La Pointe is a town located in Ashland County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 246.

The town includes all of the Apostle Islands. There is an unincorporated community named La Pointe on Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands and the only one open for commercial development. Although originally the site of a fortified French trading post from 1693-1698, and 1718-1759, La Pointe today was founded more directly as an American Fur Company outpost, beginning in the early 19th century.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 201.9 km² (78.0 mi²). 200.9 km² (77.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.50% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 246 people, 125 households, and 66 families residing in the town. The population density is 1.2/km² (3.2/mi²). There are 692 housing units at an average density of 3.4/km² (8.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.72% White, 0.00% African American, 1.63% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.41% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 2.85% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 125 households out of which 22.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% are married couples living together, 4.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 46.4% are non-families. 40.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.96 and the average family size is 2.64.

In the town the population is spread out with 19.1% under the age of 18, 2.8% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 46 years. For every 100 females there are 119.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 116.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $33,500, and the median income for a family is $42,708. Males have a median income of $29,583 versus $31,042 for females. The per capita income for the town is $23,352. 4.6% of the population and 0.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 2.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.