"The Delavan - Delavan Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of advancing the local business and economic environment, and the cultural and civic welfare of the Greater Delavan area. It is also part of the chamber's mission to work in unification with other local development groups, and in common effort with our local governments."

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Delavan, with a population of over 11,000 (Town and City combined) serves as the focal point for thousands of visitors to the area. It is a clean, friendly place, located in a region of sparkling lakes and rolling Wisconsin farmland. Delavan is surprisingly different, with a unique circus history, outstanding recreational and educational facilities, prosperous agricultural, commercial and industrial firms and a people genuinely proud of their community. Delavan possesses a cosmopolitan and metropolitan flavor seldom found in smaller cities.

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Delavan is the hub of a very active and moderately populated area. It is within one hour's driving distance of Beloit, Janesville, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Madison, Rockford and 90 minutes from Chicago. Delavan is situated between state highways 50 and I 43, running between Milwaukee and Beloit, providing non-stop access to the federal interstate system. A paved 4,400-foot landing strip is located at Lake Lawn Lodge, just inside the city limits on Highway 50. Lake Lawn's airport can accommodate the largest corporate jet. Air service is available from Milwaukee's Mitchell Field International Airport (45 minutes), Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (90 minutes), Chicago's Midway Airport (120 minutes), and Madison's Airport (60 minutes)

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One of the major manufacturing and industrial centers of Walworth County, Delavan is home to over 230 businesses including such companies as Borg Indak, Sta-Rite Industries, Andes Candies, Waukesha Fluid Handling, Ajay Leisure Products, and Outboard Marine Corp. Also located in Delavan are 77 retail establishments, 46 professional services, entertainment establishments, five banks, and three newspapers.

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Delavan features diverse neighborhoods with an appealing mix of housing types and styles. Potential residents may choose from homes designed for the successful business executive or professional to the young person or couple seeking their first home. Subdivisions like Whispering Pines and Turtle Creek offer ranch homes and attractive two-story dwellings.

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Delavan's historic downtown, recently renovated, includes brick streets and unique shopping. Antique shops, furniture, gift shops and a department store are just a few of the retail businesses that Delavan has to offer. Delavan also boasts three shopping plazas on the East End of the city.

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The Delavan and Delavan Lake area is one of the most popular resort locations in Wisconsin with exciting water sports, golf, horseback riding, winter activities, and world class greyhound racing. The city's park system contains more than 100 acres of natural preserves, parks, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Included in Delavan's beautiful park system can be found a swimming pond, ice-skating and hockey rinks, sledding hills and a Memorial Arboretum. Over two miles of winding waterways are within the city; Lake Comus is a favorite spot for children. Along the north shore of Lake Comus, beyond the arboretum, is the Dibble Nature Trail where many varieties of trees, shrubs, marsh grass, birds and small animal wildlife can be observed in their natural habitat.

Cultural Events

Located just minutes from University of Whitewater's Young Auditorium, Fort Atkinson's Fireside Playhouse and Elkhorn's community theater.

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Delavan has three public elementary schools, one middle school and a high school with a total enrollment of nearly 2,400 students. St. Andrew's Catholic School, Our Redeemer Lutheran School and Delavan Christian School elementary schools serve over 450 students. The Wisconsin School for the Deaf, established in 1852, serves the educational needs of over 150 deaf and hearing impaired children from throughout the state. There is also a state-licensed nursery school, two church- sponsored nursery schools and a licensed day-care center for preschoolers. Several institutions of higher education are located within easy driving distance from Delavan.

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Lakeland Medical Center is located in Elkhorn, about seven miles from Delavan. A county mental health center, Walworth County Human Services, is located adjacent to the hospital. Mercy Walworth Medical Center is located in Williams Bay, about six miles from Delavan. Dean Medical Clinic is located in the city of Delavan. Delavan's physicians specialize in everything from pediatrics to internal medicine to surgery.

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