Menasha, Wisconsin

This article is about the city. For the adjacent former town, see Menasha (town), Wisconsin.

Menasha, Wisconsin
City
Downtown Menasha, a historic district
Downtown Menasha
Menasha High School
Menasha Post Office
The Menasha Dam
Motto: 
Your Place on the Water
Location of Menasha in Calumet County, Wisconsin.
Location of Menasha in Calumet County, Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 44°13′N 88°26′W / 44.217°N 88.433°W / 44.217; -88.433
Country United States
State Wisconsin
CountiesWinnebago, Calumet
First settled1835
Incorporated as a town1848
Incorporated as a city1874
Named forWinnebago word for "Island"
Government
 • TypeMayor-council government
 • MayorAustin Hammond
Area
[1]
 • Total
7.78 sq mi (20.16 km2)
 • Land6.05 sq mi (15.66 km2)
 • Water1.74 sq mi (4.50 km2)
Elevation
[2]
755 ft (230 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total
18,268
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
17,873
 • Density3,021.5/sq mi (7,825.64/km2)
DemonymMenashan
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
54952[5]
Area code920
FIPS code55-50825[6]
GNIS feature ID1569330[2]
Websitemenashawi.gov

Menasha (/məˈnæʃə/) is a city in Calumet and Winnebago counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 18,268 at the 2020 census. Of this, 15,144 were in Winnebago County, and 2,209 were in Calumet County. The city is located mostly in Winnebago County; only a small portion is in Calumet County. Doty Island is located partially in Menasha, which it shares with Neenah. The city's name comes from the Winnebago word meaning "thorn" or "island".[7] In the Menominee language, it is known as Menāēhsaeh, meaning "little island".[8]

Menasha's location on the Fox River and Lake Winnebago led to its rich history, dating back to the inhabitation by Native American tribes for centuries.[9] European settlement in the 1800s led to the development of Menasha as a transportation hub and later a center for paper production and wooden ware products.[9][10]

Today, Menasha offers various attractions for residents and visitors alike. The city features parks and trails for outdoor recreation, while the Barlow Planetarium and the Weis Earth Science Museum on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus provide educational opportunities.

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference wwwcensusgov was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "Menasha WI ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 101.
  8. ^ Hoffman, Mike. "Menominee Place Names in Wisconsin". The Menominee Clans Story. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "A tale of twin cities : or the development of the Fox River Waterway - UWDC - UW-Madison Libraries". search.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  10. ^ "Centennial memories : a brief history of Menasha, Wisconsin - UWDC - UW-Madison Libraries". search.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved July 4, 2024.