Historically part of the Menominee homelands, a three-mile strip along the Wisconsin River was ceded to the United States in an 1836 treaty.

[10] In 1845, the postal service came to Stevens Point and with this improvement in communications, the population tripled within 20 years.

[19] Catholic parishes in the city include Holy Spirit, St. Stephen, St. Casimir, St. Peter, and St. Joseph.

[20][21][failed verification][22] Major employers in the area include Pixelle Specialty Solutions paper mill, Associated Banc-Corp, Sentry Insurance, Travel Guard (travel and insurance), Donaldson Company, Skyward (software design), Lands' End, Canadian National Railway, Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Worzalla Publishing, Mason Companies (formerly known as Figis), Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, Herrschners, and the Stevens Point Brewery.

Companies with corporate headquarters in the city include Sentry Insurance, Ki Mobility, Delta Dental of Wisconsin, and Skyward.

Associated Bank, Canadian National, AIG, and the Donaldson Company have regional headquarters in Stevens Point.

As time went by, more religions joined the town square, and by 1900, Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist churches and Jewish synagogues were established within one mile of the downtown area.

These include the annual Riverfront Rendezvous, Corn on the Curb, sculpture park summer celebration, Fourth of July parade, Krazy Days and Gather at the River.

[26] The downtown area was designated a "Wisconsin Main Street Community" and offers specialty shops and restaurants.

Buildings in downtown Stevens Point are made from materials including Lake Superior limestone, brick, and red granite.

City and county administrative offices are downtown, as are a bank regional headquarters and two insurance companies.

Downtown also offers night life on "the Square" that is popular with college students and a farmers' market that has been selling fresh produce for over 100 years.

Stevens Point hosts the world's largest trivia contest, run by UWSP's radio station, WWSP-FM.

[27] The progressive bluegrass band Horseshoes and Hand Grenades was formed in Stevens Point.

An 18-hole Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed public golf course, SentryWorld, is at the Sentry Insurance Home Office.

The area also has Goerke Park, which includes a football stadium where high school and college athletes compete.

The Backwaters Paddle Quest canoe adventure challenge has been held in Stevens Point on the Wisconsin River since 2002, usually during the second week of August.

It spans over 100 acres, and contains a swimming area, hiking trails, and canoe and recreation activities rental.

Commercial service is available through Central Wisconsin Airport (KCWA), located midway between Stevens Point and Wausau, in Mosinee.

General aviation, charter flights and air cargo operators use the local Stevens Point Municipal Airport (KSTE).