Port Washington, Wisconsin
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Port Washington is a city in and the county seat of Ozaukee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is about 25 miles north of Milwaukee and some 110 miles north of Chicago. In the 2000 census Port Washington had a population of 10,467 people. The ZIP Code is 53074.
The city is located within the Town of Port Washington, though it is politically independent.
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History
The area that became Port Washington was explored by French explorers in the late 17th century. In 1835, Wooster Harrison became the town's first permanent settler, in what was originally named Wisconsin City. The name was changed to Sauk Washington about 1843 and was incoporated with its present name in 1882.
With a natural harbor at the mouth of Sauk Creek, the city became a port on Lake Michigan, shipping and receiving various goods and materials. Of notable maritime commerce was the Port Washington power plant. The coal-fired plant received shipments of coal primarily by lake boat from its beginning of service in 1935 until 2004 when the coal-fired furnaces were taken out of service. The plant is now being converted to generate electricity from natural gas. The conclusion of the receipt of coal also signalled the conclusion of Port Washington as a commercial port. The harbor is now utilized almost exclusively by recreational boaters.
Industries included fishing and manufacture of chairs and school equipment.
From 1910 through 1935 Port Washington was the home of Paramount Records and other associated record labels.
In 1940 the population was 4,046; in 1950 4,754.
Geography
WIMap-doton-Port_Washington.png
Location of Port Washington, Wisconsin
The city is located at the mouth of the Sauk Creek on Lake Michigan, and includes the 63 acre (250,000 m²) Lake Bluff Park. Its average elevation above sea level is 612 feet (187 m).
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 10,467 people, 4,071 households, and 2,756 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,049.7/km² (2,721.5/mi²). There are 4,252 housing units at an average density of 426.4/km² (1,105.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 96.97% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.47% Asian, 0.37% Native American, 0% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.61% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,071 households out of which 34.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% are married couples living together, 7.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% are non-families. 26.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 3.04.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $53,827, and the median income for a family is $62,215. Males have a median income of $42,266 versus $26,532 for females. The per capita income for the city is $24,862. 4.2% of the population and 2.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.4% of those under the age of 18 and 6.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Official website (http://www.ci.port-washington.wi.us/)
- Port Washington Historical Society (http://www.portwashingtonhistoricalsociety.org/)
- Port Washington on city-data.com (http://www.city-data.com/city/Port-Washington-Wisconsin.html)