Richland

Formed January 1, 1842 (23^rd county)

Richland County (17,302), Richland Center (5,120)

The classic Romanesque Revival facility was constructed in 1890.  The courthouse is at the intersection of Seminary and Main streets.  United States Highway 14 is Main Street in this part of the town.  T. D. Allen provided the designs of the red brick and stone structure.  It features a tower and turrets.  Richland County was formed on January 1, 1842 from Iowa County as the 23^rd county and Richland Center has always been the county seat.  The county and county seat are geographical terms.  Richland County is the birthplace of 1 Wisconsin Governor, Vernon W. Thomson. 

Richland County government consists of a sheriff and 21 Supervisors.  One Circuit Court Judge and Two Municipal Court Judges serve Richland County.  The county is situated in southwest Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin River forms its southern border.  Madison, Wisconsin is east and Green Bay, Wisconsin is northeast of the county.  The county center is 4.1 miles North of Richland Center.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Sauk, Iowa, Grant, Crawford, and Vernon counties. 

The area of the county is 586.2 square miles.  It is 49 out of 72 in the state.  It ranks 57 out of 72 in population in the state.  It has a density of 29.5 persons per square mile making it 53 out of 72 in the state.  Richland County has 40.0% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 14 enters the county from the southeast, Sauk County, and exits to the northwest, Vernon County.  The county is a rectangular bowl on its head with a scoop taken out.  Richland Center is located in the southeast quarter of the county.  Richland Center is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 29.6% of the county population.