Dodge County, Wisconsin

Dodge County, Wisconsin is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, bordered by Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin to the north, Washington County, Wisconsin to the southeast, Waukesha County, Wisconsin to the south, Jefferson County, Wisconsin to the southwest, and Columbia County, Wisconsin to the west. The county seat is Juneau, Wisconsin, and the largest city is Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, which is home to Moraine Park Technical College and Wayland Academy. The county is part of the Madison, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area and is situated near Lake Michigan and the Rock River (Wisconsin). The area is also close to the Horicon Marsh, a Wetland of International Importance designated by the Ramsar Convention.

Geography

Dodge County, Wisconsin is located in the southeastern part of the state, covering an area of 907 square miles, with 876 square miles of land and 31 square miles of water. The county is bordered by several other counties, including Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin to the north, Washington County, Wisconsin to the southeast, Waukesha County, Wisconsin to the south, Jefferson County, Wisconsin to the southwest, and Columbia County, Wisconsin to the west. The county is situated near several major waterways, including the Rock River (Wisconsin), which flows through the city of Watertown, Wisconsin and the Horicon Marsh, a Wetland of International Importance designated by the Ramsar Convention. The county is also home to several parks and nature reserves, including the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge and the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

History

The area that is now Dodge County, Wisconsin was originally inhabited by the Ho-Chunk and Menominee Native American tribes, who were later displaced by European-American settlers. The county was founded in 1836 and was named after Henry Dodge, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin who served from 1848 to 1857. During the American Civil War, the county was a major supplier of agricultural products to the Union Army, with many of its farmers producing wheat, corn, and oats for the war effort. The county was also home to several notable figures, including William Freeman Vilas, a U.S. Senator and U.S. Secretary of the Interior who served from 1888 to 1889, and Charles N. Herreid, a U.S. Representative from South Dakota who served from 1901 to 1913.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Dodge County, Wisconsin was 89,171, with a population density of 101.8 people per square mile. The county has a diverse population, with a mix of European-American, African American, Asian American, and Hispanic and Latino American residents. The county is also home to several major employers, including John Deere, Kohler Company, and Sargento Foods Inc., which are major manufacturers of agricultural equipment, plumbing fixtures, and dairy products. The county is part of the Madison, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area and is situated near several major universities, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Marquette University.

Communities

Dodge County, Wisconsin is home to several communities, including the city of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, the city of Watertown, Wisconsin, and the village of Juneau, Wisconsin. The county is also home to several townships, including the Town of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and the Town of Watertown, Wisconsin. The county is situated near several major highways, including U.S. Route 151 and Wisconsin Highway 16, which provide access to several major cities, including Madison, Wisconsin and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The county is also home to several major festivals and events, including the Dodge County Fair and the Beaver Dam Lake Days.

Government

The government of Dodge County, Wisconsin is headed by a county board of supervisors, which is composed of representatives from each of the county's townships and cities. The county is also home to several major law enforcement agencies, including the Dodge County Sheriff's Office and the Beaver Dam Police Department. The county is part of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and is situated near the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The county is also home to several major government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Economy

The economy of Dodge County, Wisconsin is diverse, with a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries. The county is a major producer of dairy products, with several major dairy farms and processing plants, including Sargento Foods Inc. and Foremost Farms USA. The county is also home to several major manufacturers, including John Deere and Kohler Company, which produce agricultural equipment and plumbing fixtures. The county is situated near several major transportation hubs, including the General Mitchell International Airport and the Port of Milwaukee, which provide access to several major markets, including Chicago, Illinois and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The county is also home to several major tourist attractions, including the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge and the Kettle Moraine State Forest, which attract visitors from across the United States and around the world. Category:Wisconsin counties