Portage County, Wisconsin

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Portage County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 70,377. The county seat is Stevens Point. The county was created in 1836 and organized in 1844.

Geography

Portage County is situated in the central part of Wisconsin. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 823 square miles (2,130 km²), of which 801 square miles (2,070 km²) is land and 22 square miles (57 km²) (2.7%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Marathon County - north
• Shawano County - northeast
• Waupaca County - east
• Waushara County - south
• Adams County - southwest
• Wood County - west

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 70,377 people, 28,205 households, and 17,501 families residing in the county. The population density was 87.8 inhabitants per square mile (33.9/km²). There were 30,601 housing units at an average density of 38.2 per square mile (14.7/km²).

Communities

Cities

• Stevens Point

Villages

• Almond
• Amherst
• Amherst Junction
• Junction City
• Milladore (partly in Wood County)
• Nelsonville
• Park Ridge
• Plover
• Rosholt
• Whiting

Towns

• Alban
• Almond
• Amherst
• Belmont
• Buena Vista
• Carson
• Dewey
• Eau Pleine
• Grant
• Hull
• Lanark
• Linwood
• New Hope
• Pine Grove
• Plover
• Sharon
• Stockton

Census-designated places

• Bancroft
• Blenker
• Custer
• Ellis
• Heffron
• Polonia

Unincorporated communities

• Arnott
• Bancroft
• Blenker
• Custer
• Ellis
• Heffron
• Polonia

Education

Portage County is served by several school districts, including the Stevens Point Area Public School District, Amherst School District, and Rosholt School District. Higher education institutions include the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.

Transportation

Major highways in Portage County include Interstate 39, U.S. Route 10, U.S. Route 51, and Wisconsin Highway 54. The county is also served by the Central Wisconsin Airport located in nearby Mosinee.

Parks and Recreation

Portage County offers numerous parks and recreational areas, including the Green Circle Trail, a 27-mile hiking and biking trail that encircles Stevens Point. Other notable parks include Iverson Park, Standing Rocks County Park, and Jordan Park.

Related Pages

• Stevens Point, Wisconsin
• University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
• Central Wisconsin Airport
• Green Circle Trail