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Port Washington, WI

Frequently asked questions

Port Washington, WI

Port Washington is the county seat of Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. Located on Lake Michigan's western shore east of Interstate 43, the community is a suburb in the Milwaukee metropolitan area 27 miles (43 km) north of Milwaukee. The city's artificial harbor at the mouth of Sauk Creek was dredged in the 1870s and was a commercial port until the early 2000s. The population was 12,353 at the 2020 census.

When French explorers arrived in the area in the 17th century, they found a Native American village at the mouth of Sauk Creek—the present location of historic downtown Port Washington. The United States Federal Government forcibly expelled the Native Americans in the 1830s, and the first settlers arrived in 1835, calling their settlement "Wisconsin City" before renaming it "Port Washington" in honor of President George Washington. In the late 1840s and early 1850s, the community was a candidate to be the Washington County seat. Disagreements between municipalities and election fraud prevented Washington County from having a permanent seat of government until the Wisconsin State Legislature intervened, creating Ozaukee County out of the eastern third of Washington County and making Port Washington the seat of the new county.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.08 square miles (18.34 km²), of which 5.82 square miles (15.07 km²) is land and 1.26 square miles (3.26 km²) is water. The city is bordered by the Town of Port Washington to the north and west, the Town of Grafton to the south, and Lake Michigan to the east.

The city is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan. In the northern and southern parts of the city, the coastline is characterized by clay bluffs ranging from 80 feet (24 meters) to 130 feet (40 meters) in height with deep ravines where streams flow into the lake. Clay bluffs are a geological formation characteristic of the Lake Michigan shoreline, and are found in few other areas of the world. Much of the coastline adjacent to the bluffs has mixed gravel and sand beaches. Port Washington's historic downtown in the central part of the city is in the Sauk Creek valley, at a lower elevation than the rest of the city. The valley is a break in the bluffs, providing easy access to the lakeshore, which attracted early settlers to the area. Port Washington's artificial harbor, dredged in 1871 with subsequently constructed breakwaters, is located at the mouth of Sauk Creek, adjacent to downtown.

The city is located in the Southeastern Wisconsin glacial till plains that were created by the Wisconsin glaciation during the most recent ice age. The soil is clayey glacial till with a thin layer of loess on the surface. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources considers the city to be in the Central Lake Michigan Coastal ecological landscape.

Health and wellness are paramount in Port Washington, 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 Port Washington 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 StarrFit, Port Fitness, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Port Washington, such as the Ozaukee Interurban Trail and Coal Dock. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top Sites in Port Washington, WI are the Port Washington Historical Society 1860 Light Station, Possibility Playground, and Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve.

Population: 12,753 (2022). ZIP Code: 53074. Area code(s): 262. Area: 7.94 square miles. Elevation: 633 feet.

FAQs

What is Port Washington, WI famous for?

The City is known for offering “a touch of New England charm combined with Midwestern friendliness” and has been named by Midwest Living to their Top 100 Best Midwest Small Town Getaways. Port Washington, today, is a tourist destination with a vibrant downtown and community events. Port Washington’s population of 12,853 resides within seven square miles with four miles of waterfront.

Why is it called Port Washington, WI?

The United States Federal Government forcibly expelled the Native Americans in the 1830s, and the first settlers arrived in 1835, calling their settlement "Wisconsin City" before renaming it "Port Washington" in honor of President George Washington. In the late 1840s and early 1850s, the community was a candidate to be the Washington County seat. Disagreements between municipalities and election fraud prevented Washington County from having a permanent seat of government until the Wisconsin State Legislature intervened, creating Ozaukee County out of the eastern third of Washington County and making Port Washington the seat of the new county.

Is Port Washington, WI expensive?

Port Washington, Wisconsin's cost of living is 2% lower than the national average. Port Washington's housing expenses are 7% lower than the national average and the utility prices are 8% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 7% lower than the national average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Port Washington

Aurora Health Center

Port Washington Parks and Recreation Department 

StarrFit

Port Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Ozaukee Interurban Trail 

Coal Dock. 

Port Washington Historical Society 1860 Light Station

Possibility Playground 

Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve

Payscale

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.