RICHLAND COUNTY
County Offices
181 West Seminary St
Richland Center 608-649-5926
www.co.richland.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
397 W Seminary St
Richland Center 608-649-3376
https://gorcchamber.com/
Richland Center
City Hall
450 South Main St
Richland Center 608-647-3466
www.ci.richland-center.wi.us
Richland County was established in 1842, and is home to more than 18,052. The county seat is located in Richland Center – the only incorporated City in the county and home to more than 5,000 residents. The county is home to more than 40 additional towns and villages that have populations ranging from less than 100 residents to almost 1000 residents.
Lifestyle
Situated just 60 miles west of Madison and 60 miles east of La Crosse, Richland County is a predominantly rural area that is located within in easy access of both metropolitan areas and all of their amenities. The county is home schools, a regional airport, local hospital and clinic, two-year College, a nearby technical school, many churches and excellent parks.
The area is home to varied recreational activities including: the lower Wisconsin River and its water based activities, the Scenic Highway for those leisurely country drives, more than 250 miles of trout streams and more than 130 miles of snowmobile trails, bike trails. In addition there are many parks and public lands awaiting explorations. All of this set in a surrounding of natural beauty.
Residents enjoy a variety of homes and lifestyles, from young families to baby boomers and downscaling seniors. Richland County offers a simpler way of life for families and those looking to enjoy a quieter lifestyle – within a short distance of urban amenities. The area boasts a wide array of housing designs, including the late 19th century Charles Craig House, a Queen Ann style home and the early 20th Century Fred H. Pratt House, known for its Prairie Schoolhouse design. Residents of the county can choose to live in everything from a modern home to a farmhouse from the last century and everything in between.
While the county may be rural in nature, the arts are alive and well in Richland County. The Richland Area Arts Council sponsors a calendar year full of workshops, events and exhibitions in order to advance the development and appreciation of the arts, while the Richland Concert Association delights audiences with classical performances throughout the year. The Community Players of Southwest Wisconsin present one summertime theatrical production, along with an annual Christmas play each December in partnership with the Richland County Performing Arts Council. Excellent theatre is also found at the UW-Richland Theatre, a campus-community theatre offering a fall and spring production each season. UW-Richland also hosts choral, band and orchestral concerts, as well.
Exciting community events are happening year round in the Richland County area. Country music is a favorite and is celebrated at Bear Valley Park’s Country in the Country, which features regional country music bands, and the Star Spangled Celebration, an exciting annual event featuring the most popular names in country and western music. Young rodeo enthusiasts participate in the Wisconsin High School Rodeo State Finals each year at the Richland County Fairgrounds. Among the attractions are Badger State Tractor Pullers, Tri County Mini Rods, Monster Trucks, Semi Trucks, Freestyle Dirt Bikes, American Mini Pullers and many others. Residents also enjoy the Center Color Fiesta in October, which celebrates the changing of the season with competitions, live entertainment, exhibitions and other activities.
Shoppers find all they need in Richland County and its closely surrounding communities. Local grocers supply foods of all kinds and convenience stores are filled with the everyday necessities. The area also hosts appliance stores, book shops, antique stores, galleries, woodwork shops, clothiers and retailers offering landscape and gardening products for those with a green thumb.
Richland Center’s downtown serves as a hub of activity for the entire community. Well-preserved historic architecture adorns the exterior of many downtown buildings, while inside shoppers will find a mix of retail items, ranging from antiques and gifts to modern artwork and home décor.
Services
The regional economy of Grant County is reliant on a diverse mix of businesses from small service companies to larger manufacturers. Residents will find a broad range of opportunities for employment in many fields.
Health care is a priority in the county and is well represented by an excellent full-service hospital, healthcare facilities and human service agencies that offer a continuum of care, resources and support to meet the physical, mental and developmental needs of the community. There are more than 25 physicians practicing in the area. Richland Hospital, an acute-care Critical Access hospital, supplies a comprehensive range of services to the local community and surrounding areas. The county area is home to excellent health and wellness resources. From dentists, optometrists and family practice physicians to senior services massage therapists and fitness and recreation centers, residents are afforded all the healthcare resources needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The county is a rural area with a tradition of excellence in education. Six public school districts and three private K-8 institutions serve our area. The county schools operate within the context of their unique and supportive communities to provide children with a solid foundation on which to build on a lifetime of success. Small classes and caring staff provide an environment to allow optimal learning experiences to give students a solid start. The Richland Center High School was designed to reflect the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and is located adjacent to the UW-Richland campus. The academic alliance between the schools allows students unique opportunities. Students are offered many choices to suit their interests and abilities.
The University of Wisconsin-Richland is a freshman-sophomore campus of the world-renowned University of Wisconsin. Students can earn an Associate of Arts & Sciences degree, which transfers to all UW campuses. The campus also offers lifelong learning opportunities to families and students. UW-Richland serves southwestern Wisconsin as a cultural center and provides a wide variety of non-credit outreach courses for people of all ages, from College for Kids to professional development opportunities for business and industry.
The Richland County area is brimming with excellent health and wellness resources. From dentists, optometrists and family practice physicians to senior services, massage therapists and fitness and recreation centers, residents are afforded all the healthcare resources needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Richland County and its many communities offer its residents and outstanding quality of life in quiet natural surroundings. Urban amenities are not far from home, but locals don’t need to leave to find what they need. Richland County is a great place to call home.
