Mercer, Wisconsin

Mercer, Wisconsin
Town
Downtown Mercer in the census-designated place (CDP)
Motto: Loon Capital of the World
Location in Iron County and the state of Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 46°10′3″N 90°6′15″W / 46.16750°N 90.10417°W / 46.16750; -90.10417
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Iron
Area
• Total	184.8 sq mi (478.5 km2)
• Land	168.0 sq mi (435.2 km2)
• Water	16.7 sq mi (43.3 km2)
Elevation	1,611 ft (491 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	1,732
• Density	10.3/sq mi (4.0/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
Area code(s)	715 & 534
FIPS code	55-51200
GNIS feature ID	1583700

Mercer is a town in southern Iron County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,732 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Mercer and the unincorporated communities of Carter and Manitowish are located within the town.

Mercer identifies itself as the "Loon Capital of the World" to promote tourism. A wildlife study found Mercer had the highest concentration of common loons in the world. In front of the Mercer Chamber of Commerce's information center, there is a 16-foot (4.9 m), 2,000-pound (910 kg) statue named "Claire de Loon". Mercer also hosts an annual "Loon Day" festival, which features an arts and crafts fair, live music and a loon calling contest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 184.8 square miles (478.5 km²), of which 168.0 square miles (435.2 km²) is land and 16.7 square miles (43.3 km²) (9.05%) is water.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,732 people, 820 households, and 519 families residing in the town. The population density was 10.3 people per square mile (4.0/km²). There were 1,926 housing units at an average density of 11.5 per square mile (4.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.96% White, 0.12% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.