Greenville is a village in Outagamie County, Wisconsin. It is one of 18 communities that form the basis of the Fox Cities, the third largest metropolitan area in Wisconsin. The population was 12,619 in 2020.[1]
Greenville | |
|---|---|
  Greenville  Greenville | |
| Coordinates: 44°17′15″N 88°31′33″W / 44.28750°N 88.52583°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| Counties | Outagamie |
| Surrounding towns | Clayton, Dale, Ellington, Grand Chute, Hortonia, Menasha |
| Settled | 1848 |
| Government | |
| • Village President | Jack Anderson |
| Area | |
• Total | 93 km2 (35.8 sq mi) |
| • Land | 93 km2 (35.8 sq mi) |
| • Water | 0.1 km2 (0.04 sq mi) 0.06% |
| Elevation | 252 m (827 ft) |
| Population (2018) | |
• Total | 12,264 |
| • Density | 73.8/km2 (191.2/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code | 54913, 54942, 54944 |
| Area code | 274 & 920 |
| FIPS code | 55-31550[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2829852[2] |
| Website | greenvillewi |
History
editThe town was founded in 1848 as Greenville Station, and changed its name to Becker in 1879 (named after the first postmaster). Its name was changed to Greenville in 1896.[3]
After having an initial incorporation attempt denied by the Wisconsin Incorporation Review Board, the town was able to secure a referendum for a partial incorporation in November 2020.[4] The eastern half of the community incorporated as a village in January 2021, and successfully annexed the remnant western half of the original township in June 2021. This makes it one of the largest villages in the State of Wisconsin by area and population.[5]
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 35.8 square miles (92.7 km2), of which, 35.8 square miles (92.7 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2) of it (0.06%) is water.
The former unincorporated community of Greenville and the ghost town of Wakefield are located in the village.
Demographics
editGreenville is a part of the Appleton, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, Wisconsin Combined Statistical Area.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 6,844 people, 2,301 households, and 1,937 families residing in the town. The population density was 191.2 people per square mile (73.8/km2). There were 2,353 housing units at an average density of 65.7 per square mile (25.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.25% White, 0.22% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.59% of the population.
There were 2,301 households, out of which 48.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.4% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.8% were non-families. 11.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.5% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $61,381, and the median income for a family was $65,706. Males had a median income of $45,863 versus $29,360 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,164. About 1.4% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
editAppleton International Airport is the economic engine for the community. Many of the village's largest employers are located in business parks surrounding the airport. Air Wisconsin, the largest privately owned regional airline in the country, is headquartered in Greenville.[6][7] Other businesses include School Specialty, the village's largest employer; Amazon; Federal Express; Gulfstream Aerospace; VF Corporation; Miller Electric; Plexus; Oshkosh Corporation; Badger Plug; Valley Bakers Cooperative; Sonoco Products; Asten Johnson; and Zebra Technologies.[8][9]
Government
edit
Local
editGreenville is governed by an elected five-member village board consisting of a president, vice president, and three trustees. The village is represented on the Outagamie County Board with officials from Districts 32 & 33.
State
edit| Official | Party | Took office | Representing: |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara | Republican | 2023 | 19th State Senate District |
| Rep. David Murphy | Republican | 2013 | 56th Assembly District |
Federal
edit| Official | Party | Took office | Representing: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sen. Tammy Baldwin | Democratic | 2013 | State of Wisconsin |
| Sen. Ron Johnson | Republican | 2011 | State of Wisconsin |
| Vacant | Wisconsin's 8th District |
Education
editPublic instruction is provided by the Hortonville Area School District.[10] The district maintains three elementary schools, two middle schools, a high school, and an independent learning center. Parochial schools include Immanuel Lutheran School and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic School.[11]
Public schools
edit- Greenville Elementary School – located at W6822 Greenridge Drive, has 733 students, and carries grades Pre-K–4.
- North Greenville Elementary School – located at N2468 Learning Way, carries grades Pre-K–4, and was constructed to alleviate the overcrowding in the other elementary schools.
- Greenville Middle School – located at N1450 Fawnridge Drive, has 555 students, and carries grades 5–8.
Private schools
edit- Immanuel Lutheran School – located at W7265 School Road, has 238 students, and carries grades Pre-K–8.[11]
- St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic School – located at N2387 Municipal Drive (WIS 76), has 161 students, and carries grades Pre-K–8.
The Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center is located in Greenville and provides training for law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel.
Religion
editChurches in Greenville include:
- Christus Lutheran Church
- Faith Community United Methodist Church
- Immanuel Lutheran Church (WELS)
- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
- St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish
Transportation
editAppleton International Airport is located in Greenville.[6] The airport is the headquarters for regional airline carrier, Air Wisconsin, and is the original home of Midwest Airlines, which grew out of a subsidiary of Kimberly-Clark, K-C Aviation.
 |
WIS 15 (Greenville Drive) travels east to Grand Chute and west to Hortonville and New London. |
 |
WIS 76 (Municipal Drive) travels south to Oshkosh and north to Shiocton. |
 |
WIS 96 (Wisconsin Avenue) travels east to Grand Chute and Appleton and west to Fremont. |
 |
County BB (Prospect Avenue and Winnegamie Drive) travels east to Appleton. |
 |
County CA (College Avenue) travels east to Grand Chute where it becomes WIS 125. |
 |
County CB (West Side Arterial) travels south to Fox Crossing and Neenah. |
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County JJ (Broadway Drive) travels east to Kaukauna and west to Hortonville. |
Greenville is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Interstate 41 
and 1.8 miles (2.9 km) north of U.S. Route 10 
The Yellowstone Trail National Historic Automobile Route also passes through Greenville.
Parks and recreation
editThe Village maintains approximately 210 acres (0.85 km2) of parkland at 10 facilities located throughout the community. These include:
- Amber Woods – a 7.6-acre (31,000 m2) undeveloped woodland site; a trail system is planned for this area in the future.
- Appletree Square – a 2-acre (8,100 m2) mini-park that includes a crab apple tree arboretum, access to the Greenville Trail System, and a connection to Jennerjohn Park.
- Community Park – a 20-acre (81,000 m2) community park that is the village's primary site for recreational activities. It includes four ball diamonds, bleachers, a pavilion, kitchen facilities, two restroom buildings, a concessions building, play equipment, a tennis court, two half-court basketball courts, and access to the Greenville Trail System.
- Field of Dreams – a 75-acre (300,000 m2) undeveloped parcel whose master plan calls for five ball diamonds, a heritage garden, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic shelters, and a natural area with trails.
- Glen Valley Park – a 2.2-acre (8,900 m2) park with a play equipment. It is not connected to the Greenville Trail System.
- Elder Brook Park (previously Glen Valley Park) – a 8.5-acre (34,000 m2) neighborhood park with a pond and a trail system
- Jennerjohn Park – a 25-acre (100,000 m2) neighborhood park with a baseball diamond, play equipment, two tennis courts, a heritage fountain, a sledding hill and ice rink, and access to the Greenville Trail System. It is also connected to Appletree Square.
- Kimberly Court Park – a 0.75-acre (3,000 m2) mini-park that includes a conifer arboretum and access to the Greenville Trail System
- Lions Park – a 57-acre (230,000 m2) community park that includes a pond, nature trails, four shelters, a 10,000-seat amphitheater, a playground, and access to the Greenville Trail System
- Memorial Square – a mini-park located in front of the Greenville Public Safety Building that has memorials dedicated to area veterans, firefighters, and police officers
- Pebble Ridge Park – a 13-acre (53,000 m2) neighborhood park that includes a mature woodland, pond, and walking trails
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-managed Heath Van Handel Memorial Forest is located in Greenville. The 39-acre forest was previously a nursery, test area, and arboretum for the Institute of Paper Chemistry.[12]
Greenville events include:
Points of interest
editIn popular culture
editThe village of Greenville is the basis of a popular ROBLOX game called Greenville, consisting of a realistic recreation of the town in virtual form.[14]
Images
edit-
An aerial photo of Greenville, WI looking southeast down Hwy 15 -
Airport Water Tower, since repainted
References
edit- ^ a b c "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Village of Greenville". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. May 22, 2023.
- ^ Gard, Robert E. (September 9, 2015). The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names. Wisconsin Historical Society. ISBN 978-0-87020-708-2.
- ^ Behnke, Duke (August 25, 2020). "Greenville finalizes Nov. 3 referendum on whether to incorporate its urbanized east half as a village". Appleton Post-Crescent. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ Behnke, Duke. "Back together: Town and village of Greenville reunify as one 36-square-mile community". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ a b Town of Greenville. Welcome to the Town of Greenville. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- ^ "Contact Air Wisconsin Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine." Air Wisconsin. Retrieved on May 19, 2009.
- ^ "Ch_6_Economic Development.pdf" (PDF). East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ "Amazon coming to Fox Valley". WLUK. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ Hortonville Area School District
- ^ a b "Immanuel Lutheran School".
- ^ "Memorial forest to be dedicated in memory of DNR pilot - Weekly News Article - Wisconsin DNR". Archived from the original on August 29, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Greenville Lions Catfish Races
- ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.