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Germantown, WI

Frequently asked questions

Germantown, WI

Germantown is a village in Washington County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 20,917 at the 2020 census. The village surrounds the Town of Germantown. In July 2007, Germantown was ranked the 30th most appealing place to live in the United States by Money Magazine.

Germantown is located at 43°13′23″N 88°7′13″W (43.223206, −88.120433). According to Wisconsin First Nations (a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction resource), Germantown is located on Potawatomi treaty land. The village also falls within the lands of the Peoria, Menominee, Miami, and Sioux Indigenous peoples, as shown by the Canadian not-for-profit organization Native Land Digital. The United States Census Bureau indicates Germantown has a total area of 34.45 square miles (89.23 km²), of which, 34.42 square miles (89.15 km²) of it is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²) is water

The land that became Germantown was originally inhabited by members of the Potawatomi tribe. The Potawatomi surrendered the land that became Germantown to the United States Federal Government in 1833 through the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, which (after being ratified in 1835) required them to leave Wisconsin by 1838. While many Native people moved west of the Mississippi River to Kansas, some chose to remain or return after temporarily settling in the west and were referred to as "strolling Potawatomi" in contemporary documents because many of them were migrants who subsisted by squatting on their ancestral lands, which were now owned by White settlers. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Potawatomi who evaded forced removal gathered in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where many worked in the timber industry and formed the Forest County Potawatomi Community.

The community was originally designated as the Wisconsin Territory's "Town Nine," making it the oldest settlement in Washington County. Beginning in the 1840s, many German immigrants—particularly from the regions of Bavaria, Hessen, Rheinland, Pommern, and Prussia—settled in the area, which led to it being named "Germantown".

The territorial legislature created the Town of Germantown on January 21, 1846, and the first town meeting was on April 7 of the same year. The town included the then-unincorporated communities of Dheinsville, Goldenthal, Kuhberg (later known as Victory Center), Meeker Hill, Rockfield, South Germantown, and Willow Creek.

Health and wellness are paramount in Germantown, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Aurora Health Center is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Germantown Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Health & Fitness Germantown, Starting Point Fitness, and Germantown Athletic Club. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Germantown, such as the Brown Trail and Schoen Laufren Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Germantown, WI, are Ozaukee Interurban Trail, Menomonee Falls Historical Society at Old Falls Village, and Germantown Historical Society.

Population: 21,032 (2024). ZIP code: 53022. Area code: 262. Elevation: 886 feet (270 m). Area: 34.40 sq mi (89.09 km²).

FAQs

Is Germantown, WI a suburb of Milwaukee?

Germantown is a suburb of Milwaukee with a population of 20,917. Germantown is in Washington County and is one of the best places to live in Wisconsin. Living in Germantown offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes.

Why is it called Germantown, WI?

Beginning in the 1840s, many German immigrants—particularly from the region of Hesse—settled in the area, which led to it being named "Germantown." The territorial legislature created the Town of Germantown on January 21, 1846, and the first town meeting was on April 7 of the same year. The town included the then-unincorporated communities of Dheinsville, Goldenthal, Kuhberg (later known as Victory Center), Meeker Hill, Rockfield, South Germantown, and Willow Creek.

What is the history of Germantown, WI?

Germantown was formed by incorporating seven separate hamlets (or towns) into the Village of Germantown as we know it today. Germantown got its start as “Town 9” in Washington County, Wisconsin Territory in 1836. Germantown was officially incorporated in 1924 and remained a small farming community until 1963 when Milwaukee County annexed a small piece of land from Washington County to build a landfill.

Sources

Wikipedia 

Village of Germantown

Aurora Health Center 

Germantown Parks and Recreation Department 

Health & Fitness Germantown

Starting Point Fitness 

Germantown Athletic Club

Brown Trail 

Schoen Laufren Park

Ozaukee Interurban Trail

Menomonee Falls Historical Society at Old Falls Village

Germantown Historical Society

Niche

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