General Info
Pepin County was originally inhabited by Dakota Indians who lived in the area for thousands of years before the first European settlers came in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Originally Pepin County was parts of both Chippewa and Dunn Counties but was later separated on February 25, 1858 when it was created by a special act of the Wisconsin Legislature. Many of the early settlers were attracted to the rich fertile soil that was used for agriculture. Pepin County’s proximity to the Mississippi River also was a major attraction that helped draw people to the area. Railroads and steamboat travel helped bring in larger populations to the area making Pepin County an industrial and commercial hub. By 1900 Pepin County had a population of 7,905 residents. Today Pepin County is home to approximately 7,293 residents.
