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Portage, Wisconsin

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Current weather forecast for Portage, WI

Population in 2022: 10,200 (96% urban, 4% rural).
Population change since 2000: +4.9%
 
Males: 5,387  (52.8%)
Females: 4,813  (47.2%)
Median resident age:

37.2 years
Wisconsin median age:

40.4 years

Zip codes: 53901.

Estimated median household income in 2022: $58,416 (it was $35,815 in 2000)
Portage:

$58,416
WI:

$70,996

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $28,788 (it was $18,039 in 2000)

Portage city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $186,814 (it was $90,200 in 2000)
Portage:

$186,814
WI:

$252,800

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $327,309; detached houses: $337,146; townhouses or other attached units: $267,084; in 2-unit structures: $277,464; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $247,432; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $305,110; mobile homes: $52,521

Median gross rent in 2022: $930.

March 2022 cost of living index in Portage: 93.0 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 14.9%
(13.9% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 23.7% for Black residents, 32.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 51.0% for other race residents)

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  • Races in Portage, WI (2022)
    • 8,79184.0%White alone
    • 7136.8%Hispanic
    • 4654.4%Black alone
    • 3253.1%Two or more races
    • 700.7%American Indian alone
    • 680.6%Asian alone

Races in Portage detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth



According to our research of Wisconsin and other state lists, there were 59 registered sex offenders living in Portage, Wisconsin as of April 23, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Portage is 175 to 1.


Crime rates in Portage by year

Type

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022
Murders
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(9.8)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		2
(19.2)		0
(0.0)		1
(9.5)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)
Rapes
(per 100,000)		10
(100.6)		2
(19.4)		1
(9.6)		2
(19.3)		20
(196.7)		2
(19.7)		4
(39.4)		1
(9.6)		9
(86.8)		4
(38.1)		2
(19.1)		7
(67.3)		10
(96.3)		4
(39.0)
Robberies
(per 100,000)		1
(10.1)		2
(19.4)		3
(28.9)		3
(29.0)		3
(29.5)		2
(19.7)		2
(19.7)		3
(28.9)		2
(19.3)		3
(28.6)		2
(19.1)		0
(0.0)		1
(9.6)		0
(0.0)
Assaults
(per 100,000)		29
(291.8)		23
(222.8)		31
(299.0)		16
(154.4)		22
(216.4)		11
(108.4)		20
(197.2)		16
(153.9)		23
(221.8)		17
(162.0)		13
(124.4)		11
(105.7)		20
(192.5)		12
(117.1)
Burglaries
(per 100,000)		16
(161.0)		23
(222.8)		27
(260.4)		26
(250.9)		16
(157.4)		7
(69.0)		44
(433.9)		40
(384.8)		27
(260.3)		26
(247.7)		7
(67.0)		18
(172.9)		12
(115.5)		15
(146.3)
Thefts
(per 100,000)		263
(2,646)		91
(881.4)		62
(597.9)		48
(463.2)		40
(393.4)		48
(473.0)		214
(2,110)		184
(1,770)		162
(1,562)		127
(1,210)		143
(1,368)		159
(1,528)		181
(1,743)		176
(1,717)
Auto thefts
(per 100,000)		7
(70.4)		6
(58.1)		3
(28.9)		5
(48.3)		1
(9.8)		2
(19.7)		5
(49.3)		5
(48.1)		4
(38.6)		3
(28.6)		14
(133.9)		10
(96.1)		23
(221.4)		11
(107.3)
Arson
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		2
(19.2)		0
(0.0)		1
(9.5)		1
(9.6)		0
(0.0)		1
(9.6)		1
(9.8)
City-Data.com crime index264.6121.4120.695.0256.768.7195.6187.2203.3158.5116.1155.8213.9142.1

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 246.1. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

Click on a table row to update graph
City-data.com crime index in Portage, WI

Crime rate in Portage detailed stats: murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, arson

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2021, including police officers: 29 (25 officers - 20 male; 5 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.41
Wisconsin average:

2.07
Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Portage, WI forum
Recent posts about Portage, Wisconsin on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Portage is mentioned 412 times on our forum:
Early 30's Couple for The Dells/Mauston/Tomah/Portage??  (15 replies)
Relocating to Portage  (6 replies)
Area that might be best for me?  (72 replies)
Small town/country life in Wisconsin  (134 replies)
Best things about Wisconsin (why I miss it so)  (64 replies)
Is Wisconsin really THAT conservative?  (85 replies)

Latest news from Portage, WI collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (31.7%), Irish (10.0%), American (10.0%), Norwegian (3.8%), Polish (3.4%), Italian (3.2%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Incorporated in 1854

Elevation: 800 feet

Land area: 8.29 square miles.

Population density: 1,230 people per square mile   (low).

Portage, Wisconsin map

397 residents are foreign born (1.9% Latin America, 1.1% Europe, 0.5% Asia).

This city:

3.8%
Wisconsin:

5.0%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2022: $3,156 (1.7%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2022: $2,677 (1.4%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Madison, WI (32.8 miles , pop. 208,054).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (148.8 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Pacific, WI (2.0 miles ),
Fort Winnebago, WI (2.3 miles ),
Lewiston, WI (2.4 miles ),
Pardeeville, WI (2.9 miles ),
Wyocena, WI (2.9 miles ),
Marcellon, WI (2.9 miles ),
Dekorra, WI (3.0 miles ),
Moundville, WI (3.0 miles )

Latitude: 43.55 N, Longitude: 89.46 W

Nickname or alias (official or unofficial): Historic Portage

Daytime population change due to commuting: +2,687 (+25.7%)
Workers who live and work in this city: 2,427 (49.6%)

Area code: 608

Distribution of median household income in Portage, WI in 2022
Distribution of house value in Portage, WI in 2022
Portage satellite photo by USGS

Portage tourist attractions:

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2022: 4 buildings, average cost: $311,700
  • 2021: 5 buildings, average cost: $187,000
  • 2020: 7 buildings, average cost: $232,100
  • 2019: 5 buildings, average cost: $214,200
  • 2018: 6 buildings, average cost: $219,500
  • 2017: 7 buildings, average cost: $222,500
  • 2016: 1 building, cost: $235,000
  • 2015: 4 buildings, average cost: $170,000
  • 2014: 4 buildings, average cost: $120,000
  • 2013: 2 buildings, average cost: $137,500
  • 2012: 3 buildings, average cost: $98,300
  • 2011: 3 buildings, average cost: $110,000
  • 2010: 4 buildings, average cost: $50,800
  • 2009: 3 buildings, average cost: $86,700
  • 2008: 5 buildings, average cost: $125,700
  • 2007: 9 buildings, average cost: $163,300
  • 2006: 7 buildings, average cost: $165,700
  • 2005: 26 buildings, average cost: $172,700
  • 2004: 14 buildings, average cost: $166,400
  • 2003: 13 buildings, average cost: $182,500
  • 2002: 22 buildings, average cost: $116,300
  • 2001: 22 buildings, average cost: $103,200
  • 2000: 14 buildings, average cost: $108,200
  • 1999: 16 buildings, average cost: $101,700
  • 1998: 17 buildings, average cost: $101,700
  • 1997: 8 buildings, average cost: $90,300
Number of permits per 10,000 Portage, WI residents
Average permit cost in Portage, WI
Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

2.3%
Wisconsin:

2.7%
Historical population in Portage, WI
Historical housing units in Portage, WI

Population change in the 1990s: +1,068 (+12.3%).
Most common industries in Portage, WI (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Accommodation & food services (8.7%)
  • Health care (8.7%)
  • Public administration (7.6%)
  • Educational services (7.3%)
  • Construction (6.0%)
  • Food (5.9%)
  • Plastics & rubber products (5.7%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Construction (10.6%)
  • Public administration (9.6%)
  • Plastics & rubber products (7.6%)
  • Food (7.0%)
  • Accommodation & food services (6.5%)
  • Educational services (4.9%)
  • Truck transportation (3.4%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Health care (15.3%)
  • Accommodation & food services (11.0%)
  • Educational services (9.8%)
  • Electrical equipment, appliances, components (6.6%)
  • Public administration (5.5%)
  • Food (4.8%)
  • Social assistance (4.6%)
Most common occupations in Portage, WI (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.8%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (4.3%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (4.3%)
  • Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (3.8%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (3.7%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (3.6%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (3.3%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (7.0%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (5.9%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (5.4%)
  • Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (5.1%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (5.1%)
  • Laborers and material movers, hand (4.9%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (4.7%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (6.6%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.6%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (5.8%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (5.5%)
  • Cashiers (5.0%)
  • Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (3.9%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (3.8%)

Average climate in Portage, Wisconsin

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Portage, Wisconsin average temperatures Portage, Wisconsin average precipitation Portage, Wisconsin humidity Portage, Wisconsin wind speed Portage, Wisconsin snowfall Portage, Wisconsin sunshine Portage, Wisconsin clear and cloudy days

Portage, Wisconsin environmental map by EPA

Map Legend

Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI NO2 SO2 Ozone PM10 PM2.5
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2022 was 63.1. This is about average.

City:

63.1
U.S.:

72.6
Nitrogen Dioxide Level

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) [ppb] level in 2003 was 4.36. This is about average. Closest monitor was 2.7 miles away from the city center.

City:

4.36
U.S.:

5.11
Sulfur Dioxide Level

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) [ppb] level in 2004 was 1.66. This is about average. Closest monitor was 1.3 miles away from the city center.

City:

1.66
U.S.:

1.51
Ozone Level

Ozone [ppb] level in 2022 was 32.1. This is about average. Closest monitor was 2.7 miles away from the city center.

City:

32.1
U.S.:

33.3
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM10) [µg/m3] level in 2022 was 14.7. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 13.3 miles away from the city center.

City:

14.7
U.S.:

19.2
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2022 was 7.34. This is about average. Closest monitor was 13.3 miles away from the city center.

City:

7.34
U.S.:

8.11

Tornado activity:

Portage-area historical tornado activity is above Wisconsin state average. It is 72% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 6/7/1984, a category F5 (max. wind speeds 261-318 mph) tornado 18.6 miles away from the Portage city center killed 9 people and injured 200 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

On 9/26/1951, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 11.9 miles away from the city center killed one person and injured 9 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Portage-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Wisconsin state average. It is 24% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 361.8 miles away from Portage center
On 6/28/2004 at 06:10:52, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 147.1 miles away from the city center
On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 336.9 miles away from Portage center
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi) earthquake occurred 361.8 miles away from the city center
On 2/10/2010 at 09:59:35, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 119.6 miles away from Portage center
On 5/2/2015 at 16:23:07, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 2.8 mi) earthquake occurred 223.6 miles away from Portage center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Columbia County (10) is smaller than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 7
Emergencies Declared: 3

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 6, Storms: 6, Tornadoes: 3, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Wind: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Portage topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers in Portage:

  • DIVINE SAVIOR HLTHCARE (Voluntary non-profit - Private, provides emergency services, 2817 NEW PINERY RD, P O BOX 387)
  • TIVOLI AT DIVINE SAVIOR HEALTHCARE (2805 HUNTERS TRAIL)
  • DIVINE SAVIOR HEALTHCARE DIALYSIS (2817 NEW PINERY ROAD)
  • DIVINE SAVIOR HOME CARE (2805 HUNTERS TRAIL)

Airports located in Portage:

See details about airports located in Portage, WI

Amtrak station:

PORTAGE (400 W. ONEIDA ST.) . Services: partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Portage:

  • Herzing University-Madison (about 30 miles; Madison, WI; Full-time enrollment: 3,160)
  • Madison Area Technical College (about 31 miles; Madison, WI; FT enrollment: 9,603)
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (about 33 miles; Madison, WI; FT enrollment: 34,621)
  • University of Wisconsin Colleges (about 33 miles; Madison, WI; FT enrollment: 10,019)
  • Edgewood College (about 34 miles; Madison, WI; FT enrollment: 2,455)
  • Marian University (about 55 miles; Fond Du Lac, WI; FT enrollment: 2,045)
  • Moraine Park Technical College (about 55 miles; Fond du Lac, WI; FT enrollment: 3,079)

Public high schools in Portage:

Public elementary/middle schools in Portage:

  • MUIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 506, Location: 2600 WOODCREST DR, Grades: 2-5)
  • RUSCH ELEMENTARY (Students: 481, Location: 117 W FRANKLIN ST, Grades: KG-5)
  • WOODRIDGE ELEMENTARY (Students: 203, Location: 333 E SLIFER ST, Grades: KG-1)
  • LEWISTON ELEMENTARY (Students: 54, Location: W11195 STATE ROAD 127, Grades: KG-5)
  • WAYNE BARTELS MIDDLE (Location: 2505 NEW PINERY RD, Grades: 6-8)
  • PORTAGE PARTNERING PRESCHOOL (Location: 2600 WOODCREST DR, Grades: PK-4)

Private elementary/middle schools in Portage:

  • ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 140, Location: 430 W EMMETT ST, Grades: PK-8)
  • ST MARY SCHOOL (Students: 121, Location: 315 W COOK ST, Grades: PK-8)
See full list of schools located in Portage

Library in Portage:

  • PORTAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $592,016; Location: 253 W. EDGEWATER ST.; 60,178 books; 8,370 e-books; 6,550 audio materials; 2,506 video materials; 28 state licensed databases; 10 other licensed databases; 164 print serial subscriptions)

User-submitted facts and corrections:

  • Hospital/medical center in Portage: * DIVINE SAVIOR HEALTHCARE (2817 New Pinery Rd. PO BOX 387)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable locations in Portage: Portage Wastewater Treatment Plant (A), Zona Gale Breese Memorial Library (B), Zona Gable Center for the Arts (C), Portage Municipal Building (D), John Roche Building (E), Divine Savior Nursing Home (F), Columbia County Jail (G), Columbia County Courthouse (H), Portage Fire Department (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Shopping Center: Northridge Mall Shopping Center (1). Display/hide its location on the map

Churches in Portage include: Bethlehem English Evangelical Lutheran Church (A), Bible Baptist Church (B), Cross of Christ Lutheran Church (C), First Church of Christ Scientist (D), Saint Johns Episcopal Church (E), Saint Johns Lutheran Church (F), Saint Marys Roman Catholic Church (G), Trinity United Church of Christ (H), Zion Evangelical Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Cemeteries: Silver Lake Cemetery (1), Oak Grove Cemetery (2), Saint Marys Cemetery (3). Display/hide their locations on the map

Lakes: Mud Lake (A), Silver Lake (B). Display/hide their locations on the map

Parks in Portage include: Blue Star Park (1), Collipp-Worden Park (2), Goodyear Park (3), Hamilton Street Park (4), Lincoln Park (5), Pauquette Park (6), Riverside Park (7), Sanborn Park (8), Sunrise Park (9). Display/hide their locations on the map

Beach: Silver Lake Beach (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Tourist attractions: Historic Indian Agency House (Museums; Agency House Rd), Museum at the Portage (Cultural Attractions- Events- & Facilities; 804 Macfarlane Road).

Hotels: Best Western Resort Hotel & Conference Center (2701 County Road Cx), Bugeteer (811 East Wisconsin Street), Comfort Suites Portage (North 5780 Kinney Road), Day's Inn Motel (N5781 State Road 78), Days Inn (I90-94 N5781 Kinney Road), Best Western Rsrt Htl-Conf Ctr (2701 South Cx).

Birthplace of: Guy W. S. Castle - Navy Medal of Honor recipient, James J. Lindsay - General, Philip Hayes (general) - General, Zona Gale - Novelist, Arthur Hale Curtis - Football player and coach, Earl Abell - Football player, George Davies (baseball) - Baseball player, Mike Thompson (American football) - Football player, Ryan Brunt (curler) - Curler.

Columbia County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Portage and their reported violations in the past:

PRIDE OF AMERICA CPGD - MAIN SYSTEM WELLS 1 2 AND 4 (Population served: 342, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One routine major monitoring violation
  • 2 regular monitoring violations
SKY HIGH CAMPING - MAIN SYSTEM (Population served: 215, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JUN-2012, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (JUN-21-2012), St Boil Water Order (JUN-21-2012), St Violation/Reminder Notice (JUN-21-2012), St Compliance achieved (JUN-25-2012), St Public Notif received (JUN-27-2012)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In MAY-2012, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAY-14-2012), St Boil Water Order (MAY-14-2012), St Violation/Reminder Notice (MAY-14-2012), St Compliance achieved (MAY-18-2012), St Public Notif received (MAY-21-2012)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In MAY-2011, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (MAY-19-2011), St Boil Water Order (MAY-19-2011), St Public Notif requested (MAY-19-2011), St Compliance achieved (MAY-26-2011), St Public Notif received (JUN-11-2011)
LEVEE (Population served: 108, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One minor monitoring violation
PARADISE CITY (Population served: 104, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One routine major monitoring violation
  • One regular monitoring violation
FOX MARQUETTE MOBILE HOME PARK (Population served: 72, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In JAN-01-2009, Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule. Follow-up actions: St Other (JAN-28-2010), St Public Notif requested (FEB-08-2010), St Violation/Reminder Notice (FEB-08-2010), St Compliance achieved (FEB-24-2010)
  • One routine major monitoring violation
  • One regular monitoring violation
COUNTRY ACRES MOBILE HMS 2 (Population served: 51, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One routine major monitoring violation
PRIDE OF AMERICA CPGD - RENTAL HOUSE SYSTEM (Population served: 37, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2008, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Boil Water Order (AUG-28-2008), St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-28-2008), St Public Notif requested (AUG-28-2008), St Public Notif received (SEP-08-2008), St Compliance achieved (SEP-10-2008)
Past monitoring violations:
  • One regular monitoring violation
COUNTRY ACRES MOBILE HMS 1 (Population served: 30, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • One routine major monitoring violation

Drinking water stations with addresses in Portage that have no violations reported:

  • PORTAGE SUPER STOP (Population served: 204, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • WHEEL THE (Population served: 104, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • PORTAGE COUNTRY CLUB CLUBHOUSE (Population served: 104, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • SKY HIGH CAMPING - NORTH ENTRANCE (Population served: 100, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • SKY HIGH CAMPING - HICKORY HEIGHTS (Population served: 100, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • UNIMIN CORP EMP LOCKER RM (Population served: 30, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • ST PAULS LUTHERAN CHURCH (Population served: 25, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
Average household size:
This city:

2.3 people
Wisconsin:

2.4 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

57.9%
Whole state:

64.4%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

9.3%
Whole state:

7.3%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.4% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.2% of all households

People in group quarters in Portage in 2010:

  • 818 people in state prisons
  • 211 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
  • 79 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 16 people in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) for people experiencing homelessness
  • 3 people in group homes intended for adults

People in group quarters in Portage in 2000:

  • 775 people in state prisons
  • 106 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 103 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
  • 103 people in other hospitals or wards for chronically ill
  • 37 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 35 people in nursing homes
  • 8 people in homes for the mentally retarded
  • 4 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse

Banks with branches in Portage (2011 data):

  • U.S. Bank National Association: Portage Northridge Branch at 2848 New Pinery Rd, branch established on 1985/01/24; Portage Downtown Branch at 238 West Wisconsin Street, branch established on 1874/05/04. Info updated 2012/01/30: Bank assets: $330,470.8 mil, Deposits: $236,091.5 mil, headquarters in Cincinnati, OH, positive income, 3121 total offices, Holding Company: U.S. Bancorp
  • The Baraboo National Bank: Portage Branch at 2830 New Pinery Road, branch established on 2004/06/30. Info updated 2009/03/26: Bank assets: $766.1 mil, Deposits: $684.2 mil, headquarters in Baraboo, WI, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 16 total offices, Holding Company: Baraboo Bancorporation, Inc., The
  • Bank of Wisconsin Dells: Portage Branch at 2930 New Pinery Road, branch established on 1996/07/17. Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $374.4 mil, Deposits: $323.2 mil, headquarters in Wisconsin Dells, WI, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 3 total offices, Holding Company: Dells Bancshares, Inc.
  • BMO Harris Bank National Association: Portage North Branch at 2851 New Pinery Road, branch established on 1995/04/03. Info updated 2011/07/14: Bank assets: $97,264.0 mil, Deposits: $75,624.6 mil, headquarters in Chicago, IL, positive income, 717 total offices, Holding Company: Bank Of Montreal
  • Bank Mutual: 145 East Cook Street Branch at 145 East Cook Street, branch established on 1940/08/14. Info updated 2011/07/21: Bank assets: $2,497.0 mil, Deposits: $2,046.0 mil, headquarters in Brown Deer, WI, negative income in the last year, Mortgage Lending Specialization, 79 total offices
  • Associated Bank, National Association: Portage Branch at 222 East Wisconsin Street, branch established on 1890/02/01. Info updated 2008/09/12: Bank assets: $21,715.0 mil, Deposits: $15,244.4 mil, headquarters in Green Bay, WI, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 282 total offices, Holding Company: Associated Banc-Corp

For population 15 years and over in Portage:

Marital status in Portage, WI
  • Never married: 37.4%
  • Now married: 38.1%
  • Separated: 2.5%
  • Widowed: 5.2%
  • Divorced: 16.8%

For population 25 years and over in Portage:

  • High school or higher: 90.8%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 16.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 6.9%
  • Unemployed: 4.2%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 21.3 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

9.3
Wisconsin average:

10.4

Travel time (in minutes) to work in 2022
Means of transportation to work in 2022 - Portage
Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Portage, WI (based on Columbia County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic11,4739
Evangelical Protestant9,99044
Mainline Protestant9,91134
Other93
None25,450-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 10
Columbia County:

1.81 / 10,000 pop.
Wisconsin:

1.86 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 2
Here:

0.36 / 10,000 pop.
State:

0.11 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 35
Columbia County:

6.35 / 10,000 pop.
Wisconsin:

4.12 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 68
Columbia County:

12.33 / 10,000 pop.
State:

8.64 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Here:

7.3%
Wisconsin:

7.6%
Adult obesity rate:
Here:

26.8%
Wisconsin:

27.5%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Columbia County:

14.0%
Wisconsin:

13.0%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Portage:

49.0%
Wisconsin:

49.5%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
This city:

45.0%
Wisconsin:

46.6%

Average BMI:
Portage:

28.6
Wisconsin:

28.7

People feeling badly about themselves:
Portage:

21.0%
State:

21.4%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
Portage:

11.3%
State:

10.2%

Average hours sleeping at night:
This city:

6.8
State:

6.8

Overweight people:
Portage:

32.1%
Wisconsin:

34.0%

General health condition:
This city:

56.0%
Wisconsin:

56.3%

Average condition of hearing:
Portage:

78.1%
Wisconsin:

78.5%

More about Health and Nutrition of Portage, WI Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2022)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Police Protection - Officers 24$143,103$71,5520$0
Streets and Highways 14$69,058$59,1930$0
Parks and Recreation 6$25,806$51,6124$1,064
Firefighters 6$39,030$78,0600$0
Local Libraries 6$22,759$45,51812$8,820
Water Supply 5$21,443$51,4631$2,898
Other Government Administration 5$32,018$76,84310$3,650
Sewerage 4$21,663$64,9890$0
Police - Other 4$14,983$44,9496$1,262
Financial Administration 2$15,277$91,6620$0
Judicial and Legal 1$4,629$55,5481$533
Fire - Other 1$4,496$53,9520$0
Other and Unallocable 0$0 3$209
Totals for Government 78$414,264$63,73337$18,437

Portage government finances - Expenditure in 2018 (per resident):

  • Construction - Regular Highways: $651,000 ($63.82)
    Parks and Recreation: $235,000 ($23.04)
    General Public Buildings: $195,000 ($19.12)
    Libraries: $90,000 ($8.82)
    General - Other: $70,000 ($6.86)
    Transit Utilities: $32,000 ($3.14)
  • Current Operations - Police Protection: $2,674,000 ($262.16)
    Sewerage: $1,865,000 ($182.84)
    Water Utilities: $1,446,000 ($141.76)
    Regular Highways: $1,417,000 ($138.92)
    Local Fire Protection: $1,221,000 ($119.71)
    Transit Utilities: $1,215,000 ($119.12)
    Parks and Recreation: $821,000 ($80.49)
    Libraries: $639,000 ($62.65)
    General - Other: $479,000 ($46.96)
    Central Staff Services: $448,000 ($43.92)
    Solid Waste Management: $372,000 ($36.47)
    Financial Administration: $225,000 ($22.06)
    Protective Inspection and Regulation - Other: $185,000 ($18.14)
    Judicial and Legal Services: $135,000 ($13.24)
    General Public Buildings: $73,000 ($7.16)
    Housing and Community Development: $67,000 ($6.57)
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities - Other: $43,000 ($4.22)
    Air Transportation: $28,000 ($2.75)
    Health - Other: $24,000 ($2.35)
    Parking Facilities: $2,000 ($0.20)
    Natural Resources - Other: $1,000 ($0.10)
  • General - Interest on Debt: $745,000 ($73.04)
  • Other Capital Outlay - Local Fire Protection: $149,000 ($14.61)
    Regular Highways: $122,000 ($11.96)
    Police Protection: $95,000 ($9.31)
    Central Staff Services: $42,000 ($4.12)

Portage government finances - Revenue in 2018 (per resident):

  • Charges - Sewerage: $1,870,000 ($183.33)
    Other: $173,000 ($16.96)
    Parks and Recreation: $100,000 ($9.80)
    Housing and Community Development: $49,000 ($4.80)
    Regular Highways: $28,000 ($2.75)
    Solid Waste Management: $7,000 ($0.69)
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Other: $8,000 ($0.78)
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $225,000 ($22.06)
    Highways: $6,000 ($0.59)
  • Miscellaneous - Rents: $697,000 ($68.33)
    Fines and Forfeits: $144,000 ($14.12)
    Special Assessments: $117,000 ($11.47)
    Donations From Private Sources: $116,000 ($11.37)
    Interest Earnings: $114,000 ($11.18)
    General Revenue - Other: $105,000 ($10.29)
    Sale of Property: $11,000 ($1.08)
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $1,572,000 ($154.12)
  • State Intergovernmental - General Local Government Support: $1,846,000 ($180.98)
    Transit Utilities: $696,000 ($68.24)
    Highways: $623,000 ($61.08)
    Other: $338,000 ($33.14)
    Education: $164,000 ($16.08)
  • Tax - Property: $5,132,000 ($503.14)
    Other License: $187,000 ($18.33)
    Other Selective Sales: $187,000 ($18.33)
    Occupation and Business License - Other: $183,000 ($17.94)
    Other: $27,000 ($2.65)

Portage government finances - Debt in 2018 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $26,826,000 ($2630.00)
    Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $22,788,000 ($2234.12)
    Issue, Unspecified Public Purpose: $5,910,000 ($579.41)
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $1,872,000 ($183.53)

Portage government finances - Cash and Securities in 2018 (per resident):

  • Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $2,356,000 ($230.98)
Businesses in Portage, WI
NameCountNameCount
Ace Hardware1La-Z-Boy1
AutoZone1Lane Furniture1
Best Western1MasterBrand Cabinets1
Chevrolet1McDonald's1
Comfort Suites1Nike2
Curves1Penske1
Dairy Queen2Pizza Hut1
Days Inn1RadioShack1
Fashion Bug1Sears1
FedEx4Staples1
Ford1Subway2
GNC1Super 81
Goodwill4Taco Bell1
H&R Block1U-Haul1
Haagen-Dazs1UPS4
Jimmy John's1Walgreens1
KFC1Walmart1
Kmart1Wendy's1

Strongest AM radio stations in Portage:

  • WPDR (1350 AM; 1 kW; PORTAGE, WI; Owner: ZOE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WNAM (1280 AM; 50 kW; NEENAH-MENASHA, WI; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)
  • WSPT (1010 AM; 50 kW; STEVENS POINT, WI)
  • WTMJ (620 AM; 50 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION)
  • WTSO (1070 AM; 10 kW; MADISON, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • WHBY (1150 AM; 25 kW; KIMBERLY, WI; Owner: WOODWARD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WISN (1130 AM; 50 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • WLMV (1480 AM; 10 kW; MADISON, WI; Owner: MID-WEST MANAGEMENT, INC.)
  • WIBU (900 AM; 1 kW; WISCONSIN DELLS, WI; Owner: MAGNUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WTDY (1670 AM; 10 kW; MADISON, WI; Owner: MID-WEST MANAGEMENT, INC.)
  • WHFA (1240 AM; 1 kW; POYNETTE, WI; Owner: STARBOARD BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WNWC (1190 AM; daytime; 5 kW; SUN PRAIRIE, WI; Owner: NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE)
  • WHA (970 AM; 5 kW; MADISON, WI; Owner: BOARD REGENTS OF UNIV OF WI SYSTEM)

Strongest FM radio stations in Portage:

  • WDDC (100.1 FM; PORTAGE, WI; Owner: ZOE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WOLX-FM (94.9 FM; BARABOO, WI; Owner: ENTERCOM MADISON LICENSE, LLC.)
  • WBKY (95.9 FM; PORTAGE, WI; Owner: MAGNUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WERN (88.7 FM; MADISON, WI; Owner: STATE OF WISCONSIN - EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD)
  • WCJZ (96.3 FM; SAUK CITY, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • WIBA-FM (101.5 FM; MADISON, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • WNNO-FM (106.9 FM; WISCONSIN DELLS, WI; Owner: MAGNUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WZEE (104.1 FM; MADISON, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • WORT (89.9 FM; MADISON, WI; Owner: BACK PORCH RADIO BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WNFM (104.9 FM; REEDSBURG, WI; Owner: NEWRADIO GROUP, LLC)
  • WJWD (90.3 FM; MARSHALL, WI; Owner: CSN INTERNATIONAL)
  • WBDL (102.9 FM; REEDSBURG, WI; Owner: NEWRADIO GROUP, LLC)
  • WTLX (100.5 FM; COLUMBUS, WI; Owner: GOOD KARMA BROADCASTING, L.L.C.)
  • WMAD-FM (92.1 FM; SUN PRAIRIE, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • WBZU (105.1 FM; WAUNAKEE, WI; Owner: ENTERCOM MADISON LICENSE, LLC.)

TV broadcast stations around Portage:

  • WISC-TV (Channel 3; MADISON, WI; Owner: TELEVISION WISCONSIN, INC.)
  • WMSN-TV (Channel 47; MADISON, WI; Owner: WMSN LICENSEE, LLC)
  • WKOW-TV (Channel 27; MADISON, WI; Owner: WKOW TELEVISION, INC.)
  • WHA-TV (Channel 21; MADISON, WI; Owner: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIV. OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM)
  • WMTV (Channel 15; MADISON, WI; Owner: GRAY MIDAMERICA TV LICENSEE CORP.)
  • WDLS-LP (Channel 35; TOMAH, WI; Owner: MAGNUM RADIO, INC.)
  • WWRS-TV (Channel 52; MAYVILLE, WI; Owner: NATIONAL MINORITY T.V., INC.)
  • W58CO (Channel 58; SAULT STE. MARIE, MI; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
Portage fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 2021
Fatal road traffic accident statistics for 1975 - 2021
See more detailed statistics of Portage fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2021 here
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 35Number of bridges
  • 646ft / 197mTotal length
  • $5,096,000Total costs
  • 342,766Total average daily traffic
  • 38,994Total average daily truck traffic
New bridges in Portage, WI - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 21950-1959
  • 161960-1969
  • 11970-1979
  • 141990-1999
  • 22000-2009
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Portage, WI
FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers: 5 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Portage)
FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 133 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)
FCC Registered Commercial Land Mobile Towers: 1 (See the full list of FCC Registered Commercial Land Mobile Towers in Portage, WI)
FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 34 (See the full list of FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers)
FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 27 (See the full list of FCC Registered Microwave Towers in this town)
FCC Registered Paging Towers: 1 (See the full list of FCC Registered Paging Towers)
FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 58 (See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Portage)

FAA Registered Aircraft: 14 (See the full list of FAA Registered Aircraft in Portage)
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 3 partial tracts)
A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA
Home Purchase Loans		B) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		C) Refinancings
D) Home Improvement Loans
E) Loans on Dwellings For 5+ Families
F) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D)		G) Loans On Manufactured
Home Dwelling (A B C & D)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED29$111,35117$108,965130$118,54910$61,4670$08$93,1211$24,960
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED1$154,4303$132,11011$122,6150$00$00$00$0
APPLICATIONS DENIED3$105,7306$66,73043$122,6046$37,7371$153,3102$111,3752$22,910
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN4$100,5551$109,58029$116,7581$51,2900$02$63,6150$0
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS1$61,3300$05$127,0461$43,4900$00$00$0
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Detailed HMDA statistics for the following Tracts: 9704.00 , 9705.00

Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 3 partial tracts)
A) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		B) Refinancings
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED2$147,0803$151,133
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED1$142,4001$61,880
APPLICATIONS DENIED0$01$109,280
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN0$01$70,250
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS0$00$0
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Detailed PMIC statistics for the following Tracts: 9704.00 , 9705.00

Conventional Home Purchase Loans in Portage, WI
Conventional Home Purchase Loans in Portage, WI - Value

2002 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents

    Fire incident distribution by year According to the data from the years 2002 - 2018 the average number of fires per year is 63. The highest number of fire incidents - 89 took place in 2015, and the least - 32 in 2013. The data has a decreasing trend.
    Fire incident types in Portage, WI When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Structure Fires (41.9%), and Outside Fires (27.5%).

    • Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Portage, WI
    • 44641.9%Structure Fires
    • 29327.5%Outside Fires
    • 25724.2%Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires
    • 686.4%Other
See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Portage, WI

Fire-safe hotels and motels in Portage, Wisconsin:

  • Super 8 Motel Portage, 3000 New Pinery Rd, Portage, Wisconsin 53901 , Phone: (608) 742-8330, Fax: (608) 745-0167
  • Comfort Suites, N5780 Kinney Rd, Portage, Wisconsin 53901 , Phone: (608) 745-4717, Fax: (608) 745-1231
  • Days Inn Portage, N5781 Kinney Rd, Portage, Wisconsin 53901 , Phone: (608) 742-1554, Fax: (608) 742-1725
  • Best Western Resort Hotel, 2701 S CX, Portage, Wisconsin 53901 , Phone: (608) 742-2200, Fax: (608) 742-2200
All 4 fire-safe hotels and motels in Portage, Wisconsin
Most common first names in Portage, WI among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
William10576.4 years
Robert9570.1 years
John9577.7 years
Mary8880.7 years
Charles7075.6 years
Margaret6183.3 years
Helen5977.0 years
George5975.9 years
Edward5474.7 years
James5468.3 years
Most common last names in Portage, WI among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Johnson5079.0 years
Smith3677.2 years
Schultz2976.3 years
Miller2077.9 years
Kleist2076.9 years
Paske1776.7 years
Taylor1780.3 years
Mcmahon1684.8 years
Koch1683.0 years
Atkinson1681.4 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Portage, WI
  • 83.9%Utility gas
  • 12.6%Electricity
  • 1.4%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 1.1%Wood
  • 0.9%Other fuel
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Portage, WI
  • 55.5%Electricity
  • 34.6%Utility gas
  • 5.2%No fuel used
  • 3.1%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 1.6%Other fuel


Portage compared to Wisconsin state average:

  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age below state average.
  • Institutionalized population percentage significantly above state average.

Portage on our top lists:

  • #34 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the largest percentage of people in other hospitals or wards for chronically ill (population 1,000+)"
  • #42 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the largest percentage of people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill (population 1,000+)"
  • #81 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #85 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Ozone (1-hour) air pollution readings in 2012 (ppm)"
  • #90 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest number of people without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
There are 18 pilots and 13 other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Neal S. Berke (3)
  • Jason D. Zajicek (3)
  • Patrick D. Watson (3)
  • Heidi J. Bulgrin (3)
  • Kim R. Gass (2)
  • Michael J. Werner (2)
  • Jesse Spankowski (2)
  • Michael Robert Shortreed (2)
  • Clyde H. Masten, Iii (2)
  • Michael R. Shortreed (2)

Total of 30 patent applications in 2008-2024.

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