Germantown

About Germantown

Germantown is a small village in southeastern Wisconsin, surrounding the tiny town that is also named Germantown. A significant percentage of its population is made up of young families, drawn by the friendly, small-town atmosphere that Germantown has to offer. Despite its small size, the village has earned national recognition from Money magazine as one of the most appealing places to live in the nation.

The History of Germantown

As its name implies, Germantown owes its founding to its early German settlers, who found a home here despite the thickly forested land and the lack of nearby cities and towns. It started as a 1-square-mile hamlet that offered a fresh start for settlers looking for a place to call their own. By the time it incorporated in 1924, German settlers and other residents had purchased every inch of available land in the area.

Originally called Town 9, Germantown also owes some of its early growth to the development of a landfill that was designed to serve Milwaukee County. Germantown residents worried that the county would continue to take chunks of Germantown until nothing remained, so they banded with several other hamlets in the area to form a single township. Germantown gained 24 square miles of land and has since added another 10 square miles.

This area is highly flexible, with boundaries shifting on a regular basis. Each community in and around Germantown has its own cultural identity, so many of them still go by the names they had before they consolidated. Early settlers used the town for farmland, growing wheat, barley, corn, oats, potatoes and other crops. Today, trade has expanded significantly to include many different areas of business and industry.

Living in Germantown

Germantown offers a wide range of amenities and assets to attract new residents. You'll discover that you can easily find all the everyday conveniences around town, including grocery stores, fitness centers and coffee shops. The community also hosts a local library, a variety of restaurants and several local parks. The regular farmers market provides a place to shop for local produce and baked goods, as well as a location in which to get to know your neighbors.

Another major factor in Germantown's desirability is its low crime rates. These already low rates have continued to drop year after year, making the village a very safe place to raise a family or live alone.

Germantown Schools

The Germantown School District manages the public schools in the village. If you prefer to enroll your child in a private school, the nearest campus is the Bethlehem Lutheran School.

Resources for Moving to Germantown

If you're planning a move to Germantown, the following information will be useful:

• Utilities: Germantown's primary utilities providers include We Energies and the village's utilities department.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recyclables are collected on a weekly basis, with your assigned collection day depending on your home's location. Yard waste is picked up on a seasonal basis.
• Transportation: Because Germantown is a small village, public transportation options are somewhat limited. However, the village does offer a senior citizen transportation service.

Germantown Housing

Houses in Germantown tend to hold their value, which makes this town an excellent place in which to purchase a home. Prices in the village are considerably higher than the state average, due in part to the many large, luxury homes found in the area. You can also find more affordable options, including apartments, town houses and single-family homes.