History of Marathon County, Wisconsin in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 17, 2026

Marathon County, Wisconsin, established in 1850 from Portage County, had a population of 138,013 in 2020. Its county seat is Wausau. The county's original boundaries extended to Wisconsin's northern border. Its name originates from the battlefield of Marathon, Greece.

1928: Presidential Election Exception

In 1928, Marathon County deviated from its bellwether status when it did not vote for the candidate who won the state. The losing candidate in 1928 was Catholic.

1940: Presidential Election Exception

In 1940, many German Americans in Marathon County turned away from Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was seen as Anglophilic, causing the county to deviate from its bellwether status.

1996: Shift to Republican Party

In 1996, Marathon County broke for the Republican Party for the first time since its formation due to the Democratic Party's adoption of the populist movement, which upset the local anti-free silver Germans.

2000: Census Data

In 2000, the census recorded Marathon County having 125,834 people, 47,702 households, and 33,868 families residing in the county. The population density was 81 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 93.84% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 4.54% Asian, and other groups comprising the remaining percentage. 52.6% were of German and 13.6% Polish ancestry.

2000: Shift Towards Republican Party

Starting in 2000, Marathon County began to shift towards the Republican Party, even as Wisconsin remained a blue state, reflecting a trend among other rural counties.

2006: Last Democratic Vote at State Level

2006 marks the last time Marathon County voted for a Democrat at the state level.

2008: Republican Gains Amidst Obama's Landslide

Despite Barack Obama's landslide victory in 2008, Republicans continued to gain ground in Marathon County.

2020: Population and Housing Statistics

In 2020, Marathon County had a population of 138,013, with a population density of 89.3 people per square mile. There were 59,828 housing units at an average density of 38.7 units per square mile.