Washington County, Wisconsin

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Washington County, Wisconsin is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 136,761. The county seat is West Bend. The county was created in 1836 and organized in 1845.

Geography

Washington County is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 square miles (1,130 km²), of which 431 square miles (1,120 km²) is land and 5.3 square miles (14 km²) (1.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Fond du Lac County - northwest
• Sheboygan County - northeast
• Ozaukee County - east
• Milwaukee County - southeast
• Waukesha County - south
• Dodge County - west

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 136,761 people, 52,000 households, and 37,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 317 people per square mile (122/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.5% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 3.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Communities

Cities

• Hartford (partly in Dodge County)
• West Bend

Villages

• Germantown
• Jackson
• Kewaskum (partly in Fond du Lac County)
• Newburg (partly in Ozaukee County)
• Richfield
• Slinger

Towns

• Addison
• Barton
• Erin
• Farmington
• Germantown
• Hartford
• Jackson
• Kewaskum
• Polk
• Trenton
• Wayne
• West Bend

Census-designated places

• Allenton
• Colgate (partly in Waukesha County)
• Hubertus
• St. Lawrence

Unincorporated communities

• Aurora
• Cedar Creek
• Fillmore
• Kirchhayn
• Myra
• Nenno
• St. Anthony
• St. Augustine

Education

Washington County is served by several school districts, including the West Bend School District, the Hartford Union High School District, and the Germantown School District. Higher education institutions include University of Wisconsin–Washington County and Moraine Park Technical College.

Transportation

Major highways in Washington County include Interstate 41, U.S. Route 45, Wisconsin Highway 33, and Wisconsin Highway 60. The county is also served by the West Bend Municipal Airport.

Parks and Recreation

Washington County offers numerous parks and recreational opportunities, including Kettle Moraine State Forest, Lac Lawrann Conservancy, and Regner Park. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail also passes through the county.

Notable People

• Carl Schurz, a German revolutionary, American statesman, and reformer, lived in Washington County.
• John McCarty, a former Wisconsin State Assembly member, was born in Washington County.

See also

• List of counties in Wisconsin
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Wisconsin