Jefferson County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 84,900. Jefferson County comprises the Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI Combined Statistical Area.
History
Jefferson County was created in 1836 as part of Wisconsin Territory and was organized in 1839. Jefferson County was founded by "Yankee" settlers from New England. It was named after Jefferson County, New York, where some of the original settlers came from. The town of Watertown was named after Watertown, New York, in Jefferson County.
Geography
thumb|right|Soils of Jefferson County
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (4.5%) is water.
Major highways
- 20px Interstate 94
- 20px U.S. Highway 12
- 20px U.S. Highway 18
- 20px Wisconsin Highway 16
- 20px Wisconsin Highway 19
- 20px Wisconsin Highway 26
- 20px Wisconsin Highway 59
- 20px Wisconsin Highway 89
- 20px Wisconsin Highway 106
- 20px Wisconsin Highway 134
Railroads
- Amtrak
- Canadian Pacific
- Union Pacific
- Wisconsin and Southern Railroad
Buses
Airports
- Watertown Municipal Airport (KRYV) provides services for the county and surrounding communities.
- Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport (61C), enhances county service.
Adjacent counties
- Dodge County - north
- Waukesha County - east
- Walworth County - southeast
- Rock County - southwest
- Dane County - west