Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Elkhart Lake is a village
in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
, United States
, located within the northwestern part of the county within the Town of Rhine
. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Elkhart Lake may be best known for hosting road races on public county roads during the 1950s, later moving to a dedicated race track called Road America
, which is located a few miles south of the village.
. The Scenic Drive was part of the road racing circuit used in the 1950s. Wisconsin Highway 67 runs north/south through the city. Secondary routes include County Highway A from the northeast. County Highway J runs concurrent with the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive through the city. They enter the city from the northwest, run north/south through the center of the city, and exit to the southwest.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,021 people, 436 households, and 292 families residing in the village. The population density
was 790.5 people per square mile (305.6/km²). There were 599 housing units at an average density of 463.8 per square mile (179.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.73% White, 0.10% Asian, 0.39% from other races
, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.
There were 436 households out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples
living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the village the population was spread out with 18.0% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $56,538, and the median income for a family was $60,694. Males had a median income of $37,708 versus $26,776 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $27,873. About 0.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.
was built in 1955 with the first racing being held on September 10 & 11, 1955. Each year, Road America holds over 425 events, one of most popular being the Kohler International Challenge
in July. The economic impact from the track, its events, and visitors is estimated at $70 million annually.
, Road & Track
holds a race car Concours d'Elegance
in the village. This draws a large crowd as people line the streets from Road America
to the shore of Elkhart Lake watching the cars drive past on their way to downtown Elkhart Lake. The cars park in the streets of Elkhart Lake, mainly on Lake Street, where curious visitors, car enthuisiasts, and other racers alike walk up and down the streets looking at the cars. As the concourse comes to a close, Road & Track announces the winner of various awards including the best-looking car award. The cars return to the track around 7:30 pm, just before the sun sets because many of the cars do not have headlights.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, located within the northwestern part of the county within the Town of Rhine
Rhine, Wisconsin
Rhine is a town in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,244 at the 2000 census. The village of Elkhart Lake is located within the town...
. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
-Airport:Sheboygan is served by the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, which is located several miles from the city.-Roads:Interstate 43 is the primary north-south transportation route into Sheboygan, and forms the west boundary of the city. U.S...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Elkhart Lake may be best known for hosting road races on public county roads during the 1950s, later moving to a dedicated race track called Road America
Road America
Road America is a road course located near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Wisconsin Highway 67. It has hosted races since the 1950s and currently hosts races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series , American Le Mans , SCCA Speed World Challenge Series, ASRA, and AMA Superbike series.- Current track and...
, which is located a few miles south of the village.
Transportation
Elkhart Lake is located approximately one mile southeast of the northern terminus of the Kettle Moraine Scenic DriveKettle Moraine Scenic Drive
The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive is a designated scenic route in southeastern Wisconsin that links the two units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest...
. The Scenic Drive was part of the road racing circuit used in the 1950s. Wisconsin Highway 67 runs north/south through the city. Secondary routes include County Highway A from the northeast. County Highway J runs concurrent with the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive through the city. They enter the city from the northwest, run north/south through the center of the city, and exit to the southwest.
Geography
Elkhart Lake is located at 43°49′55"N 88°1′3"W (43.832057, -88.017440).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,021 people, 436 households, and 292 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 790.5 people per square mile (305.6/km²). There were 599 housing units at an average density of 463.8 per square mile (179.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.73% White, 0.10% Asian, 0.39% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.
There were 436 households out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the village the population was spread out with 18.0% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $56,538, and the median income for a family was $60,694. Males had a median income of $37,708 versus $26,776 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $27,873. About 0.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.
Racing
Racing at Elkhart Lake dates back to the 1950s. The very first races were held on July 23, 1950 on a 3.35 mile road circuit north of the lake. These first races were very successful for the time, drawing a crowd of over 5,000. Races were originally held on a street circuit that ran around the Lake with the start/finish line in the village. In 1951 and 1952, races were held on a new 6.5 mile circuit that circumvented the Lake. The 1951 races drew an estimated crowd of 50,000 spectators and the 1952 races saw an estimated crowd of over 100,000 people. The 1952 races would be the last races held on the open road circuit. Three years later, a new, specially designed track was built south of the village. Road AmericaRoad America
Road America is a road course located near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Wisconsin Highway 67. It has hosted races since the 1950s and currently hosts races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series , American Le Mans , SCCA Speed World Challenge Series, ASRA, and AMA Superbike series.- Current track and...
was built in 1955 with the first racing being held on September 10 & 11, 1955. Each year, Road America holds over 425 events, one of most popular being the Kohler International Challenge
Kohler International Challenge
The Kohler Internation Challenge with Brian Redman or the KIC is one of the largest vintage road races in the United States. It is held at Road America during the third weekend in July and has been sanctioned by the SVRA since 2006...
in July. The economic impact from the track, its events, and visitors is estimated at $70 million annually.
Concours d'Elegance
Every July, during the Kohler International ChallengeKohler International Challenge
The Kohler Internation Challenge with Brian Redman or the KIC is one of the largest vintage road races in the United States. It is held at Road America during the third weekend in July and has been sanctioned by the SVRA since 2006...
, Road & Track
Road & Track
Road & Track is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, and is published monthly. The editorial offices are located in Newport Beach, California.-History:...
holds a race car Concours d'Elegance
Concours d'Elegance
A Concours d'Elegance dates back to 17th Century French aristocracy, who paraded horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris during Summer weekends and holidays...
in the village. This draws a large crowd as people line the streets from Road America
Road America
Road America is a road course located near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Wisconsin Highway 67. It has hosted races since the 1950s and currently hosts races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series , American Le Mans , SCCA Speed World Challenge Series, ASRA, and AMA Superbike series.- Current track and...
to the shore of Elkhart Lake watching the cars drive past on their way to downtown Elkhart Lake. The cars park in the streets of Elkhart Lake, mainly on Lake Street, where curious visitors, car enthuisiasts, and other racers alike walk up and down the streets looking at the cars. As the concourse comes to a close, Road & Track announces the winner of various awards including the best-looking car award. The cars return to the track around 7:30 pm, just before the sun sets because many of the cars do not have headlights.