Area Code 262

Where Is Area Code 262?

Area code 262 is the area code for a portion of southeastern Wisconsin, which includes most of the suburbs of Milwaukee, but not Milwaukee County itself. Area code 262 is located in the Central Time Zone and covers 8 counties of Wisconsin. Area code 262 was put into use on September 25, 1999, and was created from a split of area code 414.

Situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, Kenosha is the fourth most populous city in Wisconsin and the county seat of Kenosha County. Kenosha has a humid continental climate, characterized by warm summers and freezing winters. Going back in history, the first white settlers arrived in the early 1830s. The settlers began building homes, churches, and schools in 1835, with platting completed in 1836. The community was first known as Pike Creek until 1837, when it was renamed Southport. The final name change occurred in 1850, when Southport was renamed Kenosha. Kenosha prospered throughout the 20th century as millions of automobiles and trucks were produced in the city; the automobile industry attracted many Italian, Irish, Polish, and German immigrants.

Once a bustling hub of manufacturing, Kenosha today is a commuter town because it is midway between Milwaukee and Chicago; about 50% of Kenosha's workforce commutes outside of Kenosha County to their positions. Kenosha is home to a number of light industrial and distribution companies while tourism accounts for most of the economy. The Lake Michigan shoreline is one of Kenosha’s most popular features; the city has close to 10 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline frontage, with 90% of it being public. Along the shoreline are several museums, two historic lighthouses, and an authentic electric streetcar system. Just steps from the shoreline is downtown Kenosha, which is home to restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and the popular Kenosha HarborMarket. When it comes to recreation, there are various trails, pristine golf courses, and tranquil inland lakes located throughout the city. During the summer months, the city hosts a variety of outdoor jazz events such as the Peanut Butter & Jam Concert Series. Points of interest in the city include the Civil War Museum, the Kenosha Public Museum, the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, the Kenosha History Center, and the Anderson Arts Center.

Situated on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River, Racine is the fifth most populous city in Wisconsin and the county seat of Racine County. Racine is located roughly 30 miles south of Milwaukee and 77 miles north of Chicago. Racine is one of the most affordable cities in Wisconsin to buy a home and is also the city where malted milk balls were developed. Going back in history, the first Europeans arrived in the area in 1674 but a trading post was not established until 1791. In 1834, the area became open to settlement, which is when Gilbert Knapp founded the settlement of Port Gilbert on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River. Shortly after, hundreds of other settlers arrived and the settlement was incorporated as the village of Racine in 1841. Today Racine has a population of 78,860 and the racial makeup of the city is 61.8% White, 22.6% African American, 20.7% Hispanic, and 0.8% Asian (2010 Census). Unfortunately the crime rate in Racine is so high that the city is among the top ten most dangerous cities in Wisconsin. While still very dangerous, the use of community policing has helped to lower the number of crimes committed in Racine. Every year, high school seniors look forward to the Rotary Post Prom, a large prom celebration that dates back more than 60 years. Located a few blocks from downtown Racine, North Beach offers 50 acres of pristine sand and blue water along 2,500 feet of shoreline; it is Wisconsin's first beach to be designated as a Certified Blue Wave clean beach. Points of interest in the city include the SC Johnson Headquarters, the Wind Point Lighthouse, the Racine Zoo, the Racine Art Museum, and the River Bend Nature Center.

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