Pelican, WI

History

The Town of Pelican was established in 1882 and is located in the southern portion of Oneida County, Wisconsin. The Town is bounded by the City of Rhinelander, Town of Pine Lake, and Town of Stella to the north; Town of Monico to the east; The Town of Crescent to the west; and the Towns of Enterprise and Schoepke to the south. It is one of the twenty towns in Oneida County.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 54.2 square miles (140.2 km2), of which, 51.5 square miles (133.3 km2) of it is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) of it (4.99%) is water.

The Town of Pelican is about 35,599 acres in size and has over 16 lakes. Much of the Town is forested. Pelican is part of the Northern Highland geomorphic region with a glacial landscape that includes gently rolling, rounded, forested hills rising above adjacent marshy areas.

Population

The population in Pelican is 2,902. There are 55 people per square mile aka population density. The median age in Pelican is 46.6, the US median age is 37.4. The number of people per household in Pelican is 2.5, the US average of people per household is 2.6.

Family in Pelican

• 63.4% are married
• 10.8% are divorced
• 20.8% are married with children
• 9.6% have children, but are single

Race in Pelican

• 98.1% are white
• 0.0% are black
• 1.3% are asian
• 0.6% are native american
• 0.0% claim Other
• 0.0% claim Hispanic Ethnicity
• 0.0% Two or More Races
• 0.0% Hawaiian, Pacific Islander

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,053, and the median income for a family was $44,423. Males had a median income of $38,169 versus $20,861 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,566. About 5.3% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (KRHI) serves Pelican, the county and surrounding communities with both scheduled commercial jet service and general aviation services.

The Town of Pelican is served by U.S. Highway 8 and State Highway 47 (which occupy the same roadway in Pelican), which is the Town’s primary traffic artery running east west through the Town.

Schools

The Town of Pelican is in the Rhinelander school district, and is also served by two parochial elementary schools in Rhinelander. Northwoods Community Elementary School, located at 9086 County Hwy K, Harshaw, WI 54529, is a School District of Rhinelander charter elementary school. All Pelican children are granted access to this or any other elementary school in the district, and transportation will be provided. The Nicolet Technical College, located in Rhinelander, serves the town. Two libraries serve the town, the Rhinelander District Library and the Nicolet Technical College library also in Rhinelander.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Pelican: 

• Northcentral Technical College (about 46 miles; Wausau, WI; Full-time enrollment: 3,356) 
• University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (about 76 miles; Stevens Point, WI; FT enrollment: 9,089) 
• Mid-State Technical College (about 87 miles; Wisconsin Rapids, WI; FT enrollment: 2,128) 
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (about 97 miles; Green Bay, WI; FT enrollment: 6,069) 
• Fox Valley Technical College (about 102 miles; Appleton, WI; FT enrollment: 5,682) 
• Saint Norbert College (about 103 miles; De Pere, WI; FT enrollment: 2,324) 
• University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (about 103 miles; Green Bay, WI; FT enrollment: 5,415)

Healthcare

The nearest medical facility is Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rhinelander. This hospital provides 24-hour emergency service and critical care.

Hospitals and medical centers near Pelican: 

• MINISTRY ST MARYS HOSPITAL Acute Care Hospitals (about 3 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
• SACRED HEART, ST MARY’S INC HOSPICE (Hospital, about 3 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
• DAVITA – PINE CREST DIALYSIS (Dialysis Facility, about 4 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
• FRIENDLY VILLAGE (Nursing Home, about 5 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
• FRIENDLY VILLAGE NURSING AND REHAB CENTER (Nursing Home, about 5 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
• HORIZONS UNLIMITED (Nursing Home, about 5 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
• TAYLOR PARK NURSING AND REHAB CTR (Nursing Home, about 5 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI)

Outdoor Points of Interest

Park or Park-like facilities within the Town of Pelican include a picnic area and swimming beach near the Town Hall. The Almon Recreation area, located on Buck Lake, is the largest of the County’s parks, at 160 acres. Facilities include a swimming beach, restrooms, changing rooms, picnic tables, grills and shelters, parking, and an extensive network of nature trails.

Great Lakes or Chains

Five water bodies in Town are listed as not meeting the standards set under the U.S. Clean Water Act, Section 303(d). The impaired waters in Pelican are: Fourth Lake, Fifth Lake, Long Lake, Lake Thompson, and Slaughterhouse Creek. Lake Julia, which is partially within the Town is also listed as an impaired water.

Fourth Lake. Fourth Lake is a 253 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 14 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Fifth Lake. Fifth Lake is a 238 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 9 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water is moderately clear.

Lake Thompson. Lake Thompson is a 401 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 30 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is low.

George Lake. George Lake is a 443 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 26 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is low.

Lake Julia. Lake Julia is a 241 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 19 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water is moderately clear.

Clear Lake. Clear Lake is a 63 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 17 feet. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike.

Buck Lake. Buck Lake is a 59 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 49 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public beach. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

Hixon Lake. Hixon Lake is a 58 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 28 feet. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass and Walleye.

De Marce Lake. De Marce Lake is a 48 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 15 feet. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike.

Art Centers, Community Centers, and ETC

Pelican Town Hall 4093 County Hwy P Rhinelander, WI 54501

The Town Hall is located on County Highway P and also houses the Fire Department. The Town Hall serves as a meeting room available for Town residents use and includes a kitchen and restrooms, as well as outdoor facilities including a pavilion. There is one private, non-denominational cemetery located at Lake Thompson Road and Northshore Drive.

The Town maintains its own volunteer fire department, including rescue and first responders. EMS/ambulance service comes from Rhinelander. The Town has mutual aid agreements with all surrounding town volunteer fire departments. Maintaining necessary staffing levels is an ongoing issue for the volunteer Department.

Average Home Price Sold

2018 Ave Price Sold: $139,704.44

2021 Ave Price Sold: $314,177.27

2023 Ave Price Sold: $501,553.73