Belgium (town), Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Town of Belgium, Wisconsin
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Location of Town of Belgium in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Ozaukee |
| Incorporated | 1848 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.8 sq mi (95.3 km2) |
| • Land | 35.7 sq mi (92.6 km2) |
| • Water | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 774 ft (236 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 1,513 |
| • Density | 42.3/sq mi (16.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 262 |
Belgium is a town in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,513 at the 2000 census. The Village of Belgium is surrounded on all sides by the town, and the unincorporated communities of Decker, Holy Cross, Lake Church, and Sauk Trail Beach are located in the town, as is the ghost town of Stonehaven. The unincorporated community of Dacada is also partially located in the town. The ghost town of Stonehaven is also located in the town.
Beginning in the 1840s, immigrant farmers from Luxembourg settled in the towns of Northern Ozaukee County, including Belgium. Their centers of settlement in the Town of Belgium included the hamlets of Dacada, Holy Cross, and Lake Church, as well as the settlement that would eventually become the Village of Belgium, which incorporated from some of the town's land in 1922. The Town of Belgium is a primarily agricultural community with over 18,000 acres of farmland — the largest amount in any Ozaukee County community.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.8 square miles (95.3 km²), of which, 35.7 square miles (92.6 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.7 km²) of it (2.88%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2009, there were 2,008 people, 547 households, and 421 families residing in the town. The population density was 42.3 people per square mile (16.3/km2). There were 631 housing units at an average density of 17.7 per square mile (6.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.02% White, 0.07% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.40% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 547 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $57,865, and the median income for a family was $62,500. Males had a median income of $42,083 versus $26,875 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,746. About 1.6% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.5% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Town of Belgium is served by three school districts: the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District, the Northern Ozaukee School District, and the Random Lake School District. Students in the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District attend Cedar Grove-Belgium Elementary School for kindergarten through fourth grade, Cedar Grove-Belgium Middle School for fifth through eighth grades, and Cedar Grove-Belgium High School for ninth through twelfth grades. All of the district's schools are located in Cedar Grove, Sheboygan County, north of the Town of Belgium. Students in the Northern Ozaukee School District, which also serves the villages of Fredonia and Newburg as well as parts of the towns of Fredonia and Saukville, attend Ozaukee Elementary School for kindergarten through fifth grade, Ozaukee Middle School for sixth through eighth grades, and Ozaukee High School for grades nine through twelve. Students in the Random Lake School District attend Random Lake Elementary School for kindergarten through fourth grade, Random Lake Middle School for fifth through eighth grades, and Random Lake High School for ninth through twelfth grades.
Transportation
Interstate 43 runs north-south through the eastern part of the town with access via Exit 107.
Ozaukee County Transit Services' Shared Ride Taxi provides a public transit option for Belgium residents. The taxis operate seven days a week and make connections to Washington County Transit and Milwaukee County Routes 12, 49 and 42u. Unlike a typical taxi, however, the rider must contact the service ahead of time to schedule their pick-up date and time. The taxi service plans their routes based on the number of riders, pick-up/drop-off time and destination then plans the routes accordingly.
The Ozaukee Interurban Trail, which is for pedestrian and bicycle use, passes through Belgium and connects the town to the neighboring communities of Port Washington and Cedar Grove, and continues north to Oostburg and south to Milwaukee County.
The Union Pacific Railroad operates a freight rail line running parallel to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, but Belgium currently does not have a passenger train station.
Notable people
- Fred L. Feierstein, Wisconsin state legislator, lived in the town.
- John J. Jungers, Wisconsin state legislator, was born in the town.
- Louis L. Pierron, Wisconsin state legislator, was born in the town.
See also
In Spanish: Belgium (condado de Ozaukee, Wisconsin) para niños
