Moving to Silver Lake, Wisconsin

Silver Lake, Wisconsin is a small rural town located in the southeastern corner of the state. It is bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and Lake Michigan to the west. The town was founded in 1845 by settlers from New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts who were drawn to its proximity to water. As a result, it has become a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including fishing and boating.

The economy of Silver Lake is largely based on agriculture and tourism. Many local farms specialize in growing grains such as corn and soybeans. In addition, there are several dairy farms that produce milk for local consumption as well as for sale to nearby cities such as Milwaukee and Madison. Tourism is also an important part of Silver Lake’s economy, with visitors coming from all over the world to enjoy its natural beauty and recreational activities. The town boasts several popular attractions such as a lakefront boardwalk, scenic parks, and miles of trails for biking and hiking.

Silver Lake also has a rich cultural history that dates back centuries. It was once home to several Native American tribes who left behind artifacts that can still be seen in museums today. The town also features many historic buildings from its early days as a settlement in the 1800s including an old schoolhouse, churches, cemeteries, lighthouses and more. There are also several festivals throughout the year that celebrate this history including an annual Fourth of July celebration complete with fireworks over Silver Lake Beach.

Population: 2,341. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,513 (+7.3% change)
Males: 1,175 (50.2%), Females: 1,166 (49.8%)

Zip code: 53170

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.0 years
Median household income: $50,431
Median house value: $117,500

Population by Race

Races in Silver Lake:

  • White Non-Hispanic (95.3%)
  • Hispanic (3.1%)
  • Two or more races (1.5%)
  • American Indian (1.2%)
  • Other race (0.8%)

Ancestries: German (46.2%), Irish (14.1%), Polish (11.2%), Italian (7.6%), English (6.8%), Norwegian (5.5%).

Land area: 1.5 square miles

Population by Education

Silver Lake, Wisconsin is a small town located in Kenosha County. It is situated on the edge of the lake of the same name and has a population of approximately 1,500 people. The majority of Silver Lake’s population is made up of families, with a median age of 40 years old. The town has a strong sense of community and many local events take place throughout the year. The school system is well-regarded and provides excellent education for students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Residents enjoy all the amenities that come with living in a small town such as access to parks, public transportation, libraries, and more. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants in downtown Silver Lake for residents to explore. Additionally, there are several churches located within walking distance from downtown which serve as an important part of the local culture. In addition to these services, Silver Lake also offers several recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, swimming, hiking trails, horseback riding trails, golf courses, tennis courts and more. All these amenities combined make Silver Lake an ideal place for families who want to enjoy the beauty that comes with living in a rural area while having all the conveniences available in larger cities nearby.

For population 25 years and over in Silver Lake

  • High school or higher: 85.3%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.4%
  • Unemployed: 4.6%
  • Mean travel time to work: 30.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Silver Lake village

  • Never married: 22.2%
  • Now married: 55.9%
  • Separated: 2.5%
  • Widowed: 6.9%
  • Divorced: 12.5%

2.9% Foreign born (1.7% Europe, 0.6% Latin America, 0.4% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +483 (+26.0%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Silver Lake:

  • MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CORP OF BURLINGTON (about 11 miles; BURLINGTON, WI)
  • NORTHERN ILLINOIS MEDICAL CENTER (about 15 miles; MCHENRY, IL)
  • LAKEVIEW NEUROREHAB CTR MIDWEST 272 (about 18 miles; WATERFORD, WI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Silver Lake:

  • KENOSHA REGIONAL (about 18 miles; KENOSHA, WI; Abbreviation: ENW)
  • GENERAL MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL (about 33 miles; MILWAUKEE, WI; Abbreviation: MKE)
  • CHICAGO O’HARE INTL (about 45 miles; CHICAGO, IL; Abbreviation: ORD)

Other public-use airports nearest to Silver Lake:

  • CAMP LAKE (about 2 miles; CAMP LAKE, WI; Abbreviation: 49C)
  • WESTOSHA (about 5 miles; WILMOT, WI; Abbreviation: 5K6)
  • VINCENT (about 10 miles; GENOA CITY, WI; Abbreviation: 64C)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Silver Lake:

  • COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY (about 18 miles; GRAYSLAKE, IL; Full-time enrollment: 6,973)
  • GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 21 miles; KENOSHA, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,575)
  • MCHENRY COUNTY COLLEGE (about 23 miles; CRYSTAL LAKE, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,707)
  • WILLIAM RAINEY HARPER COLLEGE (about 32 miles; PALATINE, IL; Full-time enrollment: 8,229)
  • CARROLL COLLEGE (about 33 miles; WAUKESHA, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,332)
  • TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (about 34 miles; DEERFIELD, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,121)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE (about 35 miles; MILWAUKEE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 18,994)

Public primary/middle school in Silver Lake:

  • RIVERVIEW EL (Students: 598; Location: 300 PROSSER ST; Grades: KG – 08)