Beloit, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Beloit | |
 Flag | |
| Nickname: "Gateway To Wisconsin" | |
 Location of Beloit in Rock County, Wisconsin | |
  Beloit  Beloit | |
| Coordinates:42°30′30″N89°01′54″W / 42.50833°N 89.03167°W /42.50833; -89.03167 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Rock |
| Founded | 1836 |
| Incorporated | February 24, 1846 (village) March 31, 1856 (city) |
| Government | |
| • City manager | Jerry Gabrielatos |
| Area | |
• City | 17.66 sq mi (45.73 km2) |
| • Land | 17.33 sq mi (44.89 km2) |
| • Water | 0.32 sq mi (0.84 km2) |
| Elevation | 751 ft (228.9 m) |
| Population | |
• City | 36,657 |
| • Density | 2,115/sq mi (817/km2) |
| • Metro | 163,687 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) | 53511, 53512 |
| Area codes | 608,353 |
| FIPS code | 55-06500 |
| Website | beloitwi.gov |
Beloit (/bəˈlɔɪt/ ⓘbə-LOYT)[3] is a city inRock County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located along theRock River in southern Wisconsin, on the state border withIllinois. The population was 36,657 at the2020 census. TheJanesville–Beloitmetropolitan statistical area, consisting solely of Rock County, has an estimated 165,000 residents.[4]
Twelve men inColebrook, New Hampshire created the "New England Emigrating Company" in October 1836, and sent Horace White to find a suitable region of Wisconsin in which to settle. The level fields and the water power of Turtle Creek and "unlimited gravel" in the area around what is now Beloit fixed the site of the village and farms. White purchased the land. At the same time as the Colebrook settlers, six families fromBedford, New Hampshire, arrived and settled in the region. They said the Rock River Valley had a "New England look" that made them feel at home. The village was platted in 1838 and was planned with wide streets, building on theNew England model.
Beloit was originally named New Albany (afterAlbany, Vermont) in 1837 by its founder, Caleb Blodgett. The name was changed to Beloit in 1838.[5][6] The name wascoined to be reminiscent ofDetroit.[5]
Beloit lays claim to such inventions as thespeedometer,[7] John Francis Appleby'stwine binder,[8] and Korn Kurls, which resembleCheetos, and the original puffed cheese snack.[9][10]
Beloit was served by theMilwaukee Road, and theChicago & North Western Railroad (C&NW). In its 1980 bankruptcy, the Milwaukee Road disposed of the Southwestern Line. TheUnion Pacific, which took over the C&NW, operates in Beloit today over a remnant of the former Milwaukee Road, providing a rail connection toFairbanks-Morse Engine manufacturing facility.[clarification needed] TheCPKC operates other trackage in Beloit.[11] The city also had an electric interurban railroad.[when?]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 17.66 square miles (45.74 km2), of which 17.33 square miles (44.88 km2) is land and 0.33 square miles (0.85 km2) is water.[12] Location:42°30′30″N89°01′54″W / 42.50833°N 89.03167°W /42.50833; -89.03167.
The city is adjacent to theTown of Beloit,Town of Turtle, and theIllinois municipality ofSouth Beloit, and is also Wisconsin's southernmost city.
Most of Beloit's development is occurring on the east side, adjacent toInterstates 39/90 andInterstate 43, where the cityannexed rural land for Beloit GatewayIndustrial Park, as well as in the newly revitalized downtown along the Rock River.
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| Climate data for Beloit, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 61 (16) | 69 (21) | 84 (29) | 92 (33) | 103 (39) | 104 (40) | 110 (43) | 102 (39) | 100 (38) | 89 (32) | 78 (26) | 67 (19) | 110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 48.7 (9.3) | 52.6 (11.4) | 67.6 (19.8) | 78.7 (25.9) | 86.3 (30.2) | 91.2 (32.9) | 92.0 (33.3) | 91.2 (32.9) | 88.3 (31.3) | 81.1 (27.3) | 65.9 (18.8) | 52.1 (11.2) | 94.1 (34.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 25.1 (−3.8) | 29.4 (−1.4) | 41.5 (5.3) | 54.8 (12.7) | 66.5 (19.2) | 76.1 (24.5) | 79.6 (26.4) | 78.0 (25.6) | 71.3 (21.8) | 58.3 (14.6) | 43.2 (6.2) | 30.5 (−0.8) | 54.5 (12.5) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 17.9 (−7.8) | 21.6 (−5.8) | 32.7 (0.4) | 44.6 (7.0) | 56.1 (13.4) | 65.9 (18.8) | 69.7 (20.9) | 68.1 (20.1) | 60.8 (16.0) | 48.5 (9.2) | 35.3 (1.8) | 23.8 (−4.6) | 45.4 (7.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 10.7 (−11.8) | 13.9 (−10.1) | 23.8 (−4.6) | 34.4 (1.3) | 45.7 (7.6) | 55.8 (13.2) | 59.8 (15.4) | 58.1 (14.5) | 50.3 (10.2) | 38.7 (3.7) | 27.4 (−2.6) | 17.0 (−8.3) | 36.3 (2.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −8.7 (−22.6) | −3.6 (−19.8) | 6.6 (−14.1) | 23.8 (−4.6) | 34.9 (1.6) | 45.4 (7.4) | 52.5 (11.4) | 51.5 (10.8) | 38.9 (3.8) | 27.3 (−2.6) | 14.2 (−9.9) | −0.8 (−18.2) | −12.6 (−24.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −29 (−34) | −28 (−33) | −13 (−25) | 7 (−14) | 26 (−3) | 34 (1) | 42 (6) | 39 (4) | 23 (−5) | 4 (−16) | −12 (−24) | −25 (−32) | −29 (−34) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.60 (41) | 1.52 (39) | 2.13 (54) | 3.72 (94) | 4.34 (110) | 5.64 (143) | 3.36 (85) | 4.14 (105) | 3.83 (97) | 2.77 (70) | 2.40 (61) | 1.96 (50) | 37.41 (950) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 9.8 (25) | 7.3 (19) | 4.3 (11) | 1.1 (2.8) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) | 2.7 (6.9) | 10.2 (26) | 35.6 (90) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.7 | 7.1 | 8.4 | 10.3 | 11.7 | 10.6 | 8.9 | 8.7 | 7.6 | 9.1 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 107.7 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 6.2 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 4.6 | 19.1 |
| Source:NOAA[14][15] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 4,098 | — | |
| 1870 | 4,396 | 7.3% | |
| 1880 | 4,790 | 9.0% | |
| 1890 | 6,315 | 31.8% | |
| 1900 | 10,436 | 65.3% | |
| 1910 | 15,125 | 44.9% | |
| 1920 | 21,284 | 40.7% | |
| 1930 | 23,611 | 10.9% | |
| 1940 | 25,365 | 7.4% | |
| 1950 | 29,590 | 16.7% | |
| 1960 | 32,846 | 11.0% | |
| 1970 | 35,729 | 8.8% | |
| 1980 | 35,207 | −1.5% | |
| 1990 | 35,573 | 1.0% | |
| 2000 | 35,775 | 0.6% | |
| 2010 | 36,966 | 3.3% | |
| 2020 | 36,657 | −0.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[16] | |||
As of thecensus of 2020,[2] the population was 36,657. Thepopulation density was 2,115.0 inhabitants per square mile (816.6/km2). There were 15,068 housing units at an average density of 869.4 per square mile (335.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 60.0%White, 14.5%Black orAfrican American, 1.6%Asian, 1.0%Native American, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 11.4% fromother races, and 11.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 21.3%Hispanic orLatino of any race.
As of thecensus[17] of 2010, there were 36,966 people, 13,781 households, and 8,867 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 2,128.2 inhabitants per square mile (821.7/km2). There were 15,177 housing units at an average density of 873.7 per square mile (337.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.9%White, 15.1%African American, 0.4%Native American, 1.1%Asian, 10.0% fromother races, and 4.4% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 17.1% of the population.
There were 13,781 households, of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% weremarried couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.7% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.16.
The median age in the city was 33.1 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; 12% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
Industries with headquarters in Beloit includeABC Supply Company, Bio-Systems International,Broaster Company,Fairbanks-Morse Defense,Hendricks Holding Company, Murmac Paint Manufacturing, PlayMonster, andRegal Beloit.
Downtown Beloit is a dense cluster of mostly small shops and boutiques. The area has been recognized for increased investment and renewal since the 1990s.[18] Downtown Beloit is one of two inaugural members of the Wisconsin Main Street designation.[19] Upscale downtown condominiums and hotels were introduced after 2000 with the construction of the Hotel Hilton Apartments (2001), the Beloit Inn (now the Ironworks Hotel, 2003), Heritage View (2005), Phoenix Project (2013), Hotel Goodwin (2018), and the Wright & Wagner Lofts (2021).[20]
From the 1990s to 2011, downtown Beloit received direct public and private investment totaling more than $75 million.[18] In 2011, Beloit was a Great American Main Street Award winner.[21] In 2012, Beloit was listed #17 onTravel and Leisure's list of America's Greatest Mainstreets.[22][23]
Beloit's 1889Water Tower Place began demolition in 1935, which was halted because of the cost. A historicpump station is nearby. TheFairbanks Flats were built in 1917 to house the rush ofAfrican Americans moving to the area from theSouthern United States.Pearsons Hall of Science was designed by the architectural firmBurnham and Root forBeloit College as a science center. TheLathrop-Munn Cobblestone House was originally built for politicianJohn Hackett. The Castle at 501 Prospect was built as First Presbyterian Church in 1902; it now operates as a Performing Arts Center and Music School.
Beloit's main festivals include theBeloit International Film Festival[25] and Beloit'sWinterfest, which includes an indoor playland, ice skating, ice sculpting and toboggan races.
Beloit is home to theBeloit Sky Carp, a professionalminor league baseball team that play in theMidwest League and is theHigh-A affiliate of theMiami Marlins.[26] The Sky Carp play their games atABC Supply Stadium.[27] From 1982 to 2021, they played atHarry C. Pohlman Field.
Beloit is represented byMark Spreitzer andStephen Nass in theWisconsin State Senate,Clinton Anderson andEllen Schutt in theWisconsin State Assembly,Bryan Steil in theUnited States House of Representatives, andRon Johnson andTammy Baldwin in theUnited States Senate.
Beloit has acouncil-manager system of government, with seven council members, each elected for two-year terms. Four members are elected in even years and three in odd years. City council elections are held annually in April.[28] The city council establishes policies for the city and appoints a city manager to implement those policies. The current city manager, Jerry Gabrielatos, started on February 20, 2023.[29]
TheSchool District of Beloit serves 5,923 students[30] in six primary schools, four intermediate schools, and one high school, with alternative programming and charter schools.Beloit Memorial High School is the city's public high school. The majority of Beloit is in the Beloit school district, though some portions are in theBeloit Turner School District.[31]
Beloit College, a private liberal arts college with undergraduate enrollment around 1,300, is in the city, with the main campus adjacent to downtown. The campus has a number of prehistoric Native American mounds.Blackhawk Technical College, a publictechnical school, has a campus in downtown Beloit.
Beloit has a public library that was part of theArrowhead Library System which merged with Lakeshores Library System in 2023 to form Prairie Lakes Library System.
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Beloit's main newspaper is TheBeloit Daily News, a daily (published Monday through Friday) paper owned by Adams Publishing Group, LLC, and serving the Wisconsin/Illinois stateline area. TheJanesville Gazette, also owned by Adams Publishing Group, also serves Beloit.
Beloit is a part of theMadison television market, but due to its proximity to Rockford, stations from Rockford also serve the city and report on local stories and information (weather, school closings, etc.) relating to Beloit.
Radio stations broadcasting to Beloit include '90s hitsWBEL (1380 AM), which is licensed to South Beloit, Illinois and operates studios in Janesville, classic countryWGEZ (1490 AM) and varietyWBCR (103.5 FM), owned by the Board of Trustees of Beloit College. Radio stations from Janesville, Madison and Rockford are also receivable.
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TheBeloit Transit System is the primary provider ofmass transportation. Four regular routes provide service from Monday through Saturday. In collaboration with theJanesville Transit System, BTS operates an express route between the two cities.
 |
 | Interstate 90 Westbound (Northbound) routes toJanesville andMadison. Eastbound (Southbound) routes toRockford, Illinois. This is a full interstate grade freeway that runs on the east side of the city, although the I-90 is overall a west–east interstate the section in Beloit runs north–south. |
 | Interstate 39 runs entirely concurrently with Interstate 90 through the city of Beloit. |
 | Interstate 43 terminates at I-90/39 in Beloit, it routes Northbound toMilwaukee |
 | U.S. Route 51 runs through the center and partly the south side of the city. Northbound routes toJanesville,Madison, andWausau. Southbound routes toSouth Beloit, Illinois andRockford. |
Beloit Airport is a small public-usegeneral aviation airport within the city. It offers hangars for storing aircraft,gliders, and sky diving.Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport is a public airport north of Beloit in Rock County. Formerly known as Rock County Airport, it is owned and operated by the Rock County government. The airport has no scheduled commercial passenger service.Dane County Regional Airport andRockford International Airport are the closest airports to Beloit that offer scheduled airline service.
Van Galder offers express bus service via its South Beloit stop to Downtown Madison,Chicago O'Hare Airport andChicago Union Station as well as intermediate stops in Janesville and Rockford, this service runs approximately 14 buses a day in either direction 365 days a year.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)Internet Archive: Retrieved May 26, 2018
Places adjacent to Beloit, Wisconsin | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofRock County, Wisconsin,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Great Lakes megalopolis as defined by theRPA | ||
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Includes all metropolitan areas that have a population of 150,000 or greater according to the most recent national census. | ||
| Great Lakes region cities |  | |
| Surrounding cities |
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| Cities of states south of region | ||
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42°30′30″N89°01′54″W / 42.50833°N 89.03167°W /42.50833; -89.03167
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