Fort Atkinson ZIP Codes — Jefferson County, WI

There is one unique ZIP code in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and it is 53538. Area code: 920/262.
1
ZIP codes
97.12
sq mi land
16.98
sq mi water
920/262
area code
Fort Atkinson, WI ZIP code map

About Fort Atkinson, WI

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, is a charming city located in Jefferson County. Known for its rich history and vibrant community, it offers a unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. The city attracts visitors with its scenic beauty and numerous recreational opportunities.

Location & geography

Fort Atkinson is situated in southeastern Wisconsin, approximately 35 miles east of Madison and 70 miles southwest of Milwaukee. The city encompasses a land area of 97.12 square miles, along with 16.98 square miles of water, contributing to its picturesque landscape. The nearby Bark River enhances the terrain, offering residents and visitors beautiful waterfront views and outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community of Fort Atkinson is known for its friendly atmosphere and engaged residents, which contributes to a strong sense of belonging. Industries such as manufacturing and agriculture play a vital role in the local economy, while various shops and restaurants add to daily life. Festivals and local events create a vibrant cultural scene, attracting both residents and tourists throughout the year.

Transportation

Major highways such as U.S. Route 12 and Wisconsin Highway 26 provide convenient access to Fort Atkinson, linking it to adjacent cities and regions. The closest airport is the Dane County Regional Airport, located about 30 miles away in Madison. Public transit options are limited, encouraging residents to rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Fort Atkinson was founded in the early 19th century as a military outpost during the Black Hawk War, emphasizing its historical significance. Key industries at that time included agriculture and manufacturing, which laid the foundation for the city's economic development. Notable events in the city's history include the establishment of the Fort Atkinson Historical Society, which preserves the local heritage and history.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Fort Atkinson is that it is home to the original site of the Fort Atkinson Military Post, which was crucial during the westward expansion of the United States. Additionally, the city hosts the annual 'Home Talent Baseball' tournament, attracting teams and spectators from around the region.

ZIP codes for Fort Atkinson, WI (1)
ZIP code City County Map
53538 Fort Atkinson Jefferson View map

Demographics & statistics

18,535
Population
43.6
Median age
$77,530
Median household income
$39,191
Per capita income
$221,200
Median home value
$997
Median monthly rent
76.6%
Home ownership
6.4%
Poverty rate
2.7%
Unemployment
6,648
Housing units
26.8%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
367
Under 5
350
518
5–9
494
632
10–14
602
570
15–19
543
512
20–24
489
1,086
25–34
1,036
1,201
35–44
1,145
1,241
45–54
1,184
839
55–59
800
791
60–64
754
1,012
65–74
965
528
75–84
504
190
85+
182
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 183,80820.5%
18 and over14,72779.5%
65 and over3,38118.2%
Median age43.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.4%
Hispanic or Latino 6.2%
Other race 3.9%
Two or more races 3.7%
Black or African American 0.3%
Asian 0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%
GroupCount%
White16,87285.4%
Hispanic or Latino1,2296.2%
Other race7773.9%
Two or more races7413.7%
Black or African American550.3%
Asian500.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander250.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native150.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.1%
$10k–$15k 3.1%
$15k–$25k 6.0%
$25k–$35k 7.8%
$35k–$50k 11.6%
$50k–$75k 17.4%
$75k–$100k 14.5%
$100k–$150k 21.6%
$150k–$200k 10.1%
$200k+ 5.6%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.1%
$10k–$15k3.1%
$15k–$25k6.0%
$25k–$35k7.8%
$35k–$50k11.6%
$50k–$75k17.4%
$75k–$100k14.5%
$100k–$150k21.6%
$150k–$200k10.1%
$200k+5.6%
Median income$77,530

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.3%
$50k–$100k 2.4%
$100k–$150k 11.5%
$150k–$200k 26.1%
$200k–$300k 30.2%
$300k–$500k 21.3%
$500k–$1M 5.9%
$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$221,200
Median rent / month$997
Owner occupied76.6%
Renter occupied23.4%
Vacant8.7%
Single-family detached75.5%
Large apartment buildings2.9%
Mobile homes1.9%
Median rooms6.2
Avg household size (owned)2.45

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20193.9%
2000–200911.1%
1990–199913.5%
1980–19897.7%
1970–197914.3%
1960–19697.3%
1950–195916.4%
1940–19495.3%
1939 or earlier20.6%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.8%
1 bedroom5.5%
2 bedrooms26.2%
3 bedrooms44.1%
4 bedrooms19.7%
5+ bedrooms2.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle4.4%
1 vehicle26.4%
2 vehicles43.5%
3 or more25.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas69.5%
Electricity17.0%
Propane / LP gas10.3%
Fuel oil0.9%
Wood1.6%
Solar0.1%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family4,02752.2%
Cohabiting couple7179.3%
Male householder, no spouse1,33517.3%
Female householder, no spouse1,63421.2%
Households with children under 181,84824.0%
Households with seniors (65+)2,55533.1%
Average household size2.36

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married31.9%26.9%
Married54.4%52.0%
Separated1.0%0.1%
Widowed2.4%9.2%
Divorced10.4%11.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.1%
Some HS, no diploma 4.4%
HS graduate 32.9%
Some college, no degree 20.8%
Associate's degree 10.9%
Bachelor's degree 18.2%
Graduate / professional 8.6%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher91.5%
Bachelor's or higher26.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool2005.0%
Kindergarten1824.6%
Elementary school1,75144.0%
High school1,11328.0%
College / grad school73618.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.4%
Manufacturing 14.7%
Arts, food & hospitality 10.2%
Retail trade 9.9%
Construction 8.3%
Professional & management 8.0%
Transportation & utilities 4.9%
Other services 4.1%
Public administration 4.1%
Wholesale trade 3.5%
Information 3.3%
Finance & real estate 3.0%
Agriculture & mining 2.5%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts34.7%
Service21.9%
Sales & office15.6%
Natural resources & construction10.4%
Production & transportation17.4%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector80.5%
Government13.4%
Self-employed5.9%
Unpaid family workers0.1%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone81.3%
Carpool5.9%
Public transit0.4%
Walk2.5%
Other means2.7%
Avg commute (minutes)21.6

Poverty

All people 6.4%
Under 18 years 7.2%
18 and over 6.2%
Married-couple families 1.9%
Female-led households 22.8%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security36.2%
Retirement income27.3%
Supplemental Security3.1%
Cash public assistance1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP7.9%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure30.3%
High cholesterol33.0%
Heart disease6.1%
Stroke2.9%
Asthma9.7%
Arthritis25.1%
Kidney disease2.8%
Pulmonary disease6.3%
Cancer7.1%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking25.0%
No physical activity21.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep32.1%
Fair or poor health12.3%
Poor mental health13.4%
Poor physical health9.9%
No health insurance11.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)72.5%
Visited dentist67.4%
Cholesterol screening87.5%
Teeth loss12.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans8415.7%
Disability%
Any disability11.8%
Under 184.1%
18–64 years10.2%
65 and over26.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance78.5%
Public insurance32.3%
Uninsured under 191.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only17,81896.1%
Spanish4962.8%
Other Indo-European4422.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander240.1%
Other languages170.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)17,76195.8%
Born in same state17,71395.6%
Born in different state13,92475.1%
Foreign born480.3%
Naturalized citizen7744.2%
Not a US citizen21627.9%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian2,13211.5%
Polish1,5368.3%
French1,4537.8%
Arab4612.5%
English2331.3%
AncestryCount%
German1100.6%
Dutch610.3%
Irish400.2%
Norwegian50%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access41.6%
Internet access93.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Fort Atkinson, WI have?
Fort Atkinson, WI has one ZIP code: 53538. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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