Editing Beloit, Wisconsin

{{About|the city|the adjacent town|Beloit (town), Wisconsin}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Beloit, Wisconsin
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Wisconsin|City]]
| image_skyline      = Downtown Beloit, Wisconsin.jpg
| image_caption      = Downtown Beloit
| image_flag         = BeloitFlag.jpg
| image_seal         = 
| nickname           = "Gateway To Wisconsin"
| image_map          = File:Rock County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Beloit Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 260px
| map_caption        = Location of Beloit in Rock County, Wisconsin
| pushpin_map        = Wisconsin#USA
| pushpin_label      = Beloit
| pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| subdivision_type   = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Wisconsin|County]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Wisconsin}}
| subdivision_name2  = [[Rock County, Wisconsin|Rock]]
| leader_title       = City manager
| leader_name        = Jerry Gabrielatos
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_55.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 45.73
| area_land_km2      = 44.89
| area_water_km2     = 0.84
| area_total_sq_mi   = 17.66
| area_land_sq_mi    = 17.33
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.33
<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total   = 36657
| population_density_sq_mi = 2115.0
| population_density_km2 = 
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020-census-5506500" />
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_metro   = 163687
| area_code          = [[Area code 608|608]], [[Area code 353|353]]
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]](s)
| postal_code        = 53511, 53512
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| coordinates        = {{coord|42|30|30|N|89|01|54|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1836
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = February 24, 1846 (village)<br />March 31, 1856 (city)
| elevation_m        = 228.9
| elevation_ft       = 751
| website            = [http://www.beloitwi.gov/ beloitwi.gov]
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 55-06500
}}
'''Beloit''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ə|ˈ|l|ɔɪ|t|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Beloit.wav}} {{respell|bə|LOYT}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://misspronouncer.com/cities/|title=Cities -|accessdate=September 9, 2023}}</ref> is a city in [[Rock County, Wisconsin]], United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 36,657 people.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid%3DDEC_10_DP_DPDP1%26prodType%3Dtable |title=American FactFinder - Results |access-date=April 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305164937/http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table |archive-date=March 5, 2014 }}</ref> Beloit is a principal city of the [[Janesville, Wisconsin|Janesville]]–Beloit [[metropolitan statistical area]] (Rock County) and is included in the [[Madison metropolitan area|Madison–Janesville–Beloit combined statistical area]].

==History==
[[File:Postcard of Carnegie Beloit Public Library, Beloit, Wis. - DPLA - f5500aa266e05230fef480f5f28299bf.pdf|thumb|alt=Front: Picture of Carnegie Beloit Public Library. Back: Addressed to Public Library Columbus, GA|Postcard of Carnegie Beloit Public Library, Beloit, Wis.]]

Twelve men in [[Colebrook, New Hampshire]] created the "New England Emigrating Company" in October 1836, and sent Horace White to find a suitable region of Wisconsin in which to settle. The level fields and the water power of Turtle Creek and "unlimited gravel" in the area around what is now Beloit fixed the site of the village and farms. White purchased the land. At the same time as the Colebrook settlers, six families from [[Bedford, New Hampshire]], arrived and settled in the region. They said the Rock River Valley had a "New England look" that made them feel at home. The village was platted in 1838 and was planned with wide streets, building on the [[New England]] model.

Beloit was originally named New Albany (after [[Albany, Vermont]]) in 1837 by its founder, Caleb Blodgett. The name was changed to Beloit in 1838.<ref name="Callary">Callary, Edward. 2009. ''Place Names of Illinois''. Champaign: University of Illinois Press, p. 326.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Frank Blodgett Dies at Age 82 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/921720/death_of_frank_blodgett_18661949/|newspaper=Janesville Daily Gazette|date=March 21, 1949|page=1|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = August 26, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref> The name was [[Neologism|coined]] to be reminiscent of [[Detroit]].<ref name="Callary"/>
 
Beloit lays claim to such inventions as the [[speedometer]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earlyaviators.com/ewarner.htm|title=Arthur P. Warner|first=Ralph S. Cooper|last=D.V.M.|website=www.earlyaviators.com|access-date=June 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517101749/http://www.earlyaviators.com/ewarner.htm|archive-date=May 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> John Francis Appleby's [[twine binder]],<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2884&keyword=appleby Appleby, John Francis 1840 - 1917<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210190717/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2884&keyword=appleby |date=February 10, 2009 }}</ref> and Korn Kurls, which resemble [[Cheetos]], and the original puffed cheese snack.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thisisbeloit.com/portfolios/remember/|title=REMEMBER - This Is Beloit {{!}}|newspaper=This Is Beloit {{!}}|language=en-US|access-date=February 1, 2017|archive-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522141634/http://thisisbeloit.com/|url-status=bot: unknown}}[[Internet Archive]]:     Retrieved May 26, 2018</ref><ref>''[[Atlas Obscura]]'': [https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-cheese-curl-junk-foods-happiest-accident Brief History of the Cheese Curl] Retrieved May 26, 2018</ref>

===Railroad heritage===
Beloit was served by the [[Milwaukee Road]], and the [[Chicago & North Western Railroad]] (C&NW). In its 1980 bankruptcy, the Milwaukee Road disposed of the Southwestern Line. The [[Union Pacific]], which took over the C&NW, operates in Beloit today over a remnant of the former Milwaukee Road, providing a rail connection to [[Fairbanks-Morse]] Engine manufacturing facility.{{clarify|date=June 2012}} The [[CPKC]] operates other trackage in Beloit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glenviewcreek.com/beloit.html|title=Beloit, WI, Operations|website=www.glenviewcreek.com|access-date=June 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115203625/http://www.glenviewcreek.com/beloit.html|archive-date=November 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The city also had an electric interurban railroad.{{when|date=December 2013}}

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|17.66|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|17.33|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.33|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="gaz2020">{{cite web|title=2020 Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.2020.html |website=census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2022}}</ref> Location: {{Coord|42|30|30|N|89|01|54|W|type:city}}.

The city is adjacent to the [[Beloit (town), Wisconsin|Town of Beloit]], [[Turtle, Wisconsin|Town of Turtle]], and the [[Illinois]] municipality of [[South Beloit, Illinois|South Beloit]], and is also Wisconsin's southernmost city.

Most of Beloit's development is occurring on the east side, adjacent to [[Interstate 39|Interstates 39]]/[[Interstate 90|90]] and [[Interstate 43]], where the city [[Municipal annexation in the United States|annexed]] rural land for Beloit Gateway [[industrial park|Industrial Park]], as well as in the newly revitalized downtown along the Rock River.

===Climate===
{|
|-
|{{climate chart
|  Beloit
| -11| -6| 104
| -12| -4| 90
| -5| 9| 63
| 3| 19| 155
| 9| 24| 96
| 15| 28| 168
| 18| 27| 87
| 16| 25| 113
| 13| 24| 67
| 6| 15| 89
| -1| 8| 58
| -12| -3| 68
|float=left
|clear=left
|source = <ref name = "nasa">{{Cite web|url= http://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/dataset_index.php|title= NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index|access-date= January 30, 2016|publisher= NASA|archive-date= May 11, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200511075542/https://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/dataset_index.php|url-status= dead}}</ref>
}}
|}

{{Weather box
|location = Beloit, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 61
|Feb record high F = 69
|Mar record high F = 84
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 103
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 110
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 89
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 67
|year record high F = 110

|Jan avg record high F = 48.7
|Feb avg record high F = 52.6
|Mar avg record high F = 67.6
|Apr avg record high F = 78.7
|May avg record high F = 86.3
|Jun avg record high F = 91.2
|Jul avg record high F = 92.0
|Aug avg record high F = 91.2
|Sep avg record high F = 88.3
|Oct avg record high F = 81.1
|Nov avg record high F = 65.9
|Dec avg record high F = 52.1
|year avg record high F = 94.1

|Jan high F = 25.1
|Feb high F = 29.4
|Mar high F = 41.5
|Apr high F = 54.8
|May high F = 66.5
|Jun high F = 76.1
|Jul high F = 79.6
|Aug high F = 78.0
|Sep high F = 71.3
|Oct high F = 58.3
|Nov high F = 43.2
|Dec high F = 30.5
|year high F = 54.5
|Jan mean F = 17.9
|Feb mean F = 21.6
|Mar mean F = 32.7
|Apr mean F = 44.6
|May mean F = 56.1
|Jun mean F = 65.9
|Jul mean F = 69.7
|Aug mean F = 68.1
|Sep mean F = 60.8
|Oct mean F = 48.5
|Nov mean F = 35.3
|Dec mean F = 23.8
|year mean F = 45.4
|Jan low F = 10.7
|Feb low F = 13.9
|Mar low F = 23.8
|Apr low F = 34.4
|May low F = 45.7
|Jun low F = 55.8
|Jul low F = 59.8
|Aug low F = 58.1
|Sep low F = 50.3
|Oct low F = 38.7
|Nov low F = 27.4
|Dec low F = 17.0
|year low F = 36.3

|Jan avg record low F = -8.7
|Feb avg record low F = -3.6
|Mar avg record low F = 6.6
|Apr avg record low F = 23.8
|May avg record low F = 34.9
|Jun avg record low F = 45.4
|Jul avg record low F = 52.5
|Aug avg record low F = 51.5
|Sep avg record low F = 38.9
|Oct avg record low F = 27.3
|Nov avg record low F = 14.2
|Dec avg record low F = -0.8
|year avg record low F = -12.6

|Jan record low F = −29
|Feb record low F = -28
|Mar record low F = -13
|Apr record low F = 7
|May record low F = 26
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 42
|Aug record low F = 39
|Sep record low F = 23
|Oct record low F = 4
|Nov record low F = -12
|Dec record low F = −25
|year record low F = −29
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.60
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.52
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.13
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.72
|May precipitation inch = 4.34
|Jun precipitation inch = 5.64
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.36
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.14
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.83
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.77
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.40
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.96
|year precipitation inch = 37.41
|Jan snow inch = 9.8
|Feb snow inch = 7.3
|Mar snow inch = 4.3
|Apr snow inch = 1.1
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 2.7
|Dec snow inch = 10.2
|year snow inch = 35.6
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 8.7
|Feb precipitation days = 7.1
|Mar precipitation days = 8.4
|Apr precipitation days = 10.3
|May precipitation days = 11.7
|Jun precipitation days = 10.6
|Jul precipitation days = 8.9
|Aug precipitation days = 8.7
|Sep precipitation days = 7.6
|Oct precipitation days = 9.1
|Nov precipitation days = 8.0
|Dec precipitation days = 8.6
|year precipitation days = 107.7
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 6.2
|Feb snow days = 4.5
|Mar snow days = 2.3
|Apr snow days = 0.6
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 0.8
|Dec snow days = 4.6
|year snow days = 19.1
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name="nws">
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mkx
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00470696&format=pdf
| title = Station: Beloit, WI
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 22, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 4098
|1870= 4396
|1880= 4790
|1890= 6315
|1900= 10436
|1910= 15125
|1920= 21284
|1930= 23611
|1940= 25365
|1950= 29590
|1960= 32846
|1970= 35729
|1980= 35207
|1990= 35573
|2000= 35775
|2010= 36966
|2020=36657
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|census of 2020]],<ref name="2020-census-5506500">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Beloit city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5506500&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2022}}</ref> the population was 36,657. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2,115.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 15,068 housing units at an average density of {{convert|869.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 60.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 14.5% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 11.4% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 11.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 21.3% [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 18, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 36,966 people, 13,781 households, and 8,867 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2128.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 15,177 housing units at an average density of {{convert|873.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 68.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 15.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 10.0% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 17.1% of the population.

There were 13,781 households, of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.7% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.16.

The median age in the city was 33.1 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; 12% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

==Economy==
[[File:Beloit Ironworks from Rock River.jpg|thumb|Beloit Ironworks, a group of restored industrial buildings along the city's downtown riverfront]]

Industries with headquarters in Beloit include [[ABC Supply Company]], Bio-Systems International, [[Broaster Company]], [[Fairbanks-Morse]] Defense, [[Hendricks Holding Company]], Murmac Paint Manufacturing, PlayMonster, and [[Regal Beloit]].

Downtown Beloit is a dense cluster of mostly small shops and boutiques. The area has been recognized for increased investment and renewal since the 1990s.<ref name="Preservation Nation">{{cite web|title=The 2011 Great American Main Street Award Winners|url=http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/awards/gamsa/2011-gamsa/downtown-beloit-wisconsin.html|publisher=Preservation Nation|access-date=September 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927130637/http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/awards/gamsa/2011-gamsa/downtown-beloit-wisconsin.html|archive-date=September 27, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Downtown Beloit is one of two inaugural members of the Wisconsin Main Street designation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wisconsin Main Street map and founding years|url=http://inwisconsin.com/content/uploads/2013/06/MS-Contacts.pdf|publisher=Wisconsin Main Street Association|access-date=September 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927200012/http://inwisconsin.com/content/uploads/2013/06/MS-Contacts.pdf|archive-date=September 27, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Upscale downtown condominiums and hotels were introduced after 2000 with the construction of the Hotel Hilton Apartments (2001), the Beloit Inn (now the Ironworks Hotel, 2003), Heritage View (2005), Phoenix Project (2013), Hotel Goodwin (2018), and the Wright & Wagner Lofts (2021).<ref>{{cite web| title=Wright and Wagner Lofts project looks to honor Beloit's past, build for the future|date=September 10, 2020 |url=https://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/local-news/wright-and-wagner-lofts-project-looks-to-honor-beloits-past-build-for-the-future/article_1b01bbba-608d-52b4-859f-23e6e9976808.html}}</ref>

From the 1990s to 2011, downtown Beloit received direct public and private investment totaling more than $75 million.<ref name="Preservation Nation"/> In 2011, Beloit was a Great American Main Street Award winner.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stewart|first=Erica|title=The 2011 Great American Main Street Award Winners: Places You'll Want to Know (and Visit!)|url=http://blog.preservationnation.org/2011/05/23/the-2011-great-american-main-street-award-winners-places-you%E2%80%99ll-want-to-know-and-visit/#.UkOmGmQ4Vrw|access-date=September 26, 2013|newspaper=PreservationNation Blog|date=May 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020131848/http://blog.preservationnation.org/2011/05/23/the-2011-great-american-main-street-award-winners-places-you%e2%80%99ll-want-to-know-and-visit/#.UkOmGmQ4Vrw|archive-date=October 20, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, Beloit was listed #17 on ''[[Travel and Leisure]]''{{'}}s list of America's Greatest Mainstreets.<ref>{{cite web| title=America's Greatest Mainstreets 2012|url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-greatest-main-streets/17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Adams|first=Barry|title=Downtown Beloit an Emerging Destination|url=http://host.madison.com/news/local/on-wisconsin-beloit-s-downtown-an-emerging-destination/article_557b143b-29f4-5b59-9e54-809703f30212.html| newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|access-date=March 24, 2014}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Beloit_Water_Tower_Place.jpg|thumb|[[Beloit Water Tower]], constructed in 1889]]

* Beloit Art Center
* [[Beloit Civic Theatre]]
* Beloit Historical Society
* Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra
* The Castle Performing Arts Center
* [[Logan Museum of Anthropology]]
* Turtle Creek Chamber Orchestra
* [[Wright Museum of Art]]
*Beloit City Hall – this houses a [[mural]] portraying the history of Beloit, completed in 1985 by artist [[Martha Nessler Hayden]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Artist Finds Beauty in Beloit|last=Enking|first=Minnie|date=March 30, 1985|work=Beloit Daily News|page=84}}</ref>

===Historic buildings===
Beloit's 1889 [[Beloit Water Tower|Water Tower Place]] began demolition in 1935, which was halted because of the cost. A historic [[City of Beloit Waterworks and Pump Station|pump station]] is nearby. The [[Fairbanks Flats]] were built in 1917 to house the rush of [[African Americans]] moving to the area from the [[Southern United States]]. [[Pearsons Hall of Science]] was designed by the architectural firm [[Burnham and Root]] for [[Beloit College]] as a science center. The [[Lathrop-Munn Cobblestone House]] was originally built for politician [[John Hackett (Wisconsin politician)|John Hackett]]. The Castle at 501 Prospect was built as First Presbyterian Church in 1902; it now operates as a Performing Arts Center and Music School.

===Festivals===
Beloit's main festivals include the [[Beloit International Film Festival]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Alexandra |date=August 5, 2017 |title=In Weary Wisconsin Town, a Billionaire-Fueled Revival |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/05/business/dealbook/beloit-wisconsin-revival-diane-hendricks.html |access-date=November 25, 2024 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and Beloit's [[Winterfest]], which includes an indoor playland, ice skating, ice sculpting and toboggan races.

==Parks and recreation==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2023}}
Beloit is home to a professional [[Minor League Baseball|minor league baseball]] team, the [[Beloit Sky Carp]], who play in the [[High-A Central]] and are the [[Minor League Baseball|High A]] affiliate of the [[Miami Marlins]]. The Sky Carp play their games at [[ABC Supply Stadium]]. Until August 3, 2021, they played at [[Harry C. Pohlman Field]].

==Government==
Beloit is represented by [[Mark Spreitzer]] and [[Stephen Nass]] in the [[Wisconsin State Senate]], [[Clinton Anderson (Wisconsin politician)|Clinton Anderson]] and [[Ellen Schutt]] in the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]], [[Bryan Steil]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]], and [[Ron Johnson]] and [[Tammy Baldwin]] in the [[United States Senate]].

Beloit has a [[Council–manager government|council-manager]] system of government, with seven council members, each elected for two-year terms. Four members are elected in even years and three in odd years. City council elections are held annually in April.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beloitwi.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BC833E327-C02B-4A6A-B4B9-030B58262A07%7D&DE=|title=City Council - Welcome to the City of Beloit|website=www.beloitwi.gov|access-date=February 15, 2017}}</ref> The city council establishes policies for the city and appoints a city manager to implement those policies. The current city manager, Jerry Gabrielatos, started on February 20, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/local-news/jerry-gabrielatos-named-beloits-new-city-manager/article_c56bdd34-95dd-11ed-812c-576f0b3dee1b.html|title=Jerry Gabrielatos named Beloit's new city manager|website=www.beloitwi.gov|date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Beloit College Middle College.jpg|thumb|Middle College, on the [[Beloit College]] campus, is Wisconsin's oldest academic building still in use.]]
[[File:Beloit Public Library.jpg|thumb|Beloit Public Library]]

The [[School District of Beloit]] serves 5,923 students<ref>{{cite web| url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=5501050|title=National Center for Education Statistics Common Core of Data|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> in six primary schools, four intermediate schools, and one high school, with alternative programming and charter schools. [[Beloit Memorial High School]] is the city's public high school. The majority of Beloit is in the Beloit school district, though some portions are in the [[Beloit Turner School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55105_rock/DC20SD_C55105.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Rock County, WI|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 15, 2024}}</ref>

[[Beloit College]], a private liberal arts college with undergraduate enrollment around 1,300, is in the city, with the main campus adjacent to downtown. The campus has a number of prehistoric Native American mounds. [[Blackhawk Technical College]], a public [[technical school]], has a campus in downtown Beloit.

Beloit has a public library that was part of the [[Arrowhead Library System (Wisconsin)|Arrowhead Library System]] which merged with  Lakeshores Library System in 2023 to form Prairie Lakes Library System.

==Media==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2023}}
Beloit's main newspaper is The ''[[Beloit Daily News]]'', a daily (published Monday through Friday) paper owned by Adams Publishing Group, LLC, and serving the Wisconsin/Illinois stateline area. The ''Janesville Gazette'', also owned by Adams Publishing Group, also serves Beloit.

Beloit is a part of the [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]] television market, but due to its proximity to Rockford, stations from Rockford also serve the city and report on local stories and information (weather, school closings, etc.) relating to Beloit.

Radio stations broadcasting to Beloit include '90s hits [[WBEL (AM)|WBEL]] (1380 AM), which is licensed to South Beloit, Illinois and operates studios in Janesville, classic country [[WGEZ]] (1490 AM) and variety [[WBCR-FM|WBCR]] (103.5 FM), owned by the Board of Trustees of Beloit College. Radio stations from Janesville, Madison and Rockford are also receivable.

==Transportation==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2023}}
The [[Beloit Transit]] System is the primary provider of [[mass transportation]]. Four regular routes provide service from Monday through Saturday. In collaboration with the [[Janesville Transit System]], BTS operates an express route between the two cities.

{{Incomplete list|date=July 2020}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:60%"
|-
| [[Image:I-90.svg|center|25px]] || [[Interstate 90 in Wisconsin|Interstate 90]] Westbound (Northbound) routes to [[Janesville, Wisconsin|Janesville]] and [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]].  Eastbound (Southbound)  routes to [[Rockford, Illinois]]. This is a full interstate grade freeway that runs on the east side of the city, although the I-90 is overall a west–east interstate the section in Beloit runs north–south.
|-
| [[Image:I-39.svg|center|25px]] || [[Interstate 39]] runs entirely concurrently with Interstate 90 through the city of Beloit.
|-
| [[Image:I-43.svg|center|25px]] || [[Interstate 43]] terminates at I-90/39 in Beloit, it routes Northbound to [[Milwaukee]]
|-
| [[Image:US 51.svg|center|25px]]  || [[U.S. Route 51 in Wisconsin|U.S. Route 51]] runs through the center and partly the south side of the city. Northbound routes to [[Janesville, Wisconsin|Janesville]], [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], and [[Wausau, Wisconsin|Wausau]]. Southbound routes to [[South Beloit, Illinois]] and [[Rockford, Illinois|Rockford]].
|}

[[Beloit Airport]] is a small public-use [[general aviation]] airport within the city. It offers hangars for storing aircraft, [[Glider (aircraft)|gliders]], and sky diving. [[Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport]] is a public airport north of Beloit in Rock County. Formerly known as Rock County Airport, it is owned and operated by the Rock County government. The airport has no scheduled commercial passenger service. [[Dane County Regional Airport]] and [[Rockford International Airport]] are the closest airports to Beloit that offer scheduled airline service.

==Notable people==
{{div col}}
* [[Thomas Ryum Amlie]], U.S. Representative
* [[Clinton Anderson (Wisconsin politician)|Clinton Anderson]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Marcia Anderson]], [[U. S. Army]] Major General
* [[Roy Chapman Andrews]], adventurer and [[natural history|naturalist]]
* [[Fred Ascani]], [[U.S. Air Force]] Major General
* [[Alan E. Ashcraft, Jr.]], Illinois State Representative
* [[Clinton Babbitt]], U.S. Representative
* [[George B. Belting]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[James A. Blaisdell]], founder of the [[Claremont Colleges]]<ref>{{cite web |title=1910 |url=https://www.pomona.edu/timeline/1910s/1910 |website=Pomona College Timeline |publisher=Pomona College |access-date=April 7, 2020 |language=en |date=November 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dr. Blaisdell, of Claremont Colleges, Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77669847/dr-blaisdell-of-claremont-colleges-di/ |access-date=May 14, 2021 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 30, 1957 |pages=37–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77669854/blaisdell-pt-2/ 38] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* [[Jim Breton]], [[MLB]] player
* [[Jason W. Briggs]], leader in development of [[Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]]
* [[James A. Brittan]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Tony Brizzolara]], MLB player
* [[Richard Burdge]], Wisconsin State Senator
* [[Jackson J. Bushnell]], educator
* [[Jim Caldwell (American football)|Jim Caldwell]], [[Beloit Memorial High School]] alumnus, former head coach of NFL's [[Detroit Lions]]
* [[Thomas Chrowder Chamberlin]], geologist
* [[Franklin Clarke]], professional football player for [[Dallas Cowboys]] (1960–1967) and [[Cleveland Browns]] (1957–1959)
* [[Lawrence E. Cunningham]], Wisconsin State Senator
* [[Horatio N. Davis]], Wisconsin State Senator
* [[Delmar DeLong]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Burger M. Engebretson]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[John E. Erickson (Wisconsin politician)|John E. Erickson]], [[NBA]] executive
* [[Betty Everett]], rock and jazz singer ("[[The Shoop Shoop Song]]")
* [[Edward A. Everett (Wisconsin politician)|Edward A. Everett]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Dorr Felt]], inventor of [[comptometer]]
* [[Edwin G. Fifield]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Lucius G. Fisher]], state representative and businessman
* [[Bill Flannigan]], [[NFL]] player
* [[Patsy Gharrity]], [[MLB]] player
* [[Danny Gokey]], ''American Idol'' contestant, choir director at a Beloit church
* [[Bernie Graham]], professional baseball player
* [[John Hackett (Wisconsin)|John Hackett]], businessman and politician
* [[Jim Hall (boxer)|Jim Hall]], professional boxer
* [[Edward F. Hansen]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[William O. Hansen]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Bill Hanzlik]], [[NBA]] player and coach
* [[Jonathan Harr]], journalist and author of ''[[A Civil Action]]''
* [[Ken Hendricks]], founder of [[ABC Supply]], listed on the [[Forbes 400]]
* [[William H. Hurlbut]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Gary Johnson (Wisconsin politician)|Gary Johnson]], elected majority leader of Wisconsin Assembly in 1980 and 1983<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.wi.us/spotlight/spotl339.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904115056/http://www.legis.state.wi.us/spotlight/spotl339.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 4, 2012|title=Legislative Spotlight|website=www.legis.state.wi.us|access-date=June 21, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Jerry Kenney]], baseball player for [[New York Yankees]] (1967, 1969–1972) and [[Cleveland Indians]] (1973)
* [[John Baxter Kinne]], [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
* [[Stephanie Klett]], television personality, [[Miss Wisconsin|Miss Wisconsin 1992]]
* [[Gene Knutson]], [[NFL]] player
* [[Richard LaPiere]], sociologist at [[Stanford University]]
* [[Eugene Lee (designer)|Eugene Lee]], Tony Award-winning set designer (''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'', ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'')
* [[Wallace Leschinsky]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Alonzo J. Mathison]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Max Maxfield]], Wyoming Secretary of State
* [[Juan Conway McNabb]] (John Conway McNabb), Roman Catholic bishop, missionary in [[Peru]]
* [[Sereno Merrill]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Elmer Miller (outfielder)|Elmer Miller]], [[MLB]] player
* [[Tommy Mills]], head coach of [[Creighton Bluejays]], [[Georgetown Hoyas]] and [[Arkansas State Red Wolves|Arkansas State Indians]] football teams; Creighton and Arkansas State men's basketball, [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish]] baseball
* [[Orsen N. Nielsen]], U.S. diplomat
* [[David Noggle]], Wisconsin State Representative, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of [[Idaho Territory]]
* [[Russ Oltz]], NFL player
* [[Terell Parks]], professional basketball player
* [[Danica Patrick]], Indy Car & NASCAR auto racing driver and model
* [[George Perring]], [[MLB]] player
* [[Samuel L. Plummer]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Alan S. Robertson]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Robert P. Robinson (Wisconsin politician)|Robert P. Robinson]], Wisconsin State Senator
* [[Judy Robson]], former majority leader, Wisconsin Senate
* [[David Roth (opera director)|David Roth]], opera director
* [[Jane Sherman]], actress, writer, composer, dancer with [[The Rockettes]]
* [[Richard Shoemaker]], Wisconsin State Senator
* [[Tracy Silverman]], violinist
* [[Mark Simonson]], font designer
* [[Erastus G. Smith]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Simon Smith (Wisconsin politician)|Simon Smith]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Robert C. Strong]], U.S. diplomat
* [[William Barstow Strong]], former president of [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]]
* [[Tyree Talton]], NFL player
* [[Rusty Tillman]], NFL player and assistant coach, [[XFL (2001)|XFL]] head coach
* [[S. J. Todd]], Wisconsin State Senator
* [[Marijuana Pepsi Vandyck]], education professional
* [[Allen F. Warden]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Arthur Pratt Warner]], aviator and inventor
* [[Kyle Weaver]], professional basketball player for [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]
* [[Floyd E. Wheeler]], Wisconsin State Representative and lawyer
* [[John D. Wickhem]], Justice of Wisconsin Supreme Court
* [[Albert J. Winegar]], Wisconsin State Representative
* [[Zip Zabel]], [[MLB]] player
* [[Robin Zander]], musician ([[Cheap Trick]])
{{div col end}}

==See also==
*[[Thompson Observatory]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Beloit, Wisconsin}}
*[https://www.beloitwi.gov/ City of Beloit]
*[https://greaterbeloitchamber.org/ Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce]
*[https://visitbeloit.com Visit Beloit]
{{Adjacent communities|South=[[File:US 51.svg|25px|link=U.S. Route 51 in Wisconsin]] Rockford, Illinois|SOUTHEAST=[[File:I-39.svg|25px|link=I-39]] [[File:I-90.svg|25px|link=Interstate 90 in Illinois]] [[Chicago]], [[Rockford, Illinois]]|EAST=[[File:I-43.svg|25px|link=I-43]] [[Milwaukee]], [[Clinton (village), Rock County, Wisconsin|Clinton]]|NORTHEAST=[[File:I-39.svg|25px|link=I-39]] [[File:I-90.svg|25px|link=Interstate 90 in Wisconsin]] [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], [[Janesville, Wisconsin|Janesville]]|NORTHWEST=[[File:WIS 213.svg|25px|link=WIS 213]] [[Evansville, Wisconsin|Evansville]], [[Orfordville, Wisconsin|Orfordville]]|WEST=[[File:WIS 81.svg|25px|link=WIS 81]] [[Monroe, Wisconsin|Monroe]], [[Brodhead, Wisconsin|Brodhead]]|North=[[File:US 51.svg|25px|link=U.S. Route 51 in Wisconsin]] Madison, Janesville|Center=Beloit}}{{Rock County, Wisconsin}}
{{Wisconsin}}
{{Great Lakes Megalopolis}}
{{Coord|42|30|30|N|89|01|54|W|type:city_region:US-WI|display=title}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Beloit, Wisconsin| ]]
[[Category:1836 establishments in Wisconsin Territory]]
[[Category:Cities in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Cities in Rock County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1836]]