Marquette County is a county in Wisconsin, United States, on the Mecan River in the state’s central sand country. It had a population of 15,592 at the 2020 census and covers 465 square miles (1,203 km2), including 8.7 square miles of water, centred near 43°49′N 89°23′W.
Montello is the county seat, and its postal code is 53949. The county has one city, four villages, three census-designated places, and 14 towns, and sits in the Central time zone (FIPS code 55077).
Towns & Villages in Marquette County
Marquette County has one incorporated city, four incorporated villages, three census-designated places (CDPs), and a scatter of unincorporated communities spread across its 14 towns. Montello, the seat, is the county’s only city. Endeavor, Neshkoro, Oxford, and Westfield are incorporated villages. Briggsville, Harrisville, and Packwaukee are CDPs — recognized by the Census Bureau for statistical purposes but not separately incorporated. The rest of the entries below are unincorporated communities.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montello | City · seat | — | — | 53949 |
| Endeavor | Village | — | — | 53930 |
| Neshkoro | Village | — | — | 54960 |
| Oxford | Village | — | — | 53952 |
| Westfield | Village | — | — | 53964 |
| Briggsville | CDP | — | — | 53920 |
| Harrisville | CDP | Harris | — | — |
| Packwaukee | CDP | Packwaukee | — | 53953 |
| Anacker | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Budsin | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Buffalo Shore Estates | Unincorp. | Buffalo | — | — |
| Douglas Center | Unincorp. | Douglas | — | — |
| Germania | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Glen Oak | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Lawrence | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Mecan | Unincorp. | Mecan | — | — |
Harrisville sits within the Town of Harris, and Packwaukee CDP within the Town of Packwaukee — the community and the township that contains it share a name, a common pattern in this part of Wisconsin.
Townships
Marquette County is divided into 14 towns, the New England-style civil townships that provide local government outside the incorporated city and villages. Verified 2020 census figures are available for two; the others are omitted here pending confirmation rather than estimated.
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 1,389 | Buffalo Shore Estates |
| Crystal Lake | 452 | — |
| Douglas | — | Douglas Center |
| Harris | — | Harrisville |
| Marquette | — | — |
| Mecan | — | Mecan |
| Moundville | — | — |
| Newton | — | — |
| Packwaukee | — | Packwaukee |
| Shields | — | — |
| Springfield | — | — |
Three of the county’s 14 towns are not listed above; their names were not confirmed in the sources checked for this profile.
ZIP Codes
- 53949 — Montello (also serves the surrounding Town of Montello)
- 53930 — Endeavor
- 53920 — Briggsville
- 53952 — Oxford
- 53953 — Packwaukee (PO Box delivery only)
- 53964 — Westfield
- 54960 — Neshkoro
Marquette County has seven ZIP codes in all; smaller unincorporated communities such as Anacker, Budsin, and Mecan use the postal address of the nearest post office town rather than a ZIP code of their own.
Geography
Marquette County lies in Wisconsin’s central sand country, a flat-to-gently-rolling landscape of glacial outwash plains, marsh, and low ridges. The Mecan River, a state-designated wild river, crosses the county’s north side, and the Fox River system’s Buffalo Lake and Puckaway Lake span the south, both popular for walleye and panfishing. A low rocky rise locally known as Mt. Shaw is the county’s high point. Land makes up 456 of the county’s 465 square miles; the remaining 8.7 square miles is water.
Marquette County borders Waushara County to the north, Green Lake County to the east, Columbia County to the south, and Adams County to the west.
Demographics
Marquette County had 15,592 residents at the 2020 census, giving a density of roughly 34 people per square mile of land. Montello and Westfield are the county’s two largest incorporated places. The Census Bureau lists Wisconsin’s median household income at $74,631; a verified county-specific figure was not available for this profile, so no direct comparison is drawn here.
Economy & Local Life
Tourism, recreation, and agriculture anchor the local economy. The county’s lakes, the Mecan River, and its state wildlife and natural areas draw seasonal residents and anglers, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has classified Marquette County as a high-recreation retirement destination. Cranberry marshes and other specialty agriculture operate on the sandier ground toward the west and south of the county.
History
Marquette County was created from Wisconsin Territory in 1836 and organized as a functioning county government in 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state. It is named for the French Jesuit missionary and explorer Jacques Marquette. Naturalist John Muir settled in the county with his family in 1849; the Muir family’s Fountain Lake Farm site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Getting There
State Highway 22 and State Highway 23 are the county’s main routes, with State Highway 21 crossing the south end near Packwaukee. Approximate distances from Montello:
- Portage — 25 miles south
- Wisconsin Dells — 25 miles southwest
- Wautoma — 20 miles north
- Ripon — 30 miles east
The nearest commercial airport is Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, about 60 miles to the south.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Marquette County, Wisconsin?
It is in the state’s central sand country, bordered by Waushara, Green Lake, Columbia, and Adams counties.
What is the population of Marquette County?
15,592 people, per the 2020 census.
How big is Marquette County?
465 square miles (1,203 km2), of which 8.7 square miles is water.
What is the Marquette County seat?
Montello is the county seat.
How many towns and villages are in Marquette County?
One city (Montello), four villages (Endeavor, Neshkoro, Oxford, and Westfield), three census-designated places, and 14 towns.
What ZIP codes are in Marquette County?
53949, 53920, 53930, 53952, 53953, 53964, and 54960.
Who is Marquette County named after?
French Jesuit missionary and explorer Jacques Marquette.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Wisconsin.