Superior was the final port of call for before her sinking on November 10, 1975.

History

The first log cabin in Superior was erected in September 1853 on the banks of the Nemadji River, at the same time that ground was broken for construction of the locks and ship canal at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This was intended to allow ships to bypass the rapids at that site. Superior was incorporated as a city on March 25, 1889. Around the same time Superior became the seat of newly formed Douglas County. Immediately there was eagerness for a railroad from Lake Superior to the Pacific Coast, and investment flowed in, but then the Panic of 1857 hit, investment slowed, and the population of the new city collapsed from 2500 to 500.
Twenty-five years later the Northern Pacific Railway and other rail lines finally arrived, fulfilling the dream of a rail and water highway from coast to coast. In 1883 General John H. Hammond formed the Land and River Improvement Company, which developed much of West Superior, including the West Superior Iron and Steel plant. Numerous grain, coal and lumber businesses formed in the same period.
In the Boom Period from 1888 to 1892, Land and River Improvement and others built architect-designed business blocks on Tower Avenue, seeing Superior as the "new Chicago". Many of the investors were from out East, so the buildings received names like the New Jersey Block and the Maryland Block. By 1892, population was 34,000. Then the Panic of 1893 hit, and development slowed again.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. Most of Superior is level, with a gradual slope toward Lake Superior.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, the population was 26,751. The population density was. There were 12,593 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 87.7% White, 2.1% Native American, 1.8% Black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 6.7% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 2.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 27,244 people, 11,670 households, and 6,548 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 12,328 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 91.5% White, 1.4% African American, 2.6% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.4% of the population.
There were 11,670 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.9% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the city was 35.4 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 27,368 people, 11,609 households, and 6,698 families residing in the city. The population density was 740.9 people per square mile. There were 12,196 housing units at an average density of 330.2 per square mile. 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. 15.8% were of German, 13.6% Norwegian, 10.9% Swedish, 9.3% Irish, 7.2% Polish, 6.9% Finnish and 5.3% American ancestry.
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.
The city's median household income was $31,921, and the median family income 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. 13.4% of the population and 9.6% of families were below the poverty line. 16.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. 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

The transportation industry accounts for more than 1,000 jobs. The Twin Ports of Duluth–Superior, the largest in the Great Lakes, welcomes both domestic and foreign vessels. Bulk solids make up much of the tonnage handled by the port, and the silos of such port facilities are visible on the Superior waterfront. In 2004, the port's busiest year since 1979, more than 41.4 million metric tons were shipped out of the port. BNSF Railway has an operations hub in Superior.
Cenovus Energy operates a refinery in Superior. The refinery is located along a pipeline connecting western Canada and the Midwest. On April 26, 2018, there was an explosion at the refinery. Douglas County issued a state of emergency due to heavy smoke, and then an evacuation order for local residents and workers. There were 20 injuries, and five were taken to hospital in Duluth. No fatalities were reported.
Growing area manufacturers include FenTech, Inc., which manufactures vinyl doors and windows; Charter NEX Films, a producer of plastic films; Genesis Attachments, manufacturer of shears and grapples; Amsoil, a producer of synthetic motor oil and lubricants; and Crane Song Ltd. a manufacturer of discrete Class A electronics for recording studios. Fraser Shipyards also provides many jobs to local residents. They repower and repair commercial vessels.

Arts and culture

is located in downtown Superior.
Superior City FC, a semi-professional soccer club, compete in the United Premier Soccer League. Founded in 2023, the club supports a Men's UPSL Premier team, a Women's UPSL Premier team, and multiple amateur adult teams. The club plays their home games at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex, located at Superior Senior High School.
Every summer, Superior Porchfest takes place, occurring every two weeks on Thursdays between June and September. This community event features musical performances on the porches of homeowners in various neighborhoods, transforming these spaces into makeshift stages. The lineup typically includes at least three musical acts, with the potential for up to six. Superior Porchfest is organized by the 501 nonprofit organization Siggy's Musical Garden.

Parks and recreation

There are several parks in the city, including the second largest municipal forest in the United States, located in the city's Billings Park neighborhood.

Government

The current mayor of Superior is Jim Paine, who was first elected in 2017. Superior is also governed by a Common Council. The Common Council serves as the legislative branch of the City government, enacting ordinances, resolutions, approving the budget, setting policies and taking other actions as necessary to guide the operations of City government. Nonpartisan elections are held in April of each year, If more than two candidates vie for the same office, a primary will be held the preceding February. A re-organizational meeting is held the third Tuesday in April where the Council President and vice-president are selected.
The Common Council is supported by several committees. Committee meetings are open to the public and subject to the open meeting rules. The Committee of the Whole is made up of ten councilors and meets immediately after the 2nd monthly Regular Council Meeting, except in April, when the Council organizes and elects their president and Vice President. There are six standing committees: Committee of the Whole, Finance, Human Resources, License and Fees, Public Safety, and Public Works. Special committees may be established by three-fourths vote of the council. The city has more than 40 Committees and Commissions which are made up of City of Superior residents, elected officials and/or City Staff.
YearRepublicanDemocraticThird parties
202439.4% 5,32958.7% 7,9431.9% 328
202037.9% 5,08359.6% 7,9992.5% 328
201637.4% 4,64254.9% 6,8287.7% 956
201229.6% 3,78369.0% 8,8161.4% 178
200829.5% 4,15468.9% 9,7111.6% 229
200430.6% 4,56668.5% 10,2170.8% 125
200028.2% 3,68766.1% 8,6475.6% 738