POPULATION: There are about 650 year 'round residents. Summer poplulation estimates have ranged from 4,000 to 10,000 on a big weekend like the 4th of July.

SIZE: The Island is about 7 miles by 4 miles. The actual area according to Data Processing in the the Door County Courthouse is 22.469 square miles or 14,380.7 acres. There are about 65 miles of road on the Island.

DISTANCES: Washington Island is approx.270 miles from Chicago, 180 miles from Milwaukee, 90 miles from Green Bay, 45 miles from Sturgeon Bay.

GOVERNMENT: Washington Island, Rock Island and Detroit Island make up the Town of Washington. There is a Town Board that includes a Chairman  (Washington Island was the first in Door County to have a woman Town Chairman!) and four Supervisors. The Town Office is located in the Community Center on Main Road. A note of interest: Washington Island was the first township in Door County to have a woman Town Chairman! (See our link to Island government)

SCHOOLS: Washington Island School houses Preschool and Kindergarten through 12th grade. Average class size on the Island is 3-6 students. (See our link to Island Schooll)

ELECTRICITY: There is a local Rural Electric Plant (REA) but the Island is serviced with electrical power via a submarine cable from the mainland. The local plant is used when there are outages from the mainland plant.

WELLS/SEPTIC SYSTEMS: Island homes and businesses are serviced by private wells and septic systems. A well driller travels to the Island to drill wells. There are septic system installers available on the Island.

MEDICAL: The Island Medical Clinic is located in the Community Center on Main Road.  The Island has two ambulances and trained Emergency Medical Technicians. Emergencies are handled by the EMT's the Island clinic, or if necessary, patients are transported by ferry, Coast Guard boat, or helicopter to a mainland hospital. NOTE: FOR ANY MEDICAL EMERGENCY, DIAL 9-1-1.

FIRE SAFETY: There is an active Washington Island Volunteer Fire Department with up-to-date training and equipment. NOTE: FOR ANY FIRE EMERGENCY, DIAL 9-1-1.

POLICE: The Island has its own Police Department. FOR ANY POLICE EMERGENCY, DIAL 9-1-1.

VET: During the summer months there are two Vets that make visits to the Island. If care is necessary in between visits, there are vets in the county to provide service.

AIRPORT: There is a grass runway that is usable all year round. The runways are kept mowed in the summer and plowed in the winter. There is a local EAA Chapter and an active Flying Club on the Island. There is a courtesy car at the airport for pilots.

CHURCHES: There are several denominations that meet regularly. There are two churches on the Island: Trinity Lutheran Church on Townline Road and Bethel Evangelical Free Church on Main Road. A chapel, across the road from Trinity and built by Trinity, is a replica of Norway churches and it is called the Stavekirke.

RECREATION CENTER: The Washington Island Recreation Center was a gift to the Island from John and Jane Mosling in 1986. Groundbreaking was held in June 1987 and the facility was officially opened in the spring of 1988. There is a swimming pool, hot tub, exercise room, community room/game room, plus outdoor tennis courts were added. Visitors can purchase short-term passes to use the facility.

ACTIVITES FOR ANY AGE: There are many active organizations that sponsor special events during the year, particularly during the summer months. Check local bulletin boards and the local newspaper for events for all ages. We have our own "Little Lake" and "Little Mountain". The Mountain Park has steps and a lookout tower for visitors to climb and enjoy expansive views. The Community Center houses a Public Library (books, videos, DVD's, computers and high speed internet inside and outside), children's summer reading program. The Community Center also houses the Washington Island Archives. The Jackson Harbor Maritime Museum and the Jacobsen Museum, the Art and Nature Center, the Red Barn Programs are some of the places to visit and check out for special activities.

BEACHES and PUBLIC PARKS: Town Parks include the Sand Dunes Beach, Schoolhouse Beach, and People's Park, and the Gislason's Beach (by the Red Barn). Also at the Red Barn area is a children's playground and walking paths. A county park named after Island resident, Percy Johnson, is located at the east end of Lakeview Road. Rock Island State Park can be reached by boat from the state dock in Jackson Harbor. There are also large public nature preserves: the Jackson Harbor Ridges and Carlin's Point that offer walking paths and shorefront; the Richter Community Forest.

OTHER: There is a branch office of Baylake Bank, a Post Office, a local newspaper office  (The Washington Island Observer), motels, B & B's, restaurants, hardware, lumber, and grocery stores, gift and book shops, marinas and more.