Located west of Interstate Highway 90, which travels south to Chicago and north to Madison, and connecting directly to Milwaukee via Interstate Highway 43, Beloit is situated midway along the Wisconsin/Illinois border. Beloit was founded in 1836, incorporated as a village February 24, 1846 and officially incorporated as a city by the State of Wisconsin on March 31, 1856. The citizens adopted a Council-Manager form of government in 1929. One hundred and forty-six years after incorporation, the City of Beloit covers approximately 17 square miles. It is home to 35,775 residents as well as more than 88 industrial firms, 850 retail establishments, several corporate headquarters, a minor league baseball team, several museums and an internationally acclaimed college that bears the community's name. One of the most ethnically diverse communities in the Midwest, Beloit's population is 67% Caucasian, 15% African-American, 9% Hispanic/Latino, 1% Asian-American, with another 8% from other ethnic or racial backgrounds. As the City of Beloit continues to celebrate its rich heritage and cultural diversity, local government, businesses and residents are working to make the Beloit of the 21st century an even greater community. The City of Beloit is an equal opportunity employer and fully subscribes to the principles of fair employment practices. It is the policy of the City to provide employment, compensation and other benefits related to employment based on qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, gender, veteran status or disability, or any other basis prohibited by Federal and State law. As an equal opportunity employer, the City intends to comply fully with all Federal and State laws.