anatomy of traffic safety pierce county bureau of ... nearest level ii trauma center in the state is...
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Anatomy of Traffic Safety – Pierce County
Bureau of Transportation Safety
Revised: 12/16/16
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Characteristics of the County and the Road Network
Pierce County is a metropolitan county with a population of over 41,000. 54% of Pierce County
residents live in urban areas. The county is considered to be part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-
Bloomington Metropolitan Area. The Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers compose the western border of the
county. Other significant water bodies in the county include Lake Pepin, and the Big, Trimbelle and
Kinnickinnic Rivers.
US Highway (USH) 10 is an east-west highway that enters the county through the Town of Union, and
then crosses through Plum City, Ellsworth and then the unincorporated community of Trimbelle. USH
10 then travels through Prescott and crosses the St. Croix River and into the State of Minnesota. USH 63
is a north-south highway that enters Pierce County from Minnesota and across the Mississippi River. It
then travels north, veers east through Ellsworth, and then north again, crossing through the
unincorporated communities of Lawton and Martell before exiting the county and into St. Croix County.
State Trunk Highway (STH) 35 traverses the county along its far southwest side along the shores of Lake
Pepin and the Wisconsin River through Maiden Rock, Bay City and the unincorporated communities of
Hager City and Diamond Bluff before travelling through the City of Prescott. STH 35 then travels
northeast into the City of River Falls and exits the county into St. Croix County. STH 72 begins at the
intersection of USH 63 and USH 10 in the Town of Ellsworth in the center of the county – from there, it
travels east through the unincorporated community of Waverly, through Elmwood, then continuing east
into Dunn County.
STH 29 begins in northern Prescott and then travels northeast to River Falls concurrent with STH 35. It
then travels east along the county’s northern border until reaching Spring Valley, at which point the
highway veers north into St. Croix County. STH 65 begins in Ellsworth, and travels northwest into River
Falls and continues on into St. Croix County concurrent with STH 35. STH 128 also briefly crosses through
the county’s northeast corner.
There are 1,311 miles of roads in the county, of which 164 (12.5%) are state roads, 249 (19.0%) are
county roads, 893 (68.1%) are local roads, and five miles are of another type.
In 2015, there were 16,528 autos, 3,179 cycles, 4,740 trailers, and 22,038 trucks registered in Pierce
County. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2015 was 390,667,530.
Municipalities
The City of River Falls (only partially in Pierce County) is the only municipality within the county with a
population greater than 10,000. The City of Prescott and the villages of Ellsworth and Spring Valley are
the only other incorporated communities within Pierce County with populations that exceed 1,000.
These four communities comprise of 50.4% of the county’s population.
The other major population centers in Pierce County are the towns of River Falls, Oak Grove and Clifton
– all of these towns have populations exceeding 2,000. Referring back to the first section of this county
profile, Pierce County is one of two Wisconsin counties (the other being St. Croix County) located within
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the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metropolitan Area. The county is also adjacent to Washington, in
which the largest city is Woodbury, and Dakota, in which the largest city is Eagan, Counties in
Minnesota.
The following table includes 2015 population estimates for the municipalities within the county. For
municipalities in multiple counties, the table only includes the population that resides in the county.
Place Name Final Estimate 2015
C River Falls 11,906
C Prescott 4,262
V Ellsworth 3,295
T River Falls 2,295
T Oak Grove 2,176
T Clifton 2,033
T Trenton 1,837
T Trimbelle 1,674
V Spring Valley 1,358
T Martell 1,188
T Ellsworth 1,166
T Gilman 975
T Hartland 847
V Elmwood 817
T El Paso 703
T Maiden Rock 600
T Union 593
V Plum City 586
T Spring Lake 572
T Salem 516
V Bay City 499
T Rock Elm 489
T Diamond bluff 462
T Isabelle 284
V Maiden Rock 118
Total Population 41,251 1
1 U.S. Census, Official Final Estimates, 1/1/2015, Wisconsin Minor Civil Divisions.
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Emergency Medical Services
Pierce County has one level IV trauma center in county lines. This is the River Falls Area Hospital,
located in the City of River Falls.
The nearest level II trauma center in the state is the Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, located 54
miles east of Ellsworth, which is the county seat. The nearest level I adult and pediatric trauma center
to Ellsworth is the Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, which is 40 miles west of Ellsworth (Regions
Hospital happens to be the nearest level I or II trauma center overall to Pierce County). Although it is
across state lines, it is advantageous for Pierce County residents to have relatively easy access to a level I
trauma center 42 minutes away from the county seat. This relative proximity raises the likelihood of
Pierce County residents experiencing the best possible outcomes from crashes.
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There are 185 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Pierce County operating out of 6 different EMS
providers. The largest of these organizations are the River Falls Area Ambulance Service, the Ellsworth
Area Ambulance Service and the Spring Valley Area Ambulance.
Emergency Service Provider Number of EMTs
ELLSWORTH AREA AMBULANCE SERVICE 39
ELMWOOD AREA AMBULANCE SERVICE 13
MAIDEN ROCK-PLUM CITY-STOCKHOLM EMS 12
Pierce County Sheriff's Office TEMS Team 3
RIVER FALLS AREA AMBULANCE SERVICE 85
SPRING VALLEY AREA AMBULANCE 33
TOTAL 185
There are 4.48 EMTs per 1,000 persons in the county, compared to 3.85 EMTs per 1,000 persons
statewide.
Economic Profile
18.5% of the employed population in Pierce County work in manufacturing, 14.9% of employees work in
retail trade, 14.7% in health care and social assistance, 14.6% in accommodation and food services, and
5.5% in construction.2
2 Source: County Business Patterns, 2014
Manufacturing
Retail Trade
Health Care & Social Assistance
Accommodation & Food services
Construction
Others
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Pierce County by Employment Sector, 2014
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Large employers in the area include Local Net (with offices in River Falls and Ellsworth) as well as the
Bergquist Company in Prescott, Brotoloc Health Care Systems and the Ellsworth Care Center in
Ellsworth, Genesis Industries in Elmwood, Genesis Rehabilitation Services in Plum City, Family Fare
Supermarkets, the River Falls School District and Schools food Services in River Falls, the Spring Valley
School District and Valley Vantage Rehab Therapy in Spring Valley and the Thomas & Betts Corporation
in Hager City.3
On average, Pierce County has consistently experienced a lower unemployment rate than the state of
Wisconsin as a whole. On average, it has been 1.0% lower than that of the state for the last decade.
4
3 Major Employers. Wisconsin’s WorkNet. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
4 Unemployment rates, not seasonally adjusted – Bureau of Labor Statistics (please note: all years except 2016 are seasonal. 2016
unemployment rates are an average of January through April 2016).
3.5%
4.5%
5.5%
6.5%
7.5%
8.5%
9.5%
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Unemployment Rate, WI & Pierce County, 2006-2015
Pierce County Wisconsin
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Workers who Reside in Pierce County Work in: People who Work in Pierce County Reside in:
Pierce County 7,812 Pierce County 7,812
St. Croix County 3,875 St. Croix County 1,257
Goodhue County, MN 2,198 Dunn County 330
Washington County, MN 2,148 Dakota County, MN 261
Dakota County, MN 1,953 Ramsey County, MN 237
Ramsey County, MN 1,756 Goodhue County, MN 214
Hennepin County, MN 1,140 Pepin County 203
Dunn County 313 Washington County, MN 183
Eau Claire County 111 Chippewa County 60
Pepin County 111 Hennepin County, MN 55
Rice County, MN 101 Polk County 55
Anoka County, MN 75 Buffalo County 32
Wabasha County, MN 53
Others 544 Others 224 5
Pierce County shares a significant amount of traffic with its northern neighbor St. Croix County, as well
as numerous other Minnesota counties within the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metropolitan Area.
St. Croix County is readily accessible from Pierce County – USH 63 will bear the bulk of the traffic
between eastern Pierce County and St. Croix County. STHs 35 and 65 will likely bear the bulk of the
traffic between western Pierce County and St. Croix County.
USH 10 will carry a significant amount of traffic from Pierce County and into Minnesota, particularly
since STHs 29 and 35 also filter into Prescott. USH 63 will also bear an amount of traffic into Minnesota
from Pierce County’s southern border.
5 U.S. Census Bureau. 2009-2013 5-Year American Community Survey. County to County Commuting Flows for the United States and Puerto
Rico.
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In 2013-2014, there were 120 licensed liquor establishments in the county. The following is a table of
license type by municipality. Establishments within a municipality but outside the county are not
included in the table.
Bay
Cit
y
Ells
wo
rth
Elm
wo
od
Mai
den
Ro
ck
Plu
m C
ity
Pre
sco
tt
Riv
er F
alls
Spri
ng
Val
ley
Tow
ns
Tota
l (B
y Li
q. L
icen
se)
Class A beer (off-sale) AB 4 1 2 1 1 9
Class A liquor or Class A beer/Class A liquor (off-sale)
AL or ALB
1 4 1 1 5 4 1 3 20
Class B beer only (on/off sales) BB 1 1 2 3 1 8
Class B beer (on/off sales) and Class C wine
BB & CW
2 1 1 1 5
Class B liquor or Class B beer and Class B liquor
BL or BLB
3 8 3 2 3 9 16 4 29 77
others others 1 1
Total (By Municipalities) 4 17 4 4 5 18 26 6 36 120
CODE DESCRIPTION
AB Beer for sale off-site (convenience stores, grocery stores)
AL Liquor for sale off-site (drug stores, wineries)
ALB Beer, wine, or liquor for sale off site
BB Beer for sale on-site
BL Liquor for sale on-site (winery)
BLB Beer or liquor for sale on-site (bars, supper clubs)
CW Wine for sale on-site (restaurants) (usually in conjunction with BB)
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Population Change
Between April 2010 and January 2015, the Wisconsin Demographic Services Center estimates that the
county has experienced 1,929 births and 1,071 deaths. There have been more births than deaths, but
there has also been a net emigration of 626 from the county during this time period as well. Overall,
Pierce County saw its population increase by 232 people, or 0.6% in this time period. This happens to be
0.6% less than the state of Wisconsin as a whole – however, the natural increase in population in the
county was 0.2% higher than the state as a whole.
As further evidence to Pierce County’s relative youth, the American Community Survey projects that the
median age of Pierce County is 35.3 years old as of 2014, which is noticeably lower than the statewide
median age of 38.8 years old. The ACS also estimated in 2014 that 11.5% of Pierce County residents
were aged 65 or greater, which is 2.9% higher than the Wisconsin average of 14.4%.6 A relatively
youthful population is less vulnerable to significant injuries in vehicle crashes at all speeds. This means
that Pierce County’s population is somewhat more likely to be more resilient to dangerous traffic
incidents than the state as a whole.
6 American Community Survey 5 year estimates, years 2010-2014
7.5%
16.7%
6.7%
4.2%
64.2%
0.8%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0%
AB
AL or ALB
BB
BB & CW
BL or BLB
others
Liquor Licenses in Pierce County, 2013-2014
8.4%
16.1%
6.1%
3.6%
64.6%
1.2%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0%
AB
AL or ALB
BB
BB & CW
BL or BLB
others
Liquor Licenses in Wisconsin, 2013-2014
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Financial Impacts of Crashes (2010-2014)
In this county during the years 2010-2014, there were on average $42,056,332.60 in total costs,
including estimated medical costs, estimated other costs, and estimated quality of life costs annually.
An estimated 295.6 years of life were lost as a result of crashes annually. Crashes in which alcohol or
drugs were a contributing factor resulted in $15,262,195.80 in total costs and 132.4 years of life
annually.7
7 University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Health Systems Research & Analysis, Wisconsin CODES Project: Wisconsin CODES Report Builder
Custom Reporting System accessed on 10/20/2016
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Pierce County 34.2 34.5 34.6 34.9 35.3
Wisconsin 38.1 38.3 38.5 38.7 38.8
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
37.5
38.5
39.5
Median Age, Pierce County v. Wisconsin, 2010-2014
Pierce County Wisconsin
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Pierce County 10.1% 10.3% 10.6% 11.1% 11.5%
Wisconsin 13.4% 13.5% 13.7% 14.1% 14.4%
9.0%
10.0%
11.0%
12.0%
13.0%
14.0%
15.0%
% of Population over 65 yo, Pierce County v. WI, 2010-2014
Pierce County Wisconsin
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Crash Statistics
Crashes in Pierce County by Type, 2011-2015 Averages
Average
Total Fatal
Crashes
Average
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Average
Alcohol or
Drug-
Related
Fatal
Crashes
Average
Alcohol or
Drug
Related
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Average
Speed
Related
Fatal
Crashes
Average
Speed
Related
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Average
Inattention-
Related Fatal
Crashes
Average
Inattention-
Related Non-
Fatal Injury
Crashes
5.8 124.2 3.0 15.2 1.4 22.8 1.4 32.0
Pierce
County
% of
crashes
that were
fatal
1.2%
% of
alcohol
or drug
related
fatal
crashes
to all
fatal
crashes
51.7%
% of
speed
related
fatal
crashes
to all
fatal
crashes
24.1%
% of
inattention
related
fatal
crashes to
all fatal
crashes
24.1%
Wisconsin
% of
crashes
that were
fatal
0.4%
% of
alcohol
or drug
related
fatal
crashes
to all
fatal
crashes
48.5%
% of
speed
related
fatal
crashes
to all
fatal
crashes
28.2%
% of
inattention
related
fatal
crashes to
all fatal
crashes
18.1%
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Location of Crashes in Pierce County by Road Type, 2011-2015
Total
Fatal
Crashes
Total
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Alcohol
or Drug-
Related
Fatal
Crashes
Alcohol
or Drug
Related
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Speed
Related
Fatal
Crashes
Speed
Related
Non-
Fatal
Injury
Crashes
Inattention
-Related
Fatal
Crashes
Inattention
- Related
Non-Fatal
Injury
Crashes
US/State
Highways 55.2% 47.5% 53.3% 43.4% 14.3% 33.3% 71.4% 53.8%
County
Highways 20.7% 21.4% 20.0% 17.1% 57.1% 30.7% 14.3% 15.0%
Local
Roads 24.1% 31.1% 26.7% 39.5% 28.6% 36.0% 14.3% 31.3%
Driver Possible Contributing Circumstances for All Crashes in Pierce County, 2011-2015
20%
7%
11%
17%
23%
23%
OTHER CATAGORIES
DRIVER CONDITION
FAIL YIELD R-O-WAY
SPEED TOO FAST/COND
FAILURE TO CONTROL
INATTENTIVE DRIVING
Driver Possible Contributing Circumstances for All Crashes in Pierce
County, 2011-2015
20%
5%
9%
12%
16%
17%
21%
OTHER CATAGORIES
DRIVER CONDITION
FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE
SPEED TOO FAST/COND
FAIL YIELD R-O-WAY
FAILURE TO CONTROL
INATTENTIVE DRIVING
Driver Possible Contributing Circumstances for All Crashes in State
of Wisconsin, 2011-2015
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Fatalities and Incapacitating “A” Injuries by Age and Gender
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Age, 2011-2015
KILLED A-INJURY
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Age, State of
Wisconsin 2011-2015
KILLED A-INJURY
Male63%
Female37%
Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Gender, 2011-2015
Male59%
Female41%
Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Gender, State of
Wisconsin 2011-2015
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Fatalities and Incapacitating “A” Injuries by State and Place of Residence
*Local is defined as persons with addresses that have ZIP codes fully or partially within Pierce County.
Safety Equipment Usage in Passenger Cars and Light Trucks during Crashes, 2011-2015
Belted Unbelted
Fatalities and "A" Injuries 67.0% 33.0%
Other, 2%
WI, 63%
MN, 34%
MI, 1%
Fatalities and Incapacitating "A" Injuries by State of Residence, 2011-2015
Local*, 49.7%
Non-Local, 50.3%
Fatalities and Incapacitating "A" Injuries by Place of Residence, 2011-2015
79.0%79.9%
82.4%
84.7%85.8%
88.4%
74.0%
76.0%
78.0%
80.0%
82.0%
84.0%
86.0%
88.0%
90.0%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Statewide Safety Belt Use Rate
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2014-2017 Grant Participation
Alcohol Occupant Protection Speed
2014
Ellsworth Police Dept. $7K Grant, 99.5% liq.
Prescott Police Dept. $13.3K Grant, 33.9% liq.
Spring Valley Police Dept. $4K Grant, 100% liq.
2015
2016
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted
Ellsworth Police Dept. Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted
Elmwood Police Dept. Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted
Prescott Police Dept. Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted
River Falls Police Dept. Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted
Spring Valley Police Dept. Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted
UW-River Falls Police Dept. Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted Was Not Targeted
2017
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Not Targeted Not Targeted Not Targeted
Ellsworth Police Dept. Not Targeted Not Targeted Not Targeted
Elmwood Police Dept. Not Targeted Not Targeted Not Targeted
Prescott Police Dept. Not Targeted Not Targeted Not Targeted
River Falls Police Dept. Not Targeted Not Targeted Not Targeted
Spring Valley Police Dept. Not Targeted Not Targeted Not Targeted
UW-River Falls Police Dept. Not Targeted Not Targeted Not Targeted
Agency Mobilizations 2014-2015
2014 Alcohol
Crackdown
2014 Booze
and Belts
2014
CIOT
2015
Drive
Sober
2015
Booze and
Belts
2015
CIOT
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Yes Yes Yes
Ellsworth Police Dept. Yes Yes Yes
Elmwood Police Dept. Yes
Prescott Police Dept.
River Falls Police Dept. Yes Yes Yes
Spring Valley Police Dept. Yes Yes Yes Yes
UW-River Falls Police Dept.
The Wisconsin State Patrol participates in all three mobilizations each year. Law enforcement agencies
in Pierce County should participate for the chance to win an equipment grant.
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TraCS Participation
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office TraCS 10
Ellsworth Police Dept. TraCS 10
Elmwood Police Dept. TraCS 10
Prescott Police Dept. TraCS 10
River Falls Police Dept. TraCS 10
Spring Valley Police Dept. TraCS 10
UW-River Falls Police Dept. No
Agencies Reporting Fatal Crashes and Crashes with Incapacitating “A” Injuries, 2011-2015
ELLSWORTH POLICE DEPARTMENT 4
PIERCE COUNTY SHERIFF 124
PRESCOTT POLICE DEPARTMENT 6
RIVER FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT 12
SPRING VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT 2
WISCONSIN STATE PATROL 9
TOTAL 157
These agencies could work together to coordinate their enforcement to arrive at a strategy to prevent
serious crashes from occurring.
Contact Information
RPM Beth Heflin (608) 598-9669
SPM Theresa Nelson (608) 709-0062