Grafton, Wisconsin

History

Grafton was originally called Hamburg. A post office called Hamburgh was established in 1844. The origin of the name Grafton is obscure.

Geography

Grafton is located at 43°19′4″N 87°57′14″W (43.317904, -87.954113).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 5.10 square miles (13.21 km²), of which 5.06 square miles (13.11 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water.

The Milwaukee River flows south through the center of Grafton. Wisconsin Highway 60 (Washington Avenue) crosses the river in downtown Grafton.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 11,459 people, 4,863 households, and 3,192 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,264.6 inhabitants per square mile (874.4/km²). There were 5,125 housing units at an average density of 1,012.8 per square mile (391.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.5% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 4,863 households of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the village was 40.7 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.8% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,312 people, 4,048 households, and 2,878 families residing in the village. (As of January 1, 2009, the population is 11,470.) The population density was 2,552.0 people per square mile (985.5/km²). There were 4,165 housing units at an average density of 1,030.8 per square mile (398.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.72% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 1.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,048 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the village, the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $53,918, and the median income for a family was $65,825. Males had a median income of $45,451 versus $27,488 for females. The per capita income for the village was $25,948. About 0.6% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Grafton is served by two main highways: Interstate 43 and Wisconsin Highway 60.

Public transit is provided by a commuter express bus (Route 143) to Milwaukee with two stops in Grafton. The bus, which operates Monday through Friday, is run jointly by Milwaukee County and Ozaukee County. Ozaukee County also offers a Shared Ride Taxi service, which runs daily, and makes connections to Washington County Transit and Milwaukee County Routes 12, 49 and 42u.

The Ozaukee Interurban Trail is for multi-modal (non-motor) use including pedestrian and cycling. It runs through Grafton and connects to Sheboygan County and to Brown Deer Trails via the former Milwaukee-Sheboygan Passenger Rail line.

Primary and secondary education

Grafton is served by both the Grafton School District and the Cedarburg School District. The village has one high school, Grafton High School. Grafton also has Catholic and Lutheran K-8 schools.

Post-secondary education

Grafton is in the Milwaukee Area Technical College District, whose nearest campus is located in Mequon.

Notable businesses

Notable people