Kenosha County is a
countyIn the United States, a county is a local level of government below the state . Counties are used in 48 of the 50 states, while Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. These are considered "county-equivalents", as are some cities not designated as part of a county. The U.S...
located along the West Shore of
Lake MichiganLake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. The second largest of the Great Lakes by volume The third largest of the Great Lakes by surface area , it is bounded, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin,...
in the far southeastern corner
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
of
WisconsinWisconsin is one of the fifty U.S. states. Located in the north-central United States, Wisconsin is considered part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the...
. Its
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
is
KenoshaKenosha is a city in and the county seat of Kenosha County, United States. The city motto is "Great Town - Great People - Great Lake". With an estimated 2006 population of 96,240, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. The city lies on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, south of...
.
Its estimated 2008 population was 164,465. Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, the county was tied in fifth place for growth between July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007, with a 1% population gain, approximately twice the statewide growth average of 0.5%.
Kenosha County has traditionally attracted newcomers from suburban Chicago and in March 2008 the demographers of the
Wisconsin Department of AdministrationThe Wisconsin Department of Administration provides the governor with information for preparing the state's budget and analyzing solutions to other fiscal problems. The Department has an office in Washington D.C. Michael Morgan is the Secretary of Administration- References :* - External links :*...
reported that Kenosha County's improvements in roads, business's need for personnel and quality-of-life factors have contributed to a decades-long influx of Illinois transplants.
Kenosha County is a
countyIn the United States, a county is a local level of government below the state . Counties are used in 48 of the 50 states, while Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. These are considered "county-equivalents", as are some cities not designated as part of a county. The U.S...
located along the West Shore of
Lake MichiganLake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. The second largest of the Great Lakes by volume The third largest of the Great Lakes by surface area , it is bounded, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin,...
in the far southeastern corner
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
of
WisconsinWisconsin is one of the fifty U.S. states. Located in the north-central United States, Wisconsin is considered part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the...
. Its
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
is
KenoshaKenosha is a city in and the county seat of Kenosha County, United States. The city motto is "Great Town - Great People - Great Lake". With an estimated 2006 population of 96,240, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. The city lies on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, south of...
.
Its estimated 2008 population was 164,465. Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, the county was tied in fifth place for growth between July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007, with a 1% population gain, approximately twice the statewide growth average of 0.5%.
Kenosha County has traditionally attracted newcomers from suburban Chicago and in March 2008 the demographers of the
Wisconsin Department of AdministrationThe Wisconsin Department of Administration provides the governor with information for preparing the state's budget and analyzing solutions to other fiscal problems. The Department has an office in Washington D.C. Michael Morgan is the Secretary of Administration- References :* - External links :*...
reported that Kenosha County's improvements in roads, business's need for personnel and quality-of-life factors have contributed to a decades-long influx of Illinois transplants. For 2006-2007, Kenosha County had a net gain of 424 new residents. Even though Kenosha County is in Wisconsin, it is considered by the U.S. Census Bureau to be a part of the Chicago Metropolitan Area, in
IllinoisIllinois , the 21st state admitted to the United States of America, is the most populous and demographically diverse Midwestern state and the fifth most populous state in the nation...
.
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the county has a total area of 754 square miles (1,954 km²), of which, 273 square miles (707 km²) of it is land and 481 square miles (1,247 km²) of it (63.83%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 94Interstate 94 is the northernmost east-west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. Its western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
U.S. Highway 41 (Skokie Highway)
U.S. Highway 45
Highway 31 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 31 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs north-south as a suburban route passing Racine and Kenosha. With the exception of a two mile stretch between Four Mile Road and Wisconsin Highway 32 at the north end, WIS 31 is a multi-lane urban highway...
Highway 32 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 32 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin that runs north-south in eastern Wisconsin. It runs from the Illinois border north to the Michigan border . It is named the 32
nd Division Memorial Highway after the U.S...
Highway 50 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 50 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east-west in southeast Wisconsin from Kenosha to Delavan generally as a 4-lane divided highway....
Highway 75 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 75 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs north-south in southeast Wisconsin from Waterford to Paddock Lake.-Route Description:...
Highway 83 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 83 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs north-south in southeast Wisconsin from Hartford to the Illinois border near Salem....
Highway 158 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 158 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east-west as a suburban-to-urban route, connecting I-94 with downtown Kenosha....
Highway 165 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 165 is a highway in far southeastern Wisconsin connecting Pleasant Prairie, south of Kenosha, with Interstate 94/U.S. Route 41. The route continues west of I-94/US 41 as Kenosha CTH Q until it ends at US 45 near Pikeville...
Highway 142 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 142 is a mostly rural highway connecting Burlington with Kenosha....
>
Adjacent counties
- Racine County (north)
- Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. The second largest of the Great Lakes by volume The third largest of the Great Lakes by surface area , it is bounded, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin,...
(east)
- Lake County, Illinois
Lake County is the farthest north-east county in the U.S. state of Illinois. A 2006 census estimated the population was 713,076. Its county seat is Waukegan, Illinois. According to the 2000 United States Census, Lake County is the 31st richest county by per-capita income. The county is part of...
(southeast)
- McHenry County, Illinois
McHenry County is located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of 2000, the population was 260,077. As of 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be 318,641. Its county seat is Woodstock, Illinois. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the sixth largest county,...
(southwest)
- Walworth County
Walworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 93,759. Its county seat is Elkhorn.-Geography:According to the U.S...
(west)
Demographics
As of the
censusA "census" is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 149,577 people, 56,057 households, and 38,455 families residing in the county. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 548 people per square mile (212/km²). There were 59,989 housing units at an average density of 220 per square mile (85/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.38%
WhiteRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 5.08%
BlackRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
African AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.38%
Native AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.92%
AsianRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.04%
Pacific IslanderRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.29% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.91% from two or more races. 7.19% of the population were
HispanicRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
LatinoRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 28.8% were of German, 10.4%
ItalianThe Italian people are an ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common Italian culture, descent, and speaking the Italian language as a mother tongue...
, 7.9%
IrishThe Irish people are a Western European ethnic group who originate in Ireland, in north western Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolgs, Tuatha Dé Danann and the Milesians The Irish...
and 7.6% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 56,057 households out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged by a variety of ways, depending on the culture or demographic...
living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 20.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.
Government
- County Executive
A county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position. When elected, he/she typically functions either as a voting member of the elected county government, or may have...
: Jim Kreuser
- District Attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is the appointed public official who represents the government in the prosecution of alleged offense criminals. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
: Robert Zapf (D)
- Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
: David Beth (R)
The county legislature is known as the Board of Supervisors. It consists of 28 members each elected from single member districts. The county executive is elected in a countywide vote.
In 2008, County Executive Allan Kehl admitted to accepting bribes from local businessman Dennis Troha. Kehl was sentenced to serve two years in prison. His scheduled release date from the Duluth Federal Prison Camp is August 7, 2010.
Villages
- Genoa City
Genoa City is a village located in Kenosha, and Walworth Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, 43 miles south-southwest of Milwaukee. The population was 1,949 at the 2000 census....
(partially)
- Paddock Lake
Paddock Lake is a village in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,012 at the 2000 census.-Education:Paddock Lake is the home of the regional high school, Westosha Central High School.-Geography:...
- Pleasant Prairie
Pleasant Prairie is a village in Kenosha County, Wisconsin located between Milwaukee and Chicago. The population was 16,136 at the 2000 census. The neighborhoods of Carol Beach, Dexter's Corner, Ranney, and Tobin are located within the village.-Geography:...
- Silver Lake
Silver Lake is a village in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,341 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Silver Lake is located at ....
- Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes is a village in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,124 at the 2000 census.Lake Elizabeth and Lake Mary are the twin lakes.-Geography:Twin Lakes is located at ....
Towns
- Brighton
Brighton is a town in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,450 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Klondike is located within the town.-Geography:...
- Bristol
Bristol is a town in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,538 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Pikeville, and Woodworth are in the town.-Economy:...
- Paris
Paris is a town in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,473 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Paris Corners is located within the town.-Geography:...
- Randall
Randall is a town in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,929 at the 2000 census.-Places:The unincorporated communities of Bassett and Powers Lake as well as the village of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin are located in Randall.-Geography:...
- Salem
Salem is a town in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,871 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Benet Lake, Salem Oaks, Trevor, Voltz Lake, and Wilmot are located in the town...
- Somers
Somers is a town in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,059 at the 2000 census. The University of Wisconsin–Parkside is located in the town....
- Wheatland
Wheatland is a town in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,292 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Slades Corners is in the town....
Unincorporated communities
- Bassett
Bassett is a small unincorporated community in the Town of Randall, in southwestern Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The Randall Town Hall is in the village.-History:...
- Benet Lake
Benet Lake is an unincorporated community located, in the town of Salem, in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. Benet Lake is located on Wisconsin Highway 83 north of Antioch, Illinois. Benet Lake has a post office with ZIP code 53102....
- Berryville
- Bissell
Bissell is an unincorporated community in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States, in the southeastern part of the state.Bissell is located at the intersection of Kenosha County Highways C and MB in the town of Bristol, just south of the village of Woodworth. A feed, flour and coal business was a...
- Camp Lake
Camp Lake is a census-designated place in Salem, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,255 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Camp Lake is located at ....
- Central Park
Central Park is an unincorporated residential and business community within the town of Somers in eastern Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States, located at Sheridan Road at Twelfth Street...
- Chapin
Chapin is a small residential and agricultural unincorporated community in the town of Paris, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. It is centere at Highway 142 near what is currently Kenosha County Highway MB...
- Erly
- Kellogg's Corners
Kellogg's Corners is an unincorporated residential and agricultural community located in the town of Somers in northeastern Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. It lies at the junction of Interstate 94/U.S...
- Klondike
Klondike is an unincorporated residential and agricultural community in the town of Brighton, in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. Klondike was first settled in the 19th Century and was formerly known as Klondike Corner. Klondike is centered at Highway 75 and 52nd Street...
- Lake Shangrila
Lake Shangrila is a census-designated place in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 805 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lake Shangrila is located at ....
- Liberty Corners
Liberty Corners is a small unincorporated community within the town of Salem in south-central Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. It is centered at the intersection of Highway 83 and Wilmot Road . The brick Tudor-styled Liberty Corners School was built in 1932, replacing a 19th Century frame...
- Mud Lake
- New Munster
New Munster is an unincorporated community in the Town of Wheatland in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States.- External links :* in the Dictionary of Wisconsin History...
- Paris Corners
Paris Corners is a small unincorporated community in north-central Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States, located at U.S. Route 45 and Wisconsin Highway 142 in the town of Paris. The name was chosen by 19th Century settler Seth Butler Myrick in honor of his birthplace in Oneida County, New York....
- Peat Lake
- Pikeville
Pikeville is an unincorporated residential and agricultural community in the town of Bristol in south-central Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. Pikeville was named for three brothers surnamed Pike, and was settled around the one-room Pikeville School in the 19th Century. It is centered...
- Powers Lake
Powers Lake is a census-designated place in Kenosha and Walworth Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 1,500.-Geography:...
- Salem Oaks
Salem Oaks is a newer unincorporated residential community centered at 84th Street and 235th Avenue just south of the village of Paddock Lake in the town of Salem in south-central Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States, adjoining Montgomery Lake and Hooker Lake.-External links:***...
- Trevor
Trevor is an unincorporated community located, in the town of Salem, in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. Trevor is south of Paddock Lake. Trevor has a post office with ZIP code 53179....
- Voltz Lake
Voltz Lake is an unincorporated residential and resort community within the town of Salem in south-central Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The body of water, Voltz Lake, is located at .-External links:*...
- Wilmot
Wilmot is a small, unincorporated residential and business community in the town of Salem in southwestern Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States....
- Woodworth
Woodworth is a small unincorporated community in southeastern Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States, and is located on Kenosha County Highway MB at 82nd Street in the town of Bristol. The Kenosha and Rockford Railroad brought prosperity and activity to Woodworth, and a U.S. post office is...
External links