Washington County

Rich Manufacturing Heritage

Washington County has a strong manufacturing heritage, accounting for 27 percent of the jobs in the county. It is home to manufacturers of many well-known consumer products, including Broan range hoods and appliances, and cookware from Regal Ware in West Bend.

 

Balance of Urban and Rural Living

Located in the northwestern corner of the Milwaukee Region, Washington County offers a distinct choice between urban and rural living - and everything in-between. Its inland lakes and acres of woodland parks offer countless outdoor opportunities. It is home to the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, a portion of the Ice Age Trail, award-winning museums, Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine, and world-class golf courses. West Bend is the county's largest city and county seat with plenty of activities and events in its charming downtown. Germantown is built around seven historic settlements with a distinct European feel. Other communities include Hartford, an industrial community located in the western portion of the county; Jackson, one of the fastest-growing villages in the state; Slinger, a historic community tucked into the hills of the Kettle Moraine, and Kewaskum, home to Wisconsin’s 9/11 Memorial. Smaller communities like Addison, Barton, Erin, Farmington, Newburg, Polk, Trenton, and Wayne complete the rural heartland, sprinkled with friendly neighborhoods, farms, lakes, and parks. 

Economic Development Information: Economic Development Washington County

Visitor Information: Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Washington County At-a-Glance

Major Cities

West Bend (32,058)
Village of Germantown (20,686)
Hartford (15,836)
Richfield (11,948)

Colleges, Vocational Schools + Universities

Moraine Park Technical College
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee at Washington County

Major Industries
Company Industry Employment
Wal-Mart Retail 1000 - 1999
West Bend Mutual Insurance Professional Services 500 - 999
Froedtert Health Care Healthcare 500 - 999
SigniCast, LLC Manufacturing 500 - 999
Broan, LLC Manufacturing 500 - 999
MGS Manufacturing Group Manufacturing 500 - 999
Serigraph Inc. Professional Services 500 - 999
JW Speaker Corp. Manufacturing 250 - 499
Gehl Foods Food + Beverage 250 - 499

 

7 things you should know about Washington County
  1. Washington County is home to Wisconsin’s 9/11 Memorial, Automotive Museum, and Museum of Wisconsin Art.
  2. Washington County is home to Slinger Super Speedway - World’s Fastest Quarter Mile Oval Racetrack since 1948.
  3. West Bend hosts several popular summer events, including Music on Main concert series and Wheels on Main classic car show.
  4. Big Cedar Lake is the largest of all 52 lakes in Washington County, with 10.2 miles of shoreline, great fishing, boating, and water sports.
  5. Washington County is home to the Holy Hill Basilica and the National Shrine which boast scenic views on the highest elevation in southeastern Wisconsin.
  6. Tourists can enjoy rustic lakefront cabin rentals on Friess Lake in Glacier Hills County Park, just south of Holy Hill.
  7. Washington County is home to the #1 municipal golf course in Wisconsin, the Washington County Golf Course in Hartford. Additionally, Erin Hills has hosted the U.S. Open Championship and has been ranked the 9th Greatest Public Course in the country by Golf Digest.