Milwaukee Wi Original Photo Train Wreck Vintage 7X9 Inch Railroad 1932

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Seller: memorabilia111 ✉️ (808) 100%, Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, Ships to: US & many other countries, Item: 176299957925 MILWAUKEE WI ORIGINAL PHOTO TRAIN WRECK VINTAGE 7X9 INCH RAILROAD 1932. A VINTAGE ORIGINAL PHOTO FROM 1932 MEASURING APPROXIMATELY  7X9 INCHES FEATURING A TRAIN WRECK IN MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN
Milwaukee (/mɪlˈwɔːki/ mil-WAW-kee)[14] is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County.[15] With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is the 31st most populous city in the United States,[16][17] the fifth-largest city in the Midwest,[18] and the largest city in the state of Wisconsin. It is the central city of the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the 40th most populous metropolitan area in the United States.[19] Milwaukee is categorized as a "Gamma minus" city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network,[20] with a regional GDP of over $102 billion in 2020.[21] Milwaukee is an ethnically and culturally diverse city.[22] However, it continues to be one of the most racially segregated cities, largely as a result of early-20th-century redlining.[23] Its history was heavily influenced by German immigrants in the 19th century, and it continues to be a center for German-American culture,[24] specifically becoming well known for its brewing industry. In recent years, Milwaukee has undergone several development projects, some of which have added to the city's skyline.[25] Major additions to the city since the turn of the 21st century include the Wisconsin Center, American Family Field, The Hop streetcar system, an expansion to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, the Bradley Symphony Center,[26] and Discovery World, as well as major renovations to the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena. Fiserv Forum opened in late 2018, and hosts sporting events and concerts. Since 1968, Milwaukee has been home to Summerfest, a large music festival.[27] Milwaukee is home to the Medical College of Wisconsin, UW-Milwaukee, Marquette University, MSOE, and several other colleges. The city is represented in two of the four major professional sports leagues − the Bucks of the NBA and the Brewers of MLB. Milwaukee is home to the Fortune 500 companies of Northwestern Mutual, WEC Energy Group, Rockwell Automation, and Harley-Davidson.[28] History Main article: History of Milwaukee Name The name "Milwaukee" comes from the Algonquian word millioke, meaning "good", "beautiful", and "pleasant land" (compare Potawatomi: minwaking, Ojibwe: ominowakiing) or "gathering place [by the water]" (Potawatomi: manwaking, Ojibwe: omaniwakiing).[29][30] Native American peoples Indigenous cultures lived along the waterways for thousands of years. The first recorded inhabitants of the Milwaukee area were various Native American tribes: the Menominee, Fox, Mascouten, Sauk, Potawatomi, and Ojibwe (all Algic/Algonquian peoples), and the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago, a Siouan people). Many of these people had lived around Green Bay[31] before migrating to the Milwaukee area about the time of European contact. In the second half of the 18th century, the Native Americans living near Milwaukee played a role in all the major European wars on the American continent. During the French and Indian War, a group of "Ojibwas and Pottawattamies from the far [Lake] Michigan" (i.e., the area from Milwaukee to Green Bay) joined the French-Canadian Daniel Liénard de Beaujeu at the Battle of the Monongahela.[32] In the American Revolutionary War, the Native Americans around Milwaukee were some of the few groups to ally with the rebel Continentals.[33] After the American Revolutionary War, the Native Americans fought the United States in the Northwest Indian War as part of the Council of Three Fires. During the War of 1812, they held a council in Milwaukee in June 1812, which resulted in their decision to attack Chicago[34] in retaliation against American expansion. This resulted in the Battle of Fort Dearborn on August 15, 1812, the only known armed conflict in the Chicago area. This battle convinced the American government to remove these groups of Native Americans from their indigenous land.[dubious – discuss] After being attacked in the Black Hawk War in 1832, the Native Americans in Milwaukee signed the 1833 Treaty of Chicago with the United States. In exchange for ceding their lands in the area, they were to receive monetary payments and lands west of the Mississippi in Indian Territory.[35] European settlement and thereafter Statue of Solomon Juneau, who helped establish the city of Milwaukee Europeans had arrived in the Milwaukee area prior to the 1833 Treaty of Chicago. French missionaries and traders first passed through the area in the late 17th and 18th centuries. Alexis Laframboise, coming from Michilimackinac (now in Michigan), settled a trading post in 1785 and is considered the first resident of European descent in the Milwaukee region.[36] Early explorers called the Milwaukee River and surrounding lands various names: Melleorki, Milwacky, Mahn-a-waukie, Milwarck, and Milwaucki, in efforts to transliterate the native terms. In the 19th century, the populace of the western side of Milwaukee used the spelling "Milwaukee", while on the eastern side "Milwaukie" was used until the modern-day spelling became accepted in the 1880s.[37] One story on the origin of Milwaukee's name says, [O]ne day during the thirties of the last century [1800s] a newspaper calmly changed the name to Milwaukee, and Milwaukee it has remained until this day.[38] The spelling "Milwaukie" lives on in Milwaukie, Oregon, named after the Wisconsin city in 1847, before the current spelling was universally accepted.[39] Milwaukee has three "founding fathers": Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn, and George H. Walker. Solomon Juneau was the first of the three to come to the area, in 1818. He founded a town called Juneau's Side, or Juneautown, that began attracting more settlers. In competition with Juneau, Byron Kilbourn established Kilbourntown west of the Milwaukee River. He ensured the roads running toward the river did not join with those on the east side. This accounts for the large number of angled bridges that still exist in Milwaukee today.[40] Further, Kilbourn distributed maps of the area which only showed Kilbourntown, implying Juneautown did not exist or the river's east side was uninhabited and thus undesirable. The third prominent developer was George H. Walker. He claimed land to the south of the Milwaukee River, along with Juneautown, where he built a log house in 1834. This area grew and became known as Walker's Point.[41] The first large wave of settlement to the areas that would later become Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee began in 1835, following removal of the tribes in the Council of Three Fires. Early that year it became known that Juneau and Kilbourn intended to lay out competing town-sites. By the year's end both had purchased their lands from the government and made their first sales. There were perhaps 100 new settlers in this year, mostly from New England and other Eastern states. On September 17, 1835, the first election was held in Milwaukee; the number of votes cast was 39.[42] By 1840, the three towns had grown, along with their rivalries. There were intense battles between the towns, mainly Juneautown and Kilbourntown, which culminated with the Milwaukee Bridge War of 1845. Following the Bridge War, on January 31, 1846, the towns were combined to incorporate as the City of Milwaukee, and elected Solomon Juneau as Milwaukee's first mayor.[43] Illustrated map of Milwaukee in 1872 Milwaukee began to grow as a city as high numbers of immigrants, mainly German, made their way to Wisconsin during the 1840s and 1850s. Scholars classify German immigration to the United States in three major waves, and Wisconsin received a significant number of immigrants from all three. The first wave from 1845 to 1855 consisted mainly of people from Southwestern Germany, the second wave from 1865 to 1873 concerned primarily Northwestern Germany, while the third wave from 1880 to 1893 came from Northeastern Germany.[44] In the 1840s, the number of people who left German-speaking lands was 385,434, in the 1850s it reached 976,072, and an all-time high of 1.4 million immigrated in the 1880s. In 1890, the 2.78 million first-generation German Americans represented the second-largest foreign-born group in the United States. Of all those who left the German lands between 1835 and 1910, 90 percent went to the United States, most of them traveling to the Mid-Atlantic states and the Midwest.[44] By 1900, 34 percent of Milwaukee's population was of German background.[44] The largest number of German immigrants to Milwaukee came from Prussia, followed by Bavaria, Saxony, Hanover, and Hesse-Darmstadt. Milwaukee gained its reputation as the most German of American cities not just from the large number of German immigrants it received, but for the sense of community which the immigrants established here.[45] Most German immigrants came to Wisconsin in search of inexpensive farmland.[45] However, immigration began to change in character and size in the late 1840s and early 1850s, due to the 1848 revolutionary movements in Europe.[46] After 1848, hopes for a united Germany had failed, and revolutionary and radical Germans, known as the "Forty-Eighters", immigrated to the U.S. to avoid imprisonment and persecution by German authorities.[47] One of the most famous "liberal revolutionaries" of 1848 was Carl Schurz. He later explained in 1854 why he came to Milwaukee, "It is true, similar things [cultural events and societies] were done in other cities where the Forty-eighters [sic] had congregated. But so far as I know, nowhere did their influence so quickly impress itself upon the whole social atmosphere as in 'German Athens of America' as Milwaukee was called at the time."[48] Schurz was referring to the various clubs and societies Germans developed in Milwaukee. The pattern of German immigrants to settle near each other encouraged the continuation of the German lifestyle and customs. This resulted in German language organizations that encompassed all aspects of life; for example, singing societies and gymnastics clubs. Germans also had a lasting influence on the American school system. Kindergarten was created as a pre-school for children, and sports programs of all levels, as well as music and art were incorporated as elements of the regular school curriculum. These ideas were first introduced by radical-democratic German groups, such as the Turner Societies, known today as the American Turners. Specifically in Milwaukee, the American Turners established its own Normal College for teachers of physical education and a German-English Academy.[49] Milwaukee's German element is still strongly present today. The city celebrates its German culture by annually hosting a German Fest in July[50] and an Oktoberfest in October. Milwaukee boasts a number of German restaurants, as well as a traditional German beer hall. A German language immersion school is offered for children in grades K–5.[51] Milwaukee's Lake Front Depot in 1898 Although the German presence in Milwaukee after the Civil War remained strong and their largest wave of immigrants had yet to land, other groups also made their way to the city. Foremost among these were Polish immigrants. The Poles had many reasons for leaving their homeland, mainly poverty and political oppression. Because Milwaukee offered the Polish immigrants an abundance of low-paying entry level jobs, it became one of the largest Polish settlements in the USA.[52] Wisconsin Street with Pabst Building, Milwaukee, 1900 For many residents, Milwaukee's South Side is synonymous with the Polish community that developed here. The group maintained a high profile here for decades, and it was not until the 1950s and 1960s that families began to disperse to the southern suburbs.[53] By 1850, there were seventy-five Poles in Milwaukee County and the US Census shows they had a variety of occupations: grocers, blacksmiths, tavernkeepers, coopers, butchers, broommakers, shoemakers, draymen, laborers, and farmers. Three distinct Polish communities evolved in Milwaukee, with the majority settling in the area south of Greenfield Avenue. Milwaukee County's Polish population of 30,000 in 1890 rose to 100,000 by 1915. Poles historically have had a strong national cultural and social identity, often maintained through the Catholic Church.[54] A view of Milwaukee's South Side skyline is replete with the steeples of the many churches these immigrants built that are still vital centers of the community.[citation needed] St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and the surrounding neighborhood was the center of Polish life in Milwaukee. As the Polish community surrounding St. Stanislaus continued to grow, Mitchell Street became known as the "Polish Grand Avenue". As Mitchell Street grew more dense, the Polish population started moving south to the Lincoln Village neighborhood, home to the Basilica of St. Josaphat and Kosciuszko Park. Other Polish communities started on the East Side of Milwaukee. Jones Island was a major commercial fishing center settled mostly by Kashubians and other Poles from around the Baltic Sea.[55] Milwaukee has the fifth-largest Polish population in the U.S. at 45,467, ranking behind New York City (211,203), Chicago (165,784), Los Angeles (60,316) and Philadelphia (52,648).[56] The city holds Polish Fest, an annual celebration of Polish culture and cuisine.[57] In addition to the Germans and Poles, Milwaukee received a large influx of other European immigrants from Lithuania, Italy, Ireland, France, Russia, Bohemia and Sweden, who included Jews, Lutherans, and Catholics. Italian Americans total 16,992 in the city, but in Milwaukee County, they number at 38,286.[56] The largest Italian-American festival in the area, Festa Italiana, is held in the city, while Irishfest is the largest Irish-American festival in southeast Wisconsin.[58] By 1910, Milwaukee shared the distinction with New York City of having the largest percentage of foreign-born residents in the United States.[59] In 1910, European descendants ("Whites") represented 99.7% of the city's total population of 373,857.[60] Milwaukee has a strong Greek Orthodox Community, many of whom attend the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Milwaukee's northwest side, designed by Wisconsin-born architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Milwaukee has a sizable Croatian population, with Croatian churches and their own historic and successful soccer club The Croatian Eagles at the 30-acre Croatian Park in Franklin, Wisconsin.[citation needed] Milwaukee also has a large Serbian population, who have developed Serbian restaurants, a Serbian K–8 School, and Serbian churches, along with an American Serb Hall. The American Serb Hall in Milwaukee is known for its Friday fish fries and popular events. Many U.S. presidents have visited Milwaukee's Serb Hall in the past. The Bosnian population is growing in Milwaukee as well due to late-20th century immigration after the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.[citation needed] During this time, a small community of African Americans migrated from the South in the Great Migration. They settled near each other, forming a community that came to be known as Bronzeville. As industry boomed, more migrants came and African-American influence grew in Milwaukee.[61] A slum area of Milwaukee from 1936 By 1925, around 9,000 Mexicans lived in Milwaukee, but the Great Depression forced many of them to move back south. In the 1950s, the Hispanic community was beginning to emerge. They arrived for jobs, filling positions in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. During this time there were labor shortages due to the immigration laws that had reduced immigration from Eastern and Southern Europe. Additionally, strikes contributed to the labor shortages.[62] In the mid-20th century, African-Americans from Chicago moved to the North side of Milwaukee.[citation needed] Milwaukee's East Side has attracted a population of Russians and other Eastern Europeans who began migrating in the 1990's, after the end of the Cold War.[citation needed] Many Hispanics of mostly Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage live on the south side of Milwaukee.[citation needed] During the first sixty years of the 20th century, Milwaukee was the major city in which the Socialist Party of America earned the highest votes. Milwaukee elected three mayors who ran on the ticket of the Socialist Party: Emil Seidel (1910–1912), Daniel Hoan (1916–1940), and Frank Zeidler (1948–1960). Often referred to as "Sewer Socialists", the Milwaukee Socialists were characterized by their practical approach to government and labor.[63] Historic neighborhoods Main article: Neighborhoods of Milwaukee The historic Third Ward In 1892, Whitefish Bay, South Milwaukee, and Wauwatosa were incorporated. They were followed by Cudahy (1895), North Milwaukee (1897) and East Milwaukee, later known as Shorewood, in 1900. In the early 20th century, West Allis (1902), and West Milwaukee (1906) were added, which completed the first generation of "inner-ring" suburbs. In the 1920s, Chicago gangster activity came north to Milwaukee during the Prohibition era. Al Capone, noted Chicago mobster, owned a home in the Milwaukee suburb Brookfield, where moonshine was made. The house still stands on a street named after Capone.[64] In the 1930s the city was severely segregated via "redlining". In 1960, African-American residents made up 15 percent of the Milwaukee's population, yet the city was still among the most segregated of that time. As of 2019, at least three out of four black residents in Milwaukee would have to move in order to create "racially integrated" neighborhoods.[23] By 1960, Milwaukee had grown to become one of the largest cities in the United States. Its population peaked at 741,324. In 1960, the Census Bureau reported city's population as 91.1% white and 8.4% black.[65] By the late 1960s, Milwaukee's population had started to decline as people moved to suburbs, aided by ease of highways and offering the advantages of less crime, new housing and lower taxation.[66] Milwaukee had a population of 594,833 by 2010, while the population of the overall metropolitan area increased. Given its large immigrant population and historic neighborhoods, Milwaukee avoided the severe declines of some of its fellow "Rust Belt" cities. Brady Street, Milwaukee Since the 1980s, the city has begun to make strides in improving its economy, neighborhoods, and image, resulting in the revitalization of neighborhoods such as the Historic Third Ward, Lincoln Village, the East Side, and more recently Walker's Point and Bay View, along with attracting new businesses to its downtown area. These efforts have substantially slowed the population decline and have stabilized many parts of Milwaukee. Milwaukee's European history is evident today. Largely through its efforts to preserve its history, Milwaukee was named one of the "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2006.[67] Historic Milwaukee walking tours provide a guided tour of Milwaukee's historic districts, including topics on Milwaukee's architectural heritage, its glass skywalk system, and the Milwaukee Riverwalk. Panorama map of Milwaukee, with a view of the City Hall tower, c. 1898 Geography Aerial view from the north – the Menomonee River, Kinnickinnic River, and Milwaukee River are visible in the foreground; Wind Point in the background. Milwaukee lies along the shores and bluffs of Lake Michigan at the confluence of three rivers: the Menomonee, the Kinnickinnic, and the Milwaukee. Smaller rivers, such as the Root River and Lincoln Creek, also flow through the city. Milwaukee's terrain is sculpted by the glacier path and includes steep bluffs along Lake Michigan that begin about a mile (1.6 km) north of downtown. In addition, 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Milwaukee is the Kettle Moraine and lake country that provides an industrial landscape combined with inland lakes. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 96.80 square miles (250.71 km2), of which, 96.12 square miles (248.95 km2) is land and 0.68 square miles (1.76 km2) is water.[68] The city is overwhelmingly (99.89% of its area) in Milwaukee County, but there are two tiny unpopulated portions that extend into neighboring counties.[citation needed][A] Cityscape See also: List of tallest buildings in Milwaukee Downtown Milwaukee from the Milwaukee River North–south streets are numbered, and east–west streets are named. However, north–south streets east of 1st Street are named, like east–west streets. The north–south numbering line is along the Menomonee River (east of Hawley Road) and Fairview Avenue/Golfview Parkway (west of Hawley Road), with the east–west numbering line defined along 1st Street (north of Oklahoma Avenue) and Chase/Howell Avenue (south of Oklahoma Avenue). This numbering system is also used to the north by Mequon in Ozaukee County, and by some Waukesha County communities. Milwaukee is crossed by Interstate 43 and Interstate 94, which come together downtown at the Marquette Interchange. The Interstate 894 bypass (which as of May 2015 also contains Interstate 41) runs through portions of the city's southwest side, and Interstate 794 comes out of the Marquette interchange eastbound, bends south along the lakefront and crosses the harbor over the Hoan Bridge, then ends near the Bay View neighborhood and becomes the "Lake Parkway" (WIS-794). One of the distinctive traits of Milwaukee's residential areas are the neighborhoods full of so-called Polish flats. These are two-family homes with separate entrances, but with the units stacked one on top of another instead of side-by-side. This arrangement enables a family of limited means to purchase both a home and a modestly priced rental apartment unit. Since Polish-American immigrants to the area prized land ownership, this solution, which was prominent in their areas of settlement within the city, came to be associated with them.[69] The tallest building in the city is the U.S. Bank Center. Downtown Milwaukee Climate See also: Climate change in Wisconsin Milwaukee's location in the Great Lakes Region often has rapidly changing weather, producing a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa), with cold, snowy winters, and hot, humid summers. The warmest month of the year is July, with a mean temperature of 73.3 °F (22.9 °C), while January is the coldest month, with a mean temperature of 24.0 °F (−4.4 °C). Because of Milwaukee's proximity to Lake Michigan, a convection current forms around mid-afternoon in light wind, resulting in the so-called "lake breeze" – a smaller scale version of the more common sea breeze. The lake breeze is most common between the months of March and July. This onshore flow causes cooler temperatures to move inland usually 5 to 15 miles (8 to 24 km), with much warmer conditions persisting further inland. Because Milwaukee's official climate site, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, is only 3 miles (4.8 km) from the lake, seasonal temperature variations are less extreme than in many other locations of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. As the sun sets, the convection current reverses and an offshore flow ensues causing a land breeze. After a land breeze develops, warmer temperatures flow east toward the lakeshore, sometimes causing high temperatures during the late evening. The lake breeze is not a daily occurrence and will not usually form if a southwest, west, or northwest wind generally exceeds 15 mph (24 km/h). The lake moderates cold air outbreaks along the lakeshore during winter months. Aside from the lake's influence, overnight lows in downtown Milwaukee year-round are often much warmer than suburban locations because of the urban heat island effect. Onshore winds elevate daytime relative humidity levels in Milwaukee as compared to inland locations nearby. Thunderstorms in the region can be dangerous and damaging, bringing hail and high winds. In rare instances, they can bring a tornado. However, almost all summer rainfall in the city is brought by these storms. In spring and fall, longer events of prolonged, lighter rain bring most of the precipitation. A moderate snow cover can be seen on or linger for many winter days, but even during meteorological winter, on average, over 40% of days see less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) on the ground.[70] Milwaukee tends to experience highs that are 90 °F (32 °C) or above on about nine days per year, and lows at or below 0 °F (−18 °C) on six to seven nights.[70] Extremes range from 105 °F (41 °C) set on July 24, 1934 down to −26 °F (−32 °C) on both January 17, 1982 and February 4, 1996.[71] The 1982 event, also known as Cold Sunday, featured temperatures as low as −40 °F (−40 °C) in some of the suburbs as little as 10 miles (16 km) to the north of Milwaukee. Climate data for Milwaukee (Mitchell International Airport), 1991–2020 normals,[B] extremes 1871–present[C] Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °F (°C) 63 (17) 71 (22) 84 (29) 91 (33) 95 (35) 104 (40) 105 (41) 103 (39) 99 (37) 89 (32) 77 (25) 68 (20) 105 (41) Mean maximum °F (°C) 50.5 (10.3) 52.8 (11.6) 67.1 (19.5) 79.5 (26.4) 85.8 (29.9) 92.0 (33.3) 93.4 (34.1) 91.7 (33.2) 88.1 (31.2) 79.9 (26.6) 65.5 (18.6) 53.4 (11.9) 95.0 (35.0) Average high °F (°C) 30.9 (−0.6) 34.2 (1.2) 44.2 (6.8) 54.7 (12.6) 66.5 (19.2) 76.8 (24.9) 81.9 (27.7) 80.3 (26.8) 73.5 (23.1) 61.3 (16.3) 47.8 (8.8) 36.1 (2.3) 57.3 (14.1) Daily mean °F (°C) 24.0 (−4.4) 27.1 (−2.7) 36.4 (2.4) 46.3 (7.9) 57.1 (13.9) 67.6 (19.8) 73.3 (22.9) 72.3 (22.4) 65.0 (18.3) 53.0 (11.7) 40.4 (4.7) 29.5 (−1.4) 49.3 (9.6) Average low °F (°C) 17.2 (−8.2) 20.0 (−6.7) 28.7 (−1.8) 37.8 (3.2) 47.8 (8.8) 58.4 (14.7) 64.7 (18.2) 64.2 (17.9) 56.4 (13.6) 44.7 (7.1) 33.1 (0.6) 23.0 (−5.0) 41.3 (5.2) Mean minimum °F (°C) −4.5 (−20.3) 1.0 (−17.2) 10.6 (−11.9) 25.6 (−3.6) 36.3 (2.4) 45.7 (7.6) 54.7 (12.6) 55.0 (12.8) 42.3 (5.7) 30.6 (−0.8) 17.9 (−7.8) 3.2 (−16.0) −7.9 (−22.2) Record low °F (°C) −26 (−32) −26 (−32) −10 (−23) 12 (−11) 21 (−6) 33 (1) 40 (4) 42 (6) 28 (−2) 15 (−9) −14 (−26) −22 (−30) −26 (−32) Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.79 (45) 1.69 (43) 2.20 (56) 3.86 (98) 3.54 (90) 4.38 (111) 3.40 (86) 3.65 (93) 3.16 (80) 2.78 (71) 2.24 (57) 1.88 (48) 34.57 (878) Average snowfall inches (cm) 14.9 (38) 11.8 (30) 6.7 (17) 2.1 (5.3) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.3 (0.76) 2.5 (6.4) 10.4 (26) 48.7 (124) Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11.4 10.0 10.7 12.2 11.7 11.1 9.5 9.5 8.6 10.3 10.2 10.3 125.5 Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 10.0 8.1 5.0 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 2.6 7.3 35.1 Average relative humidity (%) 72.3 71.9 71.4 68.5 68.5 69.7 71.5 74.9 75.4 72.5 74.5 75.9 72.3 Average dew point °F (°C) 11.7 (−11.3) 15.4 (−9.2) 24.6 (−4.1) 33.6 (0.9) 43.7 (6.5) 54.3 (12.4) 60.6 (15.9) 60.4 (15.8) 53.4 (11.9) 41.4 (5.2) 30.4 (−0.9) 18.3 (−7.6) 37.3 (3.0) Mean monthly sunshine hours 140.2 151.5 185.4 213.5 275.5 304.5 321.1 281.2 215.1 178.0 112.8 104.8 2,483.6 Percent possible sunshine 48 51 50 53 61 66 69 65 57 52 38 37 56 Average ultraviolet index 1 2 4 5 7 8 8 8 6 3 2 1 5 Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity, dew point, and sun 1961–1990)[71][72][70][73] Source 2: Weather Atlas [74] Climate data for Milwaukee Climate change According to the United States' Environmental Protection Agency, Milwaukee is threatened by ongoing climate change which is warming the planet. These risks include worsened heat waves because many of its residents do not possess air conditioners, concerns about the water quality of Lake Michigan, and increased chances of flooding from intense rainstorms.[75] In 2018, Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett announced that the city would uphold its obligations under the Paris Agreement, despite the United States' withdrawal, and set a goal moving a quarter of the city's electricity sources to renewable energy by 2025. These have included expansions in the city's solar power-generating capacity and a wind turbine's installation near the Port of Milwaukee. Other actions being taken include local incentives for energy-saving upgrades to homes and businesses.[76] Water In the 1990s and 2000s, Lake Michigan experienced large algae blooms, which can threaten aquatic life. Responding to this problem, in 2009 the city became an "Innovating City" in the Global Compact Cities Program. The Milwaukee Water Council was also formed in 2009.[77] Its objectives were to "better understand the processes related to freshwater systems dynamics" and to develop "a policy and management program aimed at balancing the protection and utilization of freshwater". The strategy used the Circles of Sustainability method. Instead of treating the water quality problem as a single environmental issue, the Water Council draws on the Circles method to analyze the interconnection among ecological, economic, political and cultural factors.[78] This holistic water treatment helped Milwaukee win the US Water Alliance's 2012 US Water Prize.[79] In 2009 the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee also established the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, the first graduate school of limnology in the United States. As of 2021, there are more than 3,000 drinking fountains in the Milwaukee Public School District; 183 had lead levels above 15 parts per billion (ppb). 15 ppb is the federal action level in which effort needs to be taken to lower these lead levels.[80] In the city, more than 10% of children test positive for dangerous lead levels in their blood as of 2019.[81] Demographics Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1840 1,700 — 1850 20,061 1,080.1% 1860 45,246 125.5% 1870 71,440 57.9% 1880 115,587 61.8% 1890 204,468 76.9% 1900 285,315 39.5% 1910 373,857 31.0% 1920 457,147 22.3% 1930 578,249 26.5% 1940 587,472 1.6% 1950 637,392 8.5% 1960 741,324 16.3% 1970 717,099 −3.3% 1980 636,212 −11.3% 1990 628,088 −1.3% 2000 596,974 −5.0% 2010 594,833 −0.4% 2020 577,222 −3.0% 2022 (est.) 563,305 [10] −2.4% U.S. Decennial Census[82] 2010–2020[9] Milwaukee is the 31st most populous city in the United States, and anchors the 39th most populous Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States. Its combined statistical area population makes it the 29th most populous Combined Statistical Area of the United States. The city's population has dropped at every census count since 1970. In 2012, Milwaukee was listed as a gamma city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. 2020 census As of the census of 2020,[83] the population was 577,222. The population density was 6,001.2 inhabitants per square mile (2,317.1/km2). There were 257,723 housing units at an average density of 2,679.5 per square mile (1,034.6/km2). Ethnically, the population was 20.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race. When grouping both Hispanic and non-Hispanic people together by race, the city was 38.6% Black or African American, 36.1% White, 5.2% Asian, 0.9% Native American, 9.0% from other races, and 10.1% from two or more races. The 2020 census population of the city included 1,198 people incarcerated in adult correctional facilities and 9,625 people in university student housing.[84] According to the American Community Survey estimates for 2016-2020, the median income for a household in the city was $43,125, and the median income for a family was $51,170. Male full-time workers had a median income of $42,859 versus $37,890 for female workers. The per capita income for the city was $24,167. About 19.6% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.1% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.[85] Of the population age 25 and over, 84.4% were high school graduates or higher and 24.6% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[86] Racial and ethnic groups Ethnic origins in Milwaukee Map of racial distribution in Milwaukee, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: ⬤ White ⬤ Black ⬤ Asian ⬤ Hispanic ⬤ Other Racial and ethnic composition as of the 2020 census[87]  Race or Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Race Alone Total [D] Black or African American (NH) 37.8%   40.1%   White (NH) 32.3%   35.4%   Hispanic or Latino[E] — 20.1%   Asian (NH) 5.2%   5.8%   Native American (NH) 0.4%   1.4%   Pacific Islander (NH) 0.03%   0.10%   Other 0.5%   1.0%   According to the 2010 Census, 44.8% of the population was White (37.0% non-Hispanic white), 40.0% was Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.5% Asian, 3.4% from two or more races. 17.3% of Milwaukee's population was of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin (they may be of any race) (11.7% Mexican, 4.1% Puerto Rican).[88] Racial composition 2020 2010 2000 1990 1980 Black or African American 37.8% 39.2% 36.9% 30.2% 22.9% White (Non-Hispanic) 32.3% 37.0% 45.5% 60.8% 71.4% Hispanic or Latino 20.1% 17.3% 12.0% 6.3% 4.2% Asian 5.2% 3.5% 2.9% 1.8% 0.7% Mixed 3.6% 2.2% According to the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, 38.3% of Milwaukee's residents reported having African American ancestry and 20.8% reported German ancestry. Other significant population groups include Polish (8.8%), Irish (6.5%), Italian (3.6%), English (2.8%), and French (1.7%). According to the 2010 United States Census, the largest Hispanic backgrounds in Milwaukee as of 2010 were: Mexican (69,680), Puerto Rican (24,672), Other Hispanic or Latino (3,808), Central American (1,962), South American (1,299), Cuban (866) and Dominican (720).[89] The Milwaukee metropolitan area was cited as being the most segregated in the U.S. in a Jet Magazine article in 2002.[90] The source of this information was a segregation index developed in the mid-1950s and used since 1964. In 2003, a non-peer reviewed study was conducted by hired researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee which claimed Milwaukee is not "hypersegregated" and instead ranks as the 43rd most integrated city in America.[91] According to research by demographer William H. Frey using the index of dissimilarity method and data from the 2010 United States Census, Milwaukee has the highest level of black-white segregation of any of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States.[92] Through continued dialogue between Milwaukee's citizens, the city is trying to reduce racial tensions and the rate of segregation.[93] With demographic changes in the wake of white flight, segregation in metropolitan Milwaukee is primarily in the suburbs rather than the city as in the era of Father Groppi.[94][95] In 2015, Milwaukee was rated as the "worst city for black Americans" based on disparities in employment and income levels.[96] The city's black population experiences high levels of incarceration and a severe educational achievement gap.[97] In 2013, Mark Pfeifer, the editor of the Hmong Studies Journal, stated Hmong in Milwaukee had recently been moving to the northwest side of Milwaukee; they historically lived in the north and south areas of Milwaukee.[98] The Hmong American Peace Academy/International Peace Academy, a K–12 school system in Milwaukee centered on the Hmong community, opened in 2004.[98] Religion St. Josaphat Basilica, in Milwaukee's historic Lincoln Village. As of 2010, approximately 51.8% of residents in the Milwaukee area said they regularly attended religious services. 24.6% of the Milwaukee area population identified as Catholic, 10.8% as Lutheran, 1.6% as Methodist, and 0.6% as Jewish.[99] The Milwaukee metro area contains the majority of the state's Jewish population,[100] and has a long history of Jewish immigration from German-speaking and Eastern European countries.[101] The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee are headquartered in Milwaukee. The School Sisters of the Third Order of St Francis have their mother house in Milwaukee, and several other religious orders have a significant presence in the area, including the Jesuits and Franciscans. Milwaukee, where Father Josef Kentenich was exiled for 14 years from 1952 to 1965, is also the center for the Schoenstatt Movement in the United States. St. Joan of Arc Chapel, the oldest church in Milwaukee, is on the Marquette University campus. St. Josaphat Basilica was the first church to be given the Basilica honor in Wisconsin and the third in the United States. Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, northwest of Milwaukee, in Hubertus, Wisconsin, was also made a Basilica in 2006. Milwaukee is home for several Lutheran synods, including the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), which operates Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon and Milwaukee Lutheran High School, the nation's oldest Lutheran high school; and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), which was founded in 1850 in Milwaukee. The St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral is a landmark of the Serbian community in Milwaukee, located by the American Serb hall, which the congregation also operated until putting it up for sale in January 2021 due to financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[102] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a presence in the Milwaukee area. The Milwaukee area has two stakes, with fourteen wards and four branches among them. The closest temple is the Chicago Illinois Temple. The area is part of the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission.[103] 2000 census About 30.5% of households in 2000 had children under the age of 18 living with them. 32.2% of households were married couples living together, 21.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were single individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 people per household, with the average family size at 3.25 people per family. In 2000, the Census estimated at least 1,408 same-sex households in Milwaukee, or about 0.6% of all households in the city.[104] Gay-friendly communities have developed primarily in Walker's Point, but also in Bay View, Historic Third Ward, Washington Heights, Riverwest, and the East Side. In 2001, Milwaukee was named the #1 city for lesbians by Girlfriends magazine.[105] The city's population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $32,216, and the median income for a family was $37,879. Males had a median income of $32,244 versus $26,013 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,181. 21.3% of the population and 17.4% of families were below the poverty line. In 2010, rent increased an averaged 3% for home renters in Milwaukee.[106] Out of the total population, 31.6% of those under the age of 18 and 11.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Economy Early economy Milwaukee was situated as a port city and a center for collecting and distributing produce. Some of the new immigrants who were settling into the new state of Wisconsin during the middle of the 19th century were wheat farmers[citation needed]. By 1860, Wisconsin was one of the major producers of wheat. Rail transport was needed to transport this grain from the wheat fields of Wisconsin to Milwaukee's harbor. Improvements in railways at the time made this possible. There was intense competition for markets with Chicago, situated across the state line in Illinois, and to a lesser degree, with Racine and Kenosha in Wisconsin. Eventually Chicago won out due to its superior financial and transposition status, as well as being the hub of the railroad lines in the United States. Milwaukee did solidify its place as the commercial capital of Wisconsin and an important market in the Midwest.[107] Rail tracks along the industrial Menomonee Valley, ancestral home of the Menominee Indians Because of its easy access to Lake Michigan and other waterways, Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley has historically been home to manufacturing, stockyards, rendering plants, shipping, and other heavy industry.[108] Manufacturing was concentrated on the north side, with a peak of over 50 manufacturers in that industrialized area.[109] Reshaping of the valley began with the railroads built by city co-founder Byron Kilbourn to bring product from Wisconsin's farm interior to the port. By 1862 Milwaukee was the largest shipper of wheat on the planet, and related industry developed. Grain elevators were built and, due to Milwaukee's dominant German immigrant population, breweries sprang up around the processing of barley and hops. A number of tanneries were constructed, of which the Pfister & Vogel tannery grew to become the largest in America. In 1843 George Burnham and his brother Jonathan opened a brickyard near 16th Street. When a durable and distinct cream-colored brick came out of the clay beds, other brickyards sprang up to take advantage of this resource. Because many of the city's buildings were built using this material it earned the nickname "Cream City", and consequently the brick was called Cream City brick. By 1881 the Burnham brickyard, which employed 200 men and peaked at 15 million bricks a year, was the largest in the world. Flour mills, packing plants, breweries, railways and tanneries further industrialized the valley. With the marshlands drained and the Kinnickinnic and Milwaukee Rivers dredged, attention turned to the valley. Along with the processing industries, bulk commodity storage, machining, and manufacturing entered the scene. The valley was home to the Milwaukee Road, Falk Corporation, Cutler-Hammer, Harnischfeger Corporation, Chain Belt Company, Nordberg Manufacturing Company and other industry giants. Early in the 20th century, Milwaukee was home to several pioneer brass era automobile makers, including Ogren (1919–1922).[110] Brewing Further information: Beer in Milwaukee Milwaukee became synonymous with Germans and beer beginning in the 1840s. The Germans had long enjoyed beer and set up breweries when they arrived in Milwaukee. By 1856, there were more than two dozen breweries in Milwaukee, most of them owned and operated by Germans. Besides making beer for the rest of the nation, Milwaukeeans enjoyed consuming the various beers produced in the city's breweries. As early as 1843, pioneer historian James Buck recorded 138 taverns in Milwaukee, an average of one per forty residents. Today, beer halls and taverns are abundant in the city, but only one of the major breweries—Miller—remains in Milwaukee.[107] Entrance to Miller Brewery in Milwaukee The Pabst Brewery Complex, closed in 1997, before its redevelopment Milwaukee was once the home to four of the world's largest beer breweries (Schlitz, Blatz, Pabst, and Miller), and was the number one beer producing city in the world for many years. As late as 1981, Milwaukee had the greatest brewing capacity in the world.[111] Despite the decline in its position as the world's leading beer producer after the loss of two of those breweries, Miller Brewing Company remains a key employer by employing over 2,200 of the city's workers.[112] Because of Miller's position as the second-largest beer-maker in the U.S., the city remains known as a beer town. The city and surrounding areas are seeing a resurgence in microbreweries, nanobreweries and brewpubs with the craft beer movement.[113] The historic Milwaukee Brewery in "Miller Valley" at 4000 West State Street, is the oldest functioning major brewery in the United States. In 2008, Coors beer also began to be brewed in Miller Valley. This created additional brewery jobs in Milwaukee, but the company's world headquarters moved from Milwaukee to Chicago. In addition to Miller and the heavily automated Leinenkugel's brewery in the old Blatz 10th Street plant, other stand-alone breweries in Milwaukee include Milwaukee Brewing Company, a microbrewery in Walker's Point neighborhood; Lakefront Brewery, a microbrewery in Brewers Hill; and Sprecher Brewery, a German brewery that also brews craft sodas. Since 2015, nearly two dozen craft brewing companies have been established in the city.[114][115] Three beer brewers with Wisconsin operations made the 2009 list of the 50 largest beermakers in the United States, based on beer sales volume. Making the latest big-breweries list from Wisconsin is MillerCoors at No. 2. MillerCoors is a joint venture formed in 2008 by Milwaukee-based Miller Brewing Co. and Golden, Colorado-based Molson Coors Brewing Company. The Minhas Craft Brewery in Monroe, Wisconsin, which brews Huber, Rhinelander and Mountain Crest brands, ranked No. 14 and New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, Wisconsin, whose brands include Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel and Uff-da, ranked No. 32.[116] Present economy Rockwell Automation Headquarters and Allen-Bradley Clock Tower Milwaukee is the home to the international headquarters of six Fortune 500 companies: Johnson Controls, Northwestern Mutual, Manpower, Rockwell Automation, Harley-Davidson and WEC Energy Group.[117] Other companies based in Milwaukee include Briggs & Stratton, Brady Corporation, Baird (investment bank), Alliance Federated Energy, Sensient Technologies, Marshall & Ilsley (acquired by BMO Harris Bank in 2010),[118] Hal Leonard, Direct Supply, Rite-Hite, the American Society for Quality, A. O. Smith, Rexnord, Master Lock, Marcus Corporation, REV Group, American Signal Corporation,[119] GE Healthcare, Diagnostic Imaging and Clinical Systems, and MGIC Investments. The Milwaukee metropolitan area ranks fifth in the United States in terms of the number of Fortune 500 company headquarters as a share of the population. Milwaukee also has a large number of financial service firms, particularly those specializing in mutual funds and transaction processing systems, and a number of publishing and printing companies. Service and managerial jobs are the fastest-growing segments of the Milwaukee economy, and health care alone makes up 27% of the jobs in the city.[120] Culture Milwaukee's skyline visible from a sailboat out on Lake Michigan Milwaukee Art Museum Milwaukee is a popular location for sailing, boating, and kayaking on Lake Michigan, ethnic dining, and cultural festivals. Often referred to as the City of Festivals[citation needed], Milwaukee has various cultural events which take place throughout the summer at Henry Maier Festival Park, on the lake. Museums and cultural events, such as Jazz in the Park, occur weekly in downtown parks. A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Milwaukee 15th most walkable of fifty largest U.S. cities.[121] In 2018, the city was voted "The Coolest City in the Midwest" by Vogue.[122] Museums Art The Milwaukee Art Museum is perhaps Milwaukee's most visually prominent cultural attraction, especially its $100 million wing designed by Santiago Calatrava in his first American commission.[123] The museum includes a brise soleil, a moving sunscreen that unfolds similarly to the wing of a bird. The Grohmann Museum at Milwaukee School of Engineering contains the world's most comprehensive art collection dedicated to the evolution of human work.[124] It houses the Man at Work collection, which comprises more than 700 paintings and sculptures dating from 1580 to the present. The museum also features a rooftop sculpture garden. Haggerty Museum of Art on the Marquette University campus houses several classical masterpieces and is open to the public. The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is the former home of Lloyd Smith, president of the A.O. Smith corporation, and has a terraced garden, an assortment of Renaissance art, and rotating exhibits.[125] Charles Allis Art Museum, in the Tudor-style mansion of Charles Allis, hosts several changing exhibits every year in the building's original antique furnished setting. Science and natural history The Calling I-beams Discovery World The Milwaukee Public Museum has been Milwaukee's primary natural history and human history museum for 125 years, with over 150,000 square feet (14,000 m2) of permanent exhibits.[126] Exhibits feature Africa, Europe, the Arctic, Oceania, and South and Middle America, the ancient Western civilizations ("Crossroads of Civilization"), dinosaurs, the tropical rainforest, streets of Old Milwaukee, a European Village, live insects and arthropods ("Bugs Alive!") a Samson Gorilla replica, the Puelicher Butterfly Wing, hands-on laboratories, and animatronics. The museum also contains an IMAX movie theater/planetarium. Milwaukee Public Museum owns the world's largest dinosaur skull.[127] Discovery World, Milwaukee's largest museum dedicated to science, is just south of the Milwaukee Art Museum along the lake front. Visitors are drawn by its high-tech, hand-on exhibits, salt water and freshwater aquariums, as well as touch tanks and digital theaters. A double helix staircase wraps around the 40-foot (12 m) kinetic sculpture of a human genome. The S/V Dennis Sullivan Schooner Ship docked at Discovery World is the world's only re-creation of an 1880s-era three-masted vessel and the first schooner to be built in Milwaukee in over 100 years. It teaches visitors about the Great Lakes and Wisconsin's maritime history. Betty Brinn Children's Museum[128] is geared toward children under ten years of age and is filled with hands-on exhibits and interactive programs, offering families a chance to learn together. Voted one of the top ten museums for children by Parents Magazine, it exemplifies the philosophy that constructive play nurtures the mind. Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (Mitchell Park Domes or, simply, the Domes) is a conservatory at Mitchell Park. It is owned and operated by the Milwaukee County Park System, and replaced the original Milwaukee Conservatory which stood from 1898 to 1955. The three domes display a large variety of plant and bird life. The conservatory includes the Tropical Dome, the Arid Dome and the Show Dome, which hosts four seasonal (cultural, literary, or historic) shows and one Christmas exhibit held annually in December for visitors to enjoy. The Domes are deteriorating rapidly "and the popular horticultural conservatory will close within a few years unless $30 million is found to do just basic repairs."[129] Social and cultural history Pabst Mansion Pabst Mansion Built in 1892 by beer tycoon Frederick Pabst, this Flemish Renaissance Mansion was once considered the jewel of Milwaukee's famous avenue of mansions called the "Grand Avenue". Interior rooms have been restored with period furniture, to create an authentic replica of a Victorian Mansion. Nationally recognized as a house museum. Milwaukee County Historical Society features Milwaukee during the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. Housed within an architectural landmark, the Milwaukee's Historical Society features a panoramic painting of Milwaukee, firefighting equipment, period replicas of a pharmacy and a bank, and Children's world – an exhibit that includes vintage toys, clothes and school materials. The museum houses a research library, where scenes from the movie Public Enemies were shot. Wisconsin Black Historical Society,[130] whose mission is to document and preserve the historical heritage of African descent in Wisconsin, exhibiting collecting and disseminating materials depicting this heritage. America's Black Holocaust Museum, founded by lynching survivor James Cameron, featured exhibits which chronicle the injustices suffered throughout history by African Americans in the United States. The museum first closed in July 2008 as a result of financial difficulties.[131] The museum reopened in 2012 as a virtual museum with the original building demolished. As of 2018 a new building housing the museum has opened.[132][133] Jewish Museum Milwaukee,[134] is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the Jewish people in southeastern Wisconsin and celebrating the continuum of Jewish heritage and culture. Mitchell Gallery of Flight, at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee's aviation and historical enthusiasts experience the history of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport with a visit to the Gallery of Flight. Exhibits include General Billy Mitchell; replicas of past and present aircraft including the Lawson Airline, the first commercial airliner; the Graf Zeppelin II, the sistership to the tragically legendary Hindenburg; a 1911 Curtis Pusher, an airplane with the propeller in the rear of the plane; and the present day giant of the sky, the 747. Other exhibits include commercial air memorabilia, early aviation engines and airport beacons. Harley-Davidson Museum, opened in 2008, pays tribute to Harley-Davidson motorcycles and is the only museum of its type in the world.[citation needed] Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear Arenas and performing arts Performing arts groups and venues include: Bel Canto Chorus First Stage Children's Theater Florentine Opera Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Miller High Life Theatre Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Milwaukee Youth Arts Center Milwaukee Ballet Milwaukee Repertory Theater Milwaukee Opera Theatre Milwaukee Public Theatre Milwaukee Youth Theatre Pabst Theater Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps Present Music The Melody Top The Rave /Eagles Ballroom Riverside Theater Skylight Music Theatre Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Turner Hall Fiserv Forum Miller Park UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Marcus Amphitheater on the Henry Maier Festival Park Summerfest Grounds In 1984 ComedySportz was founded in Milwaukee by native Dick Chudnow and has since become a franchise, with numerous venues throughout the United States and England. In July 2009 the ComedySportz world championship returned to Milwaukee to coincide with its 25th anniversary. The Rave/Eagles Ballroom The Rave/Eagles Ballroom   Milwaukee Youth Arts Center Milwaukee Youth Arts Center   Turner Hall Turner Hall Public art and monuments Main article: List of public art in Milwaukee Milwaukee has some 75 sculptures to honor the many people and topics reflecting the city's history.[135] Among the more prominent monuments are: Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben Tadeusz Kościuszko Casimir Pulaski Solomon Juneau Abraham Lincoln George Washington Bronze Fonz Pope John Paul II Martin Luther King Jr. The Victorious Charge Leif Ericson Jacques Marquette Goethe-Schiller Monument Immigrant Mother Letter Carriers' Monument, a memorial to the National Association of Letter Carriers Leif Ericson monument Leif Ericson monument   Tadeusz Kościuszko monument in Kosciuszko Park in Historic Lincoln Village. Tadeusz Kościuszko monument in Kosciuszko Park in Historic Lincoln Village. Additionally, Milwaukee has a burgeoning mural arts scene. Black Cat Alley is a well-known arts destination in a one-block alleyway in the East Side neighborhood of Milwaukee, recognized for its street art mural installations. It is behind the historic Oriental Theatre and includes both temporary and semi-permanent installations by a variety of artists and art groups. Another highly visible corridor of street art in Milwaukee is on the south side in the Walker's Point neighborhood, especially along 5th and 2nd streets. Festivals Henry Maier Festival Grounds during Summerfest The city hosts an annual lakefront music festival called Summerfest. Listed in the 1999 Guinness Book of World Records as the largest music festival in the world, in 2017 Summerfest attracted 831,769.[136] The adjacent city of West Allis has been the site of the Wisconsin State Fair for over a century. Milwaukee hosts a variety of primarily ethnically themed festivals throughout the summer. Held generally on the lakefront Summerfest grounds, these festivals span several days (typically Friday plus the weekend) and celebrate Milwaukee's history and diversity. Festivals for the LGBT (PrideFest) and Polish (Polish Fest) communities are typically held in June. Summerfest spans 11 days at the end of June and beginning of July. There are French (Bastille Days), Greek, Italian (Festa Italiana) and German (German Fest) festivals in July. The African, Arab, Irish (Irish Fest), Mexican, and American Indian events wrap it up from August through September.[137] Milwaukee is also home to Trainfest, the largest operating model railroad show in America, in November. Cuisine See also: Candy Raisins Milwaukee's ethnic cuisines include German, Italian, Russian, Hmong, French, Serbian, Polish, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Ethiopian.[citation needed] Milwaukee County hosts the Zoo-A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo, and various ethnic festivals like Summerfest, German Fest, and Festa Italiana to celebrate various types of cuisine in summer months.[citation needed] Music Aerial view of "Jazz in the Park", Cathedral Square Park Milwaukee has a long history of musical activity. The first organized musical society, called "Milwaukee Beethoven Society" formed in 1843, three years before the city was incorporated.[138] The large concentrations of German and other European immigrants contributed to the musical character of the city. Saengerfeste were held regularly.[139] In the early 20th century, guitarist Les Paul and pianist Liberace were some of the area's most famous musicians. Both Paul, born in Waukesha, and Liberace, born in West Allis, launched their careers in Milwaukee music venues. Paramount Records, primarily a jazz and blues record label, was founded in Grafton, a northern suburb of Milwaukee, in the 1920s and 1930s. Hal Leonard Corporation, founded in 1947 is one of the world's largest music print publishers, and is headquartered in Milwaukee.[140] More recently, Milwaukee has a history of rock, hip hop, jazz, soul, blues, punk, ska, industrial music, electronica, world music, and pop music bands. Milwaukee's most famous music venue is Summerfest. Founded in 1968, Summerfest features 700–800 live musical acts across 12 stages during 11 days over a 12-day period beginning in late June; while the dates adjust each year, Summerfest always includes July 4. On the Summerfest grounds, the largest venue is the American Family Insurance Amphitheater with a 23,000 person capacity. Adjacent is the BMO Harris Pavilion, which has a capacity of roughly 10,000. The BMO Harris Pavilion also hosts numerous concerts and events outside of Summerfest; other stages are also used during the numerous other festivals held on the grounds. Pabst Theater Venues such as Pabst Theater, Marcus Center for Performing Arts, the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, Marcus Amphitheater (Summerfest Grounds), Riverside Theater, the Northern Lights Theater, and The Rave frequently bring internationally known acts to Milwaukee. 'Jazz in the Park', a weekly jazz show held at downtown Cathedral Square Park, has become a summer tradition; free, public performances with a picnic environment.[141] Nearby Pere Marquette Park hosts "River Rhythms" on Wednesday nights. The Milwaukee area is known for producing national talents such as Steve Miller (rock), Wladziu Valentino Liberace (piano), Al Jarreau (jazz), Eric Benet (neo-soul), Speech (hip hop), Daryl Stuermer (rock), Streetz-n-Young Deuces (Hip-Hop), BoDeans (rock), Les Paul (jazz), the Violent Femmes (alternative), Coo Coo Cal (rap), Die Kreuzen (punk), Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy (punk), Eyes To The Sky (hardcore), Rico Love (R&B), Andrew 'The Butcher' Mrotek of The Academy Is... (alt-rock), Showoff (pop-punk), The Promise Ring (indie), Lights Out Asia (post-rock), the Gufs (alt rock), Brief Candles (rock), IshDARR (rap), Decibully (indie), and Reyna (synth-pop).[citation needed][importance?] Sports Main article: Sports in Milwaukee American Family Field (formerly known as Miller Park), home of the Brewers Fiserv Forum, home of the Bucks and Golden Eagles Currently, Milwaukee's sports teams include: Club Sport Founded Current League Stadium Milwaukee Bucks Basketball 1968 Eastern and Central (NBA) Fiserv Forum Milwaukee Brewers Baseball 1970 National League (MLB) American Family Field Milwaukee Bavarians Soccer 1929[142] United Premier Soccer League Heartland Value Fund Stadium Marquette Golden Eagles Basketball 1916 Big East Conference (NCAA) Fiserv Forum Milwaukee Panthers Basketball 1956 Horizon League (NCAA) UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Milwaukee Admirals Hockey 1970 American Hockey League UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Milwaukee Wave Indoor soccer 1984 Major Arena Soccer League UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Brewcity Bruisers Roller Derby 2006 WFTDA UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Milwaukee Milkmen Baseball 2018 American Association of Independent Professional Baseball Franklin Field USL Milwaukee Soccer 2022 USL Championship Iron District Stadium FC Milwaukee Torrent Soccer 2015 National Premier Soccer League (Men) Women's Premier Soccer League (Women) Hart Park The city is represented in two of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada - the Milwaukee Brewers of MLB and the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. Milwaukee does not have an NFL team or an NHL team. For a short time, Milwaukee was home to the NFL's Badgers, from 1922-1926. Today, the city is generally considered a second home market for the NFL's Green Bay Packers.[143] The team split its home schedule between Green Bay and Milwaukee from 1933 to 1994, although most home games during that time were played in Green Bay. Of the games played in Milwaukee, the majority were played at County Stadium.[144] However, by 1991, the Packers claimed that revenue from the Milwaukee games were 60% of the revenue generated from the Green Bay games. Also, Milwaukee officials did not act upon the Packers request that County Stadium be replaced with an updated stadium. In addition, the Packers Green Bay home of Lambeau Field underwent improvements, thus the Packers played for the last time in Milwaukee in 1994.[145] The Packers' longtime flagship station is Milwaukee-based WTMJ AM 620.[146] Milwaukee also has a strong history of nonprofessional sports dating back to the 19th century. Abraham Lincoln watched cricket in Milwaukee in 1849 when he attended a game between Chicago and Milwaukee. In 1854, the Milwaukee Cricket Club had 150 members.[147] Milwaukee was the host city of the International Cycling Classic, which included the men's and women's Superweek Pro Tour races, featuring cyclists and teams from across the United States and more than 20 other countries.[citation needed] Parks and recreation Main article: Parks of Milwaukee Panoramic view of Lake Park, c. 1890. Leisure boats on the Milwaukee River Havenwoods State Forest entrance Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, "The Domes" Milwaukee County is known for its well-developed Parks of Milwaukee park system.[148] The "Grand Necklace of Parks", designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of New York's Central Park, includes Lake Park, River Park (now Riverside Park), and West Park (now Washington Park). Milwaukee County Parks offer facilities for sunbathing, picnics, grilling, disc golf, and ice skating.[149] Milwaukee has over 140 parks with over 15,000 acres (6,100 ha) of parks and parkways. In its 2013 ParkScore ranking, The Trust for Public Land, a national land conservation organization, reported Milwaukee had the 19th best park system among the 50 most populous U.S. cities.[150] Parks and nature centers Milwaukee's parks are home to several nature centers. The Urban Ecology Center offers programming for adults and children from its three branches located in Riverside Park, Washington Park, and the Menomonee Valley (near Three Bridges Park).[151] The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources operates a nature center at Havenwoods State Forest.[152] The city is also served by two nearby suburban nature centers. Wehr Nature Center is operated by Milwaukee County in Whitnall Park, located in Franklin, Wisconsin. Admission is free, and parking costs $4 per vehicle.[153] The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Bayside, Wisconsin charges admittance fees for visitors. The Monarch Trail, on the Milwaukee County Grounds in Wauwatosa, is a 1.25-mile (2 km) trail that highlights the fall migration of the monarch butterflies.[154] During the summer months, Cathedral Park in Downtown Milwaukee hosts "Jazz in the Park" on Thursday nights.[155] Nearby Pere Marquette Park hosts "River Rhythms" on Wednesday nights. Public and farmers markets The Milwaukee Public Market Milwaukee Public Market, in the Third Ward neighborhood, is an indoor market that sells produce, seafood, meats, cheeses, vegetables, candies, and flowers from local businesses. Milwaukee County Farmers Markets, held in season, sell fresh produce, meats, cheeses, jams, jellies, preserves and syrups, and plants. Farmers markets also feature artists and craftspeople. Locations include: Aur Farmers Market, Brown Deer Farmers Market, Cudahy Farmers Market, East Town Farm Market, Enderis Park Farmers Market, Fondy Farmers Market, Mitchell Street Market, Riverwest Gardeners' Market, Silver Spring Farmers Market, South Milwaukee Farmers Market, South Shore Farmers Market, Uptown Farmers Market, Wauwatosa Farmers Market, West Allis Farmers Market, and Westown Market on the Park. Government and politics Main article: Government of Milwaukee See also: List of mayors of Milwaukee Milwaukee has a mayor-council form of government. With the election of Mayor John O. Norquist in 1988, the city adopted a cabinet form of government with the mayor appointing department heads not otherwise elected or appointed—notably the Fire and Police Chiefs. While this gave the mayor greater control of the city's day-to-day operations, the Common Council retains almost complete control over the city's finances and the mayor, with the exception of his proposed annual budget, cannot directly introduce legislation. The Common Council consists of 15 members, one from each district in the city.[citation needed] Milwaukee has a history of giving long tenures to its mayors; from Frank Zeidler to Tom Barrett, the city had only four elected mayors (and one acting) in a 73-year period.[156] When 28-year incumbent Henry Maier retired in 1988, he held the record for longest term of service for a city of Milwaukee's size,[citation needed] and when Barrett retired in 2021, he was the longest-serving mayor of any of the United States' 50 largest cities.[157] In addition to the election of a Mayor and Common Council on the city level, Milwaukee residents elect county representatives to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, as well as a Milwaukee County Executive. The current County Executive is David Crowley.[citation needed] Milwaukee has been a Democratic stronghold for more than a century at the federal level.[158] At the local level, Socialists often won the mayorship and (for briefer periods) other city and county offices during much of the first sixty years of the 20th century. The city is split between seven State Senate districts, each of which is divided between three state Assembly districts. All but four state legislators representing the city are Democrats; the four Republicans—two in the State Assembly and two in the State Senate—represent outer portions of the city that are part of districts dominated by heavily Republican suburban counties. In 2008, Barack Obama won Milwaukee with 77% of the vote.[159] Tim Carpenter (D), Lena Taylor (D), Robyn Vining (D), LaTonya Johnson (D), Chris Larson (D), Alberta Darling (R), and Dave Craig (R) represent Milwaukee in the State Senate; Daniel Riemer (D), JoCasta Zamarripa (D), Marisabel Cabrera (D), David Bowen (D), Jason Fields (D), LaKeshia Myers (D), Sara Rodriguez (D), Dale P. Kooyenga (R), Kalan Haywood (D), David Crowley (D), Evan Goyke (D), Jonathan Brostoff (D), Christine Sinicki (D), Janel Brandtjen (R), and Mike Kuglitsch (R) represent Milwaukee in the State Assembly. Milwaukee makes up the overwhelming majority of Wisconsin's 4th congressional district. The district is heavily Democratic, with victory in the Democratic primary often being considered tantamount to election.[160] The district is currently represented by Democrat Gwen Moore. A Republican has not represented a significant portion of Milwaukee in Congress since Charles J. Kersten lost his seat in the 5th district in 1954 to Democrat Henry S. Reuss. The small portions of the city extending into Waukesha and Washington counties are part of the 5th District, represented by Republican Scott L. Fitzgerald. Milwaukee's Mexican Consultate serves 65 counties in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.[161] Crime In 2001 and 2007, Milwaukee ranked among the ten most dangerous large cities in the United States.[162][163] Despite its improvement since then, Milwaukee still fares worse when comparing specific crime types to the national average (e.g., homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault)[164][165] The Milwaukee Police Department's Gang Unit was reactivated in 2004 after Nannette Hegerty was sworn in as chief. In 2006, 4,000 charges were brought against suspects through Milwaukee's Gang Unit.[166] In 2013 there were 105 murders in Milwaukee and 87 homicides the following year.[167] In 2015, 146 people were killed in the city.[168] In 2018, Milwaukee was ranked the eighth most dangerous city in the US.[169] In 2020, Milwaukee recorded 189 homicides,[170] exceeding the all-time homicide record of 174 which was set in 1993.[171] In 2022, Milwaukee recorded 214 homicides.[172] Poverty As of 2016, Milwaukee currently ranks as the second poorest U.S. city with over 500,000 residents, falling behind only Detroit.[173] In 2013, a Point-In-Time survey estimated 1,500 people were homeless on Milwaukee's streets each night,[174] although as of 2022 the estimate has reduced to 832.[175] The city's homeless and poor are aided by several local nonprofits, including the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. Election results Milwaukee city vote by party in presidential elections Year Democratic Republican Third Parties 2020[176] 78.83% 194,661 19.60% 48,414 1.57% 3,875 2016[177] 76.55% 188,657 18.43% 45,411 5.02% 12,377 2012[178] 79.27% 227,384 19.72% 56,553 1.01% 2,896 2008[179] 77.82% 213,436 21.03% 57,665 1.15% 3,152 2004[180] 71.83% 198,907 27.35% 75,746 0.82% 2,268 Education Merrill Hall at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee The John P. Raynor, S.J. Library at Marquette University Wisconsin Lutheran College Primary and secondary education Main article: Milwaukee Public Schools Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is the largest school district in Wisconsin and thirty third in the nation. As of 2007, it had an enrollment of 89,912 students[181] and as of 2006 employed 11,100 full-time and substitute teachers in 323 schools. Milwaukee Public Schools operate as magnet schools, with individualized specialty areas for interests in academics or the arts. Washington High School, Riverside University High School, Rufus King High School, Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School, Samuel Morse Middle School for the Gifted and Talented, Golda Meir School, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, and Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School are some of the magnet schools in Milwaukee. In 2007, 17 MPS high schools appeared on a national list of "dropout factories"—schools where fewer than 60% of freshmen graduate on time.[182] Milwaukee is also home to over two dozen private or parochial high schools, such as Marquette University High School, and many private and parochial middle and elementary schools. In 1990, Milwaukee became the first city in the United States to offer a school voucher program. Of persons in Milwaukee aged 25 and above, 89.2% have a high school diploma, and 32.4% have a bachelor's degree or higher.[183] Higher education Milwaukee area universities and colleges: Alverno College The Art Institute of Wisconsin Bryant and Stratton Cardinal Stritch University Carroll University (Waukesha) Concordia University Wisconsin Herzing University Marquette University Medical College of Wisconsin (Wauwatosa) Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design Milwaukee School of Engineering Mount Mary University Nashotah House Saint Francis de Sales Seminary University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study Wisconsin Lutheran College Media See also: List of television stations in Wisconsin and List of radio stations in Wisconsin The WITI TV Tower is in Shorewood, off of the Oak Leaf Trail, just north of Capitol Drive. Milwaukee's daily newspaper is the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which was formed when the morning paper the Milwaukee Sentinel merged with the afternoon paper Milwaukee Journal. The city has two free distribution alternative publications, Shepherd Express and Wisconsin Gazette. Other local newspapers, city guides, and magazines with large distributions include Milwaukee Magazine, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Milwaukee Independent, Riverwest Currents, The Milwaukee Courier and Milwaukee Community Journal. Urban Milwaukee and OnMilwaukee.com are online-only publications providing political and real-estate news as well as stories about cultural events and entertainment. The UWM Post is the independent, student-run weekly at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.[citation needed] Milwaukee's major network television affiliates are WTMJ 4 (NBC), WITI 6 (Fox), WISN 12 (ABC), WVTV 18 (CW), WVTV-DT2 24 (MyNetworkTV), and WDJT 58 (CBS). Spanish-language programming is on WTSJ-LD 38 (Azteca America) and WYTU-LD 63 (Telemundo). Milwaukee's public broadcasting stations are WMVS 10 and WMVT 36. Other television stations in the Milwaukee market include WMKE-CD 7 (Quest), WVCY 30 (FN), WBME-CD 41 (Me-TV), WMLW-TV 49 (Independent), WWRS 52 (TBN), Sportsman Channel, and WPXE 55 (ION) There are numerous radio stations throughout Milwaukee and the surrounding area. There are two cable PEG channels in Milwaukee: channels 13 and 25. Until 2015, Journal Communications (a NYSE-traded corporation) published the Journal Sentinel and well over a dozen local weekly newspapers in the metropolitan area. At that time, Journal was split into the Journal Media Group for publishing, while the television and radio stations went to the E. W. Scripps Company (Journal founded WTMJ-TV, along with WTMJ and WKTI). As a result, it was criticized for having a near-monopoly in local news coverage.[184][185] Journal Media Group merged with Gannett in 2017, while Scripps sold the radio stations in 2018 to Good Karma Brands, effectively splitting off the monopoly completely. Infrastructure Health care Milwaukee's health care industry includes several health systems. The Milwaukee Regional Medical Complex, between 8700 and 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, is on the Milwaukee County grounds. This area includes the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, the Ronald McDonald House, Curative Rehabilitation, and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Aurora Health Care includes St. Luke's Medical Center, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Aurora West Allis Medical Center, and St. Luke's SouthShore. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare includes St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, Elmbrook Memorial (Brookfield), and other outpatient clinics in the Milwaukee area. Columbia St. Mary's Hospital is on Milwaukee's lakeshore and has established affiliations with Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin. The Medical College of Wisconsin is one of two medical schools in Wisconsin and the only one in Milwaukee. Other health care non-profit organizations in Milwaukee include national headquarters of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and the Endometriosis Association. Transportation Airports Timmerman Field Milwaukee has two airports: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (KMKE) on the southern edge of the city, which handles the region's commercial traffic, and Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport (KMWC), known locally as Timmerman Field, on the northwest side along Appleton Avenue. Mitchell is served by twelve airlines,[186] which offer roughly 240 daily departures and 245 daily arrivals. Approximately 90 cities are served nonstop or direct from Mitchell International. It is the largest airport in Wisconsin and the 34th largest in the nation.[187] The airport terminal is open 24 hours a day. Since 2005, Mitchell International Airport has been connected by the Amtrak Hiawatha train service, which provides airport access via train to Chicago and downtown Milwaukee. Southwest, Frontier Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, and Delta Air Lines are among the carriers using Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport gates.[186] In July 2015, it served 610,271 passengers.[188] Intercity rail and bus Milwaukee Intermodal Station Milwaukee's Amtrak station was renovated in 2007 to create Milwaukee Intermodal Station near downtown Milwaukee and the Third Ward to provide Amtrak riders easy access to intercity bus services. The station itself replaces the previous main railway station, Everett Street Depot. Milwaukee is served by Amtrak's Hiawatha Service passenger train up to seven times daily between Milwaukee Intermodal Station and Chicago Union Station, including a stop at the Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station, Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and Glenview, Illinois. Amtrak's Empire Builder stops at Milwaukee Intermodal Station and connects to Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, with several stops along the way. In 2010, $800 million in federal funds were allocated to the creation of high-speed rail links from Milwaukee to Chicago and Madison,[189] but the funds were rejected by the then newly elected Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker.[190] and the trains were sold to Michigan. In 2016, WisDOT and IDOT conducted studies to upgrade service on the Amtrak Hiawatha line from seven to ten times daily between downtown Milwaukee and downtown Chicago.[191][192] As a result of the 2021 infrastructure bill and the "Amtrak Connects Us" initiative, the Milwaukee Intermodal Station is again projected to serve passenger trains to Madison and Green Bay, with the goal of the new routes being operational by 2035.[193] Intercity bus services to the city include Amtrak Thruway, Badger Bus, Flixbus, Greyhound Lines, Indian Trails, Jefferson Lines, Lamers Bus Lines, Megabus, Wisconsin Coach Lines and other intercity bus operators. Transit Two MCTS buses Bus: The Milwaukee County Transit System provides bus services within Milwaukee County. The Badger Bus station in downtown Milwaukee provides bus service between Milwaukee and Madison. An East/West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line between downtown and the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center is also currently under construction.[194] A Milwaukee streetcar in 2022 Streetcar: A modern streetcar system, The Hop, connects Milwaukee Intermodal Station, downtown Milwaukee, and Ogden Avenue on the city's Lower East Side. The line opened for service on November 2, 2018, with plans for future extensions to the lakefront and surrounding neighborhoods.[195][196] Commuter rail: Milwaukee currently has no commuter rail system. Previous efforts to develop one proposed a 0.5% sales tax in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties to fund an expansion of Metra's Union Pacific / North Line from Kenosha to Milwaukee Intermodal Station. However, Wisconsin repealed the legislation authorizing such efforts in June 2011, and the project is now defunct.[197] Highways The Hoan Bridge Milwaukee at 3:03:05 am in 2015. Three of Wisconsin's Interstate highways intersect in Milwaukee. Interstate 94 (I-94) comes north from Chicago to enter Milwaukee and continues west to Madison. The stretch of I-94 from Seven Mile Road to the Marquette Interchange in Downtown Milwaukee is known as the North-South Freeway. I-94 from downtown Milwaukee west to Wisconsin 16 is known as the East-West Freeway. I-43 enters Milwaukee from Beloit in the southwest and continues north along Lake Michigan to Green Bay via Sheboygan and Manitowoc. I-43 southwest of I-41/I-894/US 41/US 45 Hale Interchange is known as the Rock Freeway. I-43 is cosigned with I-894 East and I-41/US 41 South to I-94 is known as the Airport Freeway. At I-94, I-43 follows I-94 to the Marquette Interchange. I-43 continues north known as the North-South Freeway to Wisconsin Highway 57 near Port Washington. Approved in 2015, Interstate 41 follows I-94 north from the state line before turning west at the Mitchell Interchange to the Hale Interchange and then north to Green Bay via Fond du Lac, Oshkosh and Appleton. I-41/US 41/US 45 from the Hale Interchange to Wisconsin Hwy 145 is known as the Zoo Freeway. Milwaukee has two auxiliary Interstate Highways, I-894 and I-794. I-894 bypasses downtown Milwaukee on the west and south sides of the city from the Zoo Interchange to the Mitchell Interchange. I-894 is part of the Zoo Freeway and the Airport Freeway. I-794 extends east from the Marquette Interchange to Lake Michigan before turning south over the Hoan Bridge toward Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, turning into Highway 794 along the way. This is known as the Lake Freeway. Milwaukee is also served by three US Highways. U.S. Highway 18 (US 18) provides a link from downtown to points west heading to Waukesha along Wells Street, 17th/16th Streets, Highland Avenue, 35th Street, Wisconsin Avenue, and Blue Mound Road. US 41 and US 45 both provide north–south freeway transportation on the western side of the city. The freeway system in Milwaukee carries roughly 25% of all travel in Wisconsin.[198] Milwaukee County is also served by several Wisconsin highways. These include the following: Hwy. 24 (Forest Home Avenue) Hwy. 32 (Chicago Avenue, College Avenue, S. Lake Drive, Howard Avenue, Kinnickinnic Avenue, 1st Street, Pittsburgh Avenue, Milwaukee Street, State Street, Prospect Avenue NB/Farwell Avenue SB, Bradford Avenue, N. Lake Drive, Brown Deer Road) Hwy. 36 (Loomis Road) Hwy. 38 (Howell Avenue, Chase Avenue, 6th Street) Hwy. 57 (27th Street, Highland Avenue, 20th Street, Capitol Drive, Green Bay Avenue) Hwy. 59 (Greenfield Avenue/National Avenue) Hwy. 100 (Ryan Road, Lovers Lane Road, 108th Street, Mayfair Road, Brown Deer Road) Hwy. 119 (Airport Spur) Hwy. 145 (Fond du Lac Ave, Fond du Lac Freeway) Hwy. 175 (Appleton Avenue, Lisbon Avenue, Stadium Freeway) Hwy 181 (84th Street, Glenview Avenue, Wauwatosa Avenue, 76th Street) Hwy. 190 (Capitol Drive) Hwy. 241 (27th Street) Hwy. 794 (Lake Parkway) In 2010, the Milwaukee area was ranked the 4th best city for commuters by Forbes.[199] Water The Lake Express Terminal Milwaukee's main port, Port of Milwaukee, handled 2.4 million metric tons of cargo through its municipal port in 2014.[200] Steel and salt are handled at the port. Milwaukee connects with Muskegon, Michigan, through the Lake Express high-speed auto and passenger ferry. The Lake Express travels across Lake Michigan from late spring to the fall of each year. Bicycle The Oak Leaf Trail on the East Side Milwaukee has over 105 miles (169 km) of bicycle lanes and trails, most of which run alongside or near its rivers and Lake Michigan. The Oak Leaf Trail, a multi-use recreational trail, provides bicycle trails throughout the city and county. Still pending are the creation of bicycle lanes along major commuting routes, such as the Hoan Bridge connector between downtown and the suburbs to the south. The city has also identified over 250 miles (400 km) of streets on which bike lanes will fit. It has created a plan labeling 145 miles (233 km) of those as high priority for receiving bike lanes.[201] As part of the city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force's mission to "make Milwaukee more bicycle and pedestrian friendly", over 700 bike racks have been installed throughout the city.[202] The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin[203] holds an annual Bike to Work Week. The event, held in May each year, has frequently featured a commuter race between a car, a bus, and a bike; and also a morning ride into work with the mayor. In 2006, Milwaukee obtained bronze-level status from the League of American Bicyclists,[204] a rarity for a city its size,[205] then silver-level status in 2019.[206] In 2009, the Milwaukee County Transit System began installing bicycle racks to the front of county buses.[207] This "green" effort was part of a settlement of an asbestos lawsuit filed by the state against the county in 2006.[208] The lawsuit cites the release of asbestos into the environment when the Courthouse Annex was demolished.[209] In August 2014, Milwaukee debuted a bicycle sharing system called Bublr Bikes, which is a partnership between the City of Milwaukee and a local non-profit, Midwest Bike Share (dba Bublr Bikes).[210][211] As of September 2016, the system operates 39 stations throughout downtown, the East Side, and the UW-Milwaukee campus area and near downtown neighborhoods. The City of Milwaukee installed another ten Bublr Bikes stations in October 2016, and the adjacent suburb of Wauwatosa installed eight stations in September 2016, which will bring the system size to 58 stations by the end of 2016. More stations are scheduled for installation in the Village of Shorewood and the City of West Allis in 2017. Future system expansion in the City of Milwaukee is also expected as the City was awarded a second federal Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) program grant ($1.9 million) to add more stations starting in 2018.[212] Walkability A 2015 study by Walk Score ranked Milwaukee as the 15th most walkable out of the 50 largest U.S. cities.[213] As a whole, the city has a score of 62 out of 100. However, several of the more densely populated neighborhoods have much higher scores: Juneautown has a score of 95; the Lower East Side has a score of 91; Yankee Hill scored 91; and the Marquette and Murray Hill neighborhoods both scored 89 each.[214] Those ratings range from "A Walker's Paradise" to "Very Walkable." Modal characteristics According to the 2016 American Community Survey, 71% of working city of Milwaukee residents commuted by driving alone, 10.4% carpooled, 8.2% used public transportation, and 4.9% walked. About 2% used all other forms of transportation, including taxicab, motorcycle, and bicycle. About 3.4% of working city of Milwaukee residents worked at home.[215] In 2015, 17.9% of city of Milwaukee households were without a car, which increased to 18.7% in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Milwaukee averaged 1.3 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8 per household.[216] City development On February 10, 2015, a streetcar connecting the Milwaukee Intermodal Station with the city's Lower East Side was approved by the Common Council, bringing decades of sometimes acrimonious debate to a pause. On a 9–6 vote, the council approved a measure that established the project's $124 million capital budget, its estimated $3.2 million operating and maintenance budget and its 2.5-mile (4.0 km) route, which includes a lakefront spur connecting the line to the proposed $122 million, 44-story Couture. Construction on the Milwaukee Streetcar began March 2017, with initial operation by mid-2018.[196][217] This project was later named to The Hop, and became a free transit system.[218][219] The Lakefront service was expected to start operation by 2019.[196] Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons stands 550 feet (170 m) tall and has 32 stories, making it the second tallest building in Milwaukee.[220][221] Fiserv Forum, a new multipurpose arena at 1111 Vel R. Phillips Avenue, has been built to accommodate the Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette Golden Eagles, as well as college and professional ice hockey games. Construction on the $524 million project began in November 2015 and opened to the public on August 26, 2018.[222] The arena is intended to be the focal point of a "live block" zone that includes public space surrounded by both commercial and residential developments. The arena has a transparent facade and a curved roof and side that is meant to evoke the water forms of nearby Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River.[223] In popular culture The American sitcom Happy Days was set in Milwaukee and ran for 11 seasons from 1974 to 1984, becoming one of the most successful sitcoms in American television history. It presented an idealized vision of life in the 1950s and early-1960s Midwestern United States. The American sitcom, Laverne & Shirley, which played for eight seasons on ABC from January 27, 1976, to May 10, 1983, followed the lives of Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney, two friends and roommates who work as bottle-cappers in the fictitious Shotz Brewery in late 1950s Milwaukee. The 2004 sports comedy film, Mr. 3000, takes place in Milwaukee and features actor Bernie Mac as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers.[224] In the 1992 movie, Wayne's World, the two main characters, Wayne and Garth, meet rock star Alice Cooper after a show in Milwaukee. Cooper engages in a discussion with them and his band about Milwaukee and where the city's name comes from.[225][226] The 2011 comedy film Bridesmaids starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Rebel Wilson had multiple scenes set in Milwaukee, though it was filmed in California.[227] The 1989 film Major League written and directed by David S. Ward, that stars Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, James Gammon, Bob Uecker, Rene Russo, Margaret Whitton, Dennis Haysbert, and Corbin Bernsen was principally shot in Milwaukee, despite being set in Cleveland, because it was less expensive and the producers were unable to work around the schedules of the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns. Milwaukee County Stadium, then the home of the Milwaukee Brewers (and three Green Bay Packers games per season), doubled as Cleveland Stadium for the film, although several exterior shots of Cleveland Stadium were used, including some aerial shots taken during an Indians game.[228] Notable people Main article: List of people from Milwaukee Sister cities Milwaukee's sister cities are:[229] Kenya Bomet, Kenya South Korea Daegu, South Korea Republic of Ireland Galway, Ireland Ukraine Irpin, Ukraine Tanzania Tarime District, Tanzania Croatia Zadar, Croatia Friendship cities China Ningbo, China[230] See also Milwaukee County is located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. At the 2020 census, the population was 939,489, down from 947,735 in 2010.[1][2] It is both the most populous and most densely populated county in Wisconsin, and the 45th most populous county nationwide; Milwaukee, its eponymous county seat,[3] is also the most populous city in the state. The county was created in 1834 as part of Michigan Territory and organized the following year.[4] Milwaukee County is the most populous county of the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, as well as of the Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI Combined Statistical Area (See Milwaukee metropolitan area). Uniquely among Wisconsin counties, Milwaukee County is completely incorporated (i.e.: no part of the county has the Town form of local government - see Administrative divisions of Wisconsin#Town). There are 19 municipalities in Milwaukee County, 10 incorporated as cities and 9 incorporated as villages. After the city of Milwaukee, the most populous in 2019 were West Allis (59,890), Wauwatosa (48,118), Greenfield, Wisconsin (37,221), Oak Creek, Wisconsin (36,325), and Franklin (35,811). The county is home to two major-league professional sports teams, the Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers, and one of the world's largest music festivals, Summerfest. History Portions of what is now Milwaukee County are known to have been inhabited by a number of Native American tribes, including the Sauk, Meskwaki or "Fox", Menomonee, Ojibwe and Potawotami, with elements of other tribes attested as well.[5] In 1818, when the land later to be Wisconsin was made part of Michigan Territory, territorial governor Lewis Cass created Brown County, which at that time included all the land now part of Milwaukee County. It remained a part of Brown county until 1834, when Milwaukee County was created, including the area south of the line between townships eleven and twelve north (i.e., the northern boundary of Washington and Ozaukee counties), west of Lake Michigan, north of Illinois, and east of the line which now separates Green and Rock counties. This territory encompassed all of what are now Milwaukee, Jefferson, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties, as well as large parts of the present-day Columbia, Dane and Dodge counties. Milwaukee County remained attached to Brown County for judicial purposes until August. 25, 1835, when an act was passed by the Michigan territorial legislature giving it an independent organization. In 1836, the legislature divided the area south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers into counties, as a consequence reducing Milwaukee County's extent to what is now Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. In 1846 Waukesha County was created by taking from Milwaukee all of the territory west of range 21, reducing Milwaukee County to its present boundaries.[6] Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,189 square miles (3,080 km2), of which 241 square miles (620 km2) is land and 948 square miles (2,460 km2) (80%) is water.[7] It is the third-smallest county in Wisconsin by land area. It is watered by the Milwaukee, Menomonee, Kinnickinnic, and Root Rivers. The surface is undulating, and the soil calcareous and fertile.[8] The city at the center is Milwaukee. The photo was taken at 11:23:40 PM CDT in 2012 during Expedition 30 at the International Space Station. Due to the angle of the photo, north points rightwards, and west upwards. Adjacent counties Ozaukee County - north Racine County - south Waukesha County - west Washington County - northwest Ottawa County, Michigan - east (across Lake Michigan) Climate Milwaukee County Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D   97  −4−6   101  −6−11   68  4−5   165  113   111  113   138  159   100  2216   95  2414   67  1914   92  148   64  82   78  2−3 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: [9] Imperial conversion Demographics Birth related statistics In 2017, there were 13,431 births, giving a general fertility rate of 63.8 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, which is slightly above the Wisconsin average of 60.1.[10] Additionally, there were 2,347 reported induced abortions performed on women of Milwaukee County residence, with a rate of 11.1 abortions per 1000 women aged 15–44, which is above the Wisconsin average rate of 5.2.[11] Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1850 31,077 — 1860 62,518 101.2% 1870 89,930 43.8% 1880 138,537 54.0% 1890 236,101 70.4% 1900 330,017 39.8% 1910 433,187 31.3% 1920 539,449 24.5% 1930 725,263 34.4% 1940 766,885 5.7% 1950 871,047 13.6% 1960 1,036,041 18.9% 1970 1,054,063 1.7% 1980 964,988 −8.5% 1990 959,275 −0.6% 2000 940,164 −2.0% 2010 947,735 0.8% 2020 939,489 −0.9% U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14] 1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[2] 2020 census[16] 2000 Census Age Pyramid for Milwaukee County 2020 census As of the census of 2020,[1] the population was 939,489. The population density was 3,890.5 people per square mile (1,502.1 people/km2). There were 424,191 housing units at an average density of 1,756.6 units per square mile (678.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 52.0% White, 26.2% Black or African American, 4.9% Asian, 0.8% Native American, 6.8% from other races, and 9.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 16.3% Hispanic or Latino of any race. 2010 census As of the 2010 census,[17] there were 947,735 people, 383,591 households, and 221,019 families residing in the county. The population density was 3,932 people per square mile (1,518 people/km2). There were 418,053 housing units at an average density of 1,734 units per square mile (670 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 60.6% White, 26.8% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 0.003% Pacific Islander, 5.4% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. 13.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 383,591 households, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.1% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.14. In the county, the age distribution was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.6 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males. 2000 census As of the 2000 census,[17] there were 940,164 people, 377,729 households and 225,126 families resided in the county. The population density was 3,931 people per square mile (1,518 people/km2). There were 400,093 housing units at an average density of 1,656 units per square mile (639 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 65.6% White, 24.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.2% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 8.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.0% were of German, 10.9% Polish and 5.3% Irish ancestry. There were 377,729 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.13. In the county, the age distribution was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 1980 to 2000, the residential pattern of Blacks versus Whites in Milwaukee County was the most segregated in the country.[18] Religious statistics In 2010 statistics, the largest religious group in Milwaukee County was the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, with 199,153 Catholics worshipping at 80 parishes, followed by 32,340 non-denominational adherents with 126 congregations, 28,274 Missouri Synod Lutherans with 44 congregations, 23,043 ELCA Lutherans with 50 congregations, 20,416 Wisconsin Synod Lutherans with 45 congregations, 18,127 NBC Baptists with 27 congregations, 12,191 CoGiC Pentecostals with 28 congregations, 12,121 SBC Baptists with 32 congregations, 10,960 AoG Pentecostals with 20 congregations, and an estimated 9,156 Muslims with 8 congregations. Altogether, 46.4% of the population was claimed as members by religious congregations, although members of historically African-American denominations were underrepresented due to incomplete information.[19] In 2014, Milwaukee County had 483 religious organizations, the 48th most out of all 3,141 US counties.[20] Government Milwaukee County is governed through an eighteen-member Board of Supervisors and by an elected county executive. County supervisors, the county executive, and the county comptroller run in nonpartisan elections while other countywide officials, such as the district attorney and sheriff, run in partisan elections. Office Officeholder Party Executive David Crowley Nonpartisan Comptroller Scott Manske Nonpartisan Sheriff Denita Ball Democratic Clerk George Christenson Democratic Treasurer David Cullen Democratic Register of Deeds Israel Ramon Democratic Clerk of Circuit Court Anna Hodges Democratic Politics Like most urban counties, Milwaukee County is a Democratic stronghold, having voted for the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since 1960, and in all but four since 1912. United States presidential election results for Milwaukee County, Wisconsin[21]  Year Republican Democratic Third party No.  % No.  % No.  % 2020 134,482 29.25% 317,527 69.07% 7,714 1.68% 2016 126,069 28.58% 288,822 65.48% 26,162 5.93% 2012 154,924 31.45% 332,438 67.49% 5,214 1.06% 2008 149,445 31.45% 319,819 67.30% 5,928 1.25% 2004 180,287 37.39% 297,653 61.72% 4,296 0.89% 2000 163,491 37.71% 252,329 58.20% 17,717 4.09% 1996 119,407 32.15% 216,620 58.33% 35,353 9.52% 1992 151,314 32.51% 235,521 50.60% 78,661 16.90% 1988 168,363 38.30% 268,287 61.04% 2,895 0.66% 1984 196,290 42.86% 259,144 56.58% 2,583 0.56% 1980 183,450 39.54% 240,174 51.76% 40,384 8.70% 1976 192,008 42.09% 249,739 54.75% 14,413 3.16% 1972 191,874 46.05% 210,802 50.59% 14,001 3.36% 1968 160,022 39.81% 206,027 51.26% 35,887 8.93% 1964 149,962 34.12% 288,577 65.67% 920 0.21% 1960 187,067 41.96% 257,707 57.81% 1,033 0.23% 1956 227,253 55.79% 177,286 43.53% 2,779 0.68% 1952 219,477 51.52% 204,474 48.00% 2,055 0.48% 1948 138,672 40.44% 187,637 54.72% 16,601 4.84% 1944 142,448 40.15% 205,282 57.85% 7,100 2.00% 1940 131,120 37.34% 209,861 59.76% 10,216 2.91% 1936 54,811 18.46% 221,512 74.59% 20,635 6.95% 1932 54,693 21.09% 170,202 65.62% 34,493 13.30% 1928 82,025 39.77% 110,668 53.66% 13,544 6.57% 1924 50,730 34.27% 14,510 9.80% 82,789 55.93% 1920 73,410 51.58% 25,464 17.89% 43,437 30.52% 1916 27,831 34.78% 34,812 43.51% 17,368 21.71% 1912 17,877 25.07% 27,628 38.75% 25,797 36.18% 1908 28,625 38.97% 26,000 35.40% 18,831 25.64% 1904 32,587 46.21% 18,560 26.32% 19,365 27.46% 1900 34,790 52.52% 25,596 38.64% 5,857 8.84% 1896 35,939 55.85% 26,536 41.24% 1,869 2.90% 1892 24,602 48.23% 24,607 48.24% 1,799 3.53% However, there have been some notable exceptions. Former County Sheriff David Clarke, while repeatedly nominated and elected as a Democrat, was initially appointed by a Republican governor, stated that he considered himself nonpartisan, and espoused politically conservative positions. Former County Executive Scott Walker was a Republican member of the Wisconsin State Assembly before being elected county executive in a 2002 special election and elected to full terms in 2004 and 2008, though the office of county executive is nonpartisan. Former Governor Tommy Thompson, a Republican, won Milwaukee County in his 1994 and 1998 reelection campaigns—to date, the last time a statewide Republican candidate won the county. In May 2019, the Milwaukee County executive became the first local government in the US to issue a declaration stating that racism constitutes a public health emergency.[22][23] Transportation Bus service in Milwaukee County is provided by the Milwaukee County Transit System, which operates almost 370 buses. The city of Milwaukee also operates The Hop tram system in the downtown area. Airports Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (KMKE) is located in Milwaukee and serves the entire metropolitan area. It has scheduled service to cities across the United States as well as Canada and Mexico. Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport (KMWC) also serves the county and surrounding communities. Railroads Amtrak Canadian Pacific Union Pacific Wisconsin and Southern Railroad Milwaukee Intermodal Station Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station The Hop (streetcar) Buses Milwaukee County Transit System List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin Major highways  Interstate 41  Interstate 43  Interstate 94  Interstate 794  Interstate 894  U.S. Highway 18  U.S. Highway 41  U.S. Highway 45  Highway 24  Highway 32  Highway 36  Highway 38  Highway 57  Highway 59  Highway 100  Highway 119  Highway 145  Highway 175  Highway 181  Highway 190  Highway 241  Highway 794 Communities MapWikimedia | © OpenStreetMap Interactive map of municipalities in Milwaukee County. Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city Cities Cudahy Franklin Glendale Greenfield Milwaukee (county seat) - partly in Waukesha and Washington Counties Oak Creek South Milwaukee St. Francis Wauwatosa West Allis Villages Bayside (partly in Ozaukee County) Brown Deer Fox Point Greendale Hales Corners River Hills Shorewood West Milwaukee Whitefish Bay Former towns/neighborhoods Bay View Good Hope Granville Lake Town of Milwaukee New Coeln North Milwaukee Oakwood Root Creek St. Martin's Education School districts include:[24] K-12: Brown Deer School District Cudahy School District Franklin Public School District Greendale School District Greenfield School District Milwaukee School District Oak Creek-Franklin School District St. Francis School District Shorewood School District South Milwaukee School District Wauwatosa School District West Allis School District Whitefish Bay School District Whitnall School District Secondary: Nicolet Union High School District Elementary: Fox Point Joint No. 2 School District Glendale-River Hills School District Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District Charter schools: Hmong American Peace Academy See also Wisconsin (/wɪˈskɒnsɪn/ i) is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. The bulk of Wisconsin's population live in areas situated along the shores of Lake Michigan. The largest city, Milwaukee, anchors its largest metropolitan area, followed by Green Bay and Kenosha, the third- and fourth-most-populated Wisconsin cities, respectively. The state capital, Madison, is currently the second-most-populated and fastest-growing city in the state.[12] Wisconsin is divided into 72 counties and as of the 2020 census had a population of nearly 5.9 million.[13] Wisconsin's geography is diverse, having been greatly impacted by glaciers during the Ice Age with the exception of the Driftless Area. The Northern Highland and Western Upland along with a part of the Central Plain occupy the western part of the state, with lowlands stretching to the shore of Lake Michigan. Wisconsin is third to Ontario and Michigan in the length of its Great Lakes coastline. The northern portion of the state is home to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. At the time of European contact, the area was inhabited by Algonquian and Siouan nations, and today it is home to eleven federally recognized tribes.[14] During the 19th and early 20th centuries, many European settlers entered the state, most of whom emigrated from Germany and Scandinavia.[15][16] Wisconsin remains a center of German American and Scandinavian American culture,[17] particularly in respect to its cuisine, with foods such as bratwurst and kringle. Wisconsin is home to one UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising two of the most significant buildings designed by Wisconsin-born architect Frank Lloyd Wright: his studio at Taliesin near Spring Green and his Jacobs I House in Madison.[18] The Republican Party was founded in Wisconsin in 1854. In more recent years, Wisconsin has been a battleground state in presidential elections, notably in 2016 and 2020. Wisconsin is one of the nation's leading dairy producers and is known as "America's Dairyland"; it is particularly famous for its cheese.[19][20] The state is also famous for its beer, particularly and historically in Milwaukee, most notably as the headquarters of the Miller Brewing Company. Wisconsin has some of the most permissive alcohol laws in the country and is well known for its drinking culture.[21][22] Its economy is dominated by manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and agriculture—specifically dairy, cranberries, and ginseng.[23] Tourism is also a major contributor to the state's economy.[24] The gross domestic product in 2020 was $348 billion.[25] Etymology The word Wisconsin originates from the name given to the Wisconsin River by one of the Algonquian-speaking Native American groups living in the region at the time of European contact.[26] French explorer Jacques Marquette was the first European to reach the Wisconsin River, arriving in 1673 and calling the river Meskousing (likely ᒣᔅᑯᐤᓯᣙ meskowsin) in his journal.[27] Subsequent French writers changed the spelling from Meskousing to Ouisconsin, and over time this became the name for both the Wisconsin River and the surrounding lands. English speakers anglicized the spelling from Ouisconsin to Wisconsin when they began to arrive in large numbers during the early 19th century. The legislature of Wisconsin Territory made the current spelling official in 1845.[28] The Algonquian word for Wisconsin and its original meaning have both grown obscure. While interpretations vary, most implicate the river and the red sandstone that lines its banks. One leading theory holds that the name originated from the Miami word Meskonsing, meaning "it lies red", a reference to the setting of the Wisconsin River as it flows through the reddish sandstone of the Wisconsin Dells.[29] Other theories include claims that the name originated from one of a variety of Ojibwa words meaning "red stone place", "where the waters gather", or "great rock".[30] History Main article: History of Wisconsin Early history Wisconsin in 1718, Guillaume de L'Isle map, with the approximate state area highlighted Wisconsin has been home to a wide variety of cultures over the past 14,000 years. The first people arrived around 10,000 BCE during the Wisconsin Glaciation. These early inhabitants, called Paleo-Indians, hunted now-extinct ice age animals such as the Boaz mastodon, a prehistoric mastodon skeleton unearthed along with spear points in southwest Wisconsin.[31] After the ice age ended around 8000 BCE, people in the subsequent Archaic period lived by hunting, fishing, and gathering food from wild plants. Agricultural societies emerged gradually over the Woodland period between 1000 BCE to 1000 CE. Toward the end of this period, Wisconsin was the heartland of the "Effigy Mound culture", which built thousands of animal-shaped mounds across the landscape.[32] Later, between 1000 and 1500 CE, the Mississippian and Oneota cultures built substantial settlements including the fortified village at Aztalan in southeast Wisconsin.[33] The Oneota may be the ancestors of the modern Ioway and Ho-Chunk nations who shared the Wisconsin region with the Menominee at the time of European contact.[34] Other Native American groups living in Wisconsin when Europeans first settled included the Ojibwa, Sauk, Fox, Kickapoo, and Pottawatomie, who migrated to Wisconsin from the east between 1500 and 1700.[35] European settlements Main articles: New France, Canada (New France), French and Indian War, Treaty of Paris (1763), Province of Quebec (1763–1791), and Indian Reserve (1763) Jean Nicolet, depicted in a 1910 painting by Frank Rohrbeck, was probably the first European to explore Wisconsin. The mural is located in the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay. The first European to visit what became Wisconsin was probably the French explorer Jean Nicolet. He canoed west from Georgian Bay through the Great Lakes in 1634, and it is traditionally assumed that he came ashore near Green Bay at Red Banks.[36] Pierre Radisson and Médard des Groseilliers visited Green Bay again in 1654–1666 and Chequamegon Bay in 1659–1660, where they traded for fur with local Native Americans.[37] In 1673, Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet became the first to record a journey on the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway all the way to the Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien.[38] Frenchmen like Nicholas Perrot continued to ply the fur trade across Wisconsin through the 17th and 18th centuries, but the French made no permanent settlements in Wisconsin before Great Britain won control of the region following the French and Indian War in 1763. Even so, French traders continued to work in the region after the war, and some, beginning with Charles de Langlade in 1764, settled in Wisconsin permanently, rather than returning to British-controlled Canada.[39] French-Canadian voyageur Joseph Roi built the Tank Cottage in Green Bay in 1776. Located in Heritage Hill State Historical Park, it is the oldest standing building from Wisconsin's early years and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[40] The British gradually took over Wisconsin during the French and Indian War, taking control of Green Bay in 1761 and gaining control of all of Wisconsin in 1763. Like the French, the British were interested in little but the fur trade. One notable event in the fur trading industry in Wisconsin occurred in 1791, when two free African Americans set up a fur trading post among the Menominee at present day Marinette. The first permanent settlers, mostly French Canadians, some Anglo-New Englanders and a few African American freedmen, arrived in Wisconsin while it was under British control. Charles de Langlade is generally recognized as the first settler, establishing a trading post at Green Bay in 1745, and moving there permanently in 1764.[39] Settlement began at Prairie du Chien around 1781. The French residents at the trading post in what is now Green Bay, referred to the town as "La Baye". However, British fur traders referred to it as "Green Bay", because the water and the shore assumed green tints in early spring. The old French title was gradually dropped, and the British name of "Green Bay" eventually stuck. The region coming under British rule had virtually no adverse effect on the French residents as the British needed the cooperation of the French fur traders and the French fur traders needed the goodwill of the British. During the French occupation of the region licenses for fur trading had been issued scarcely and only to select groups of traders, whereas the British, in an effort to make as much money as possible from the region, issued licenses for fur trading freely, both to British and to French residents. The fur trade in what is now Wisconsin reached its height under British rule, and the first self-sustaining farms in the state were established as well. From 1763 to 1780, Green Bay was a prosperous community which produced its own foodstuff, built graceful cottages and held dances and festivities.[41] U.S. territory Main articles: American Revolutionary War, Treaty of Paris (1783), Northwest Ordinance, Northwest Territory, Indiana Territory, Illinois Territory, Michigan Territory, Organic act § List of organic acts, and Wisconsin Territory Wisconsin became a territorial possession of the United States in 1783 after the American Revolutionary War. In 1787, it became part of the Northwest Territory. As territorial boundaries subsequently developed, it was then part of Indiana Territory from 1800 to 1809, Illinois Territory from 1809 to 1818, and Michigan Territory from 1818 to 1836. However, the British remained in control until after the War of 1812, the outcome of which finally established an American presence in the area.[42] Under American control, the economy of the territory shifted from fur trading to lead mining. The prospect of easy mineral wealth drew immigrants from throughout the U.S. and Europe to the lead deposits located at Mineral Point, Dodgeville, and nearby areas. Some miners found shelter in the holes they had dug, and earned the nickname "badgers", leading to Wisconsin's identity as the "Badger State".[43] The sudden influx of white miners prompted tension with the local Native American population. The Winnebago War of 1827 and the Black Hawk War of 1832 culminated in the forced removal of Native Americans from most parts of the state.[44] Following these conflicts, Wisconsin Territory was created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1836. By fall of that year, the best prairie groves of the counties surrounding what is now Milwaukee were occupied by farmers from the New England states.[45] Statehood Main articles: Admission to the Union and List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union The Erie Canal facilitated the travel of both Yankee settlers and European immigrants to Wisconsin Territory. Yankees from New England and upstate New York seized a dominant position in law and politics, enacting policies that marginalized the region's earlier Native American and French-Canadian residents.[46] Yankees also speculated in real estate, platted towns such as Racine, Beloit, Burlington, and Janesville, and established schools, civic institutions, and Congregationalist churches.[47][48][49] At the same time, many Germans, Irish, Norwegians, and other immigrants also settled in towns and farms across the territory, establishing Catholic and Lutheran institutions. The growing population allowed Wisconsin to gain statehood on May 29, 1848, as the 30th state. Between 1840 and 1850, Wisconsin's non-Indian population had swollen from 31,000 to 305,000. More than a third of residents (110,500) were foreign born, including 38,000 Germans, 28,000 British immigrants from England, Scotland, and Wales, and 21,000 Irish. Another third (103,000) were Yankees from New England and western New York state. Only about 63,000 residents in 1850 had been born in Wisconsin.[50] Nelson Dewey, the first governor of Wisconsin, was a Democrat. Dewey oversaw the transition from the territorial to the new state government.[51] He encouraged the development of the state's infrastructure, particularly the construction of new roads, railroads, canals, and harbors, as well as the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers.[51] During his administration, the State Board of Public Works was organized.[51] Dewey, an abolitionist, was the first of many Wisconsin governors to advocate against the spread of slavery into new states and territories.[51] Further information: Pioneer Women in Wisconsin Civil War Main article: Wisconsin in the American Civil War The Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin, held the nation's first meeting of the Republican Party. The Wisconsin 8th Volunteer Eagle Regiment with Old Abe Politics in early Wisconsin were defined by the greater national debate over slavery. A free state from its foundation, Wisconsin became a center of northern abolitionism. The debate became especially intense in 1854 after Joshua Glover, a runaway slave from Missouri, was captured in Racine. Glover was taken into custody under the Federal Fugitive Slave Law, but a mob of abolitionists stormed the prison where Glover was held and helped him escape to Canada. In a trial stemming from the incident, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ultimately declared the Fugitive Slave Law unconstitutional.[52] The Republican Party, founded on March 20, 1854, by anti-slavery expansion activists in Ripon, Wisconsin, grew to dominate state politics in the aftermath of these events.[53] During the Civil War, around 91,000 troops from Wisconsin fought for the Union.[54] Economic progress Drawing of Industrial Milwaukee in 1882 Wisconsin's economy also diversified during the early years of statehood. While lead mining diminished, agriculture became a principal occupation in the southern half of the state. Railroads were built across the state to help transport grains to market, and industries like J.I. Case & Company in Racine were founded to build agricultural equipment. Wisconsin briefly became one of the nation's leading producers of wheat during the 1860s.[55] Meanwhile, the lumber industry dominated in the heavily forested northern sections of Wisconsin, and sawmills sprang up in cities like La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Wausau. These economic activities had dire environmental consequences. By the close of the 19th century, intensive agriculture had devastated soil fertility, and lumbering had deforested most of the state.[56] These conditions forced both wheat agriculture and the lumber industry into a precipitous decline. The Daniel E. Krause Stone Barn in Chase was built in 1903, as dairy farming spread across the state. Beginning in the 1890s, farmers in Wisconsin shifted from wheat to dairy production in order to make more sustainable and profitable use of their land. Many immigrants carried cheese-making traditions that, combined with the state's suitable geography and dairy research led by Stephen Babcock at the University of Wisconsin, helped the state build a reputation as "America's Dairyland".[57] Meanwhile, conservationists including Aldo Leopold helped re-establish the state's forests during the early 20th century,[58] paving the way for a more renewable lumber and paper milling industry as well as promoting recreational tourism in the northern woodlands. Manufacturing also boomed in Wisconsin during the early 20th century, driven by an immense immigrant workforce arriving from Europe. Industries in cities like Milwaukee ranged from brewing and food processing to heavy machine production and tool-making, leading Wisconsin to rank 8th among U.S. states in total product value by 1910.[59] 20th century Wisconsin Governor Robert La Follette addresses an assembly, 1905 The early 20th century was also notable for the emergence of progressive politics championed by Robert M. La Follette. Between 1901 and 1914, Progressive Republicans in Wisconsin created the nation's first comprehensive statewide primary election system,[60] the first effective workplace injury compensation law,[61] and the first state income tax,[62] making taxation proportional to actual earnings. The progressive Wisconsin Idea also promoted the statewide expansion of the University of Wisconsin through the UW-Extension system at this time.[63] Later, UW economics professors John R. Commons and Harold Groves helped Wisconsin create the first unemployment compensation program in the United States in 1932.[64] In the immediate aftermath of World War II, citizens of Wisconsin were divided over issues such as creation of the United Nations, support for the European recovery, and the growth of the Soviet Union's power. However, when Europe divided into Communist and capitalist camps and the Communist revolution in China succeeded in 1949, public opinion began to move towards support for the protection of democracy and capitalism against Communist expansion.[65] Wisconsin took part in several political extremes in the mid to late 20th century, ranging from the anti-communist crusades of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s to the radical antiwar protests at UW-Madison that culminated in the Sterling Hall bombing in August 1970. The state undertook welfare reform under Republican Governor Tommy Thompson during the 1990s.[66] The state's economy also underwent further transformations towards the close of the 20th century, as heavy industry and manufacturing declined in favor of a service economy based on medicine, education, agribusiness, and tourism. Two U.S. Navy battleships, BB-9 and BB-64, were named for the state. Wisconsin, from an altitude of 206 nautical miles (237 statute miles; 382 km) at 7:43:39 AM CDT on March 11, 2012 during Expedition 30 of the International Space Station. 21st century [icon] This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2023) Wisconsin has been a swing state for much of the 21st century, with both Republicans and Democrats being elected statewide. The state voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election, and Joe Biden in 2020.[67] Geography Main article: Geography of Wisconsin Wisconsin is divided into five geographic regions. The Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin is characterized by bluffs carved in sedimentary rock by water from melting Ice Age glaciers. Timms Hill is the highest natural point in Wisconsin at 1,951.5 ft (594.8 m); it is located in the Town of Hill, Price County. Wisconsin is bordered by the Montreal River; Lake Superior and Michigan to the north; by Lake Michigan to the east; by Illinois to the south; and by Iowa to the southwest and Minnesota to the northwest. A border dispute with Michigan was settled by two cases, both Wisconsin v. Michigan, in 1934 and 1935. The state's boundaries include the Mississippi River and St. Croix River in the west, and the Menominee River in the northeast. With its location between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of geographical features. The state is divided into five distinct regions. In the north, the Lake Superior Lowland occupies a belt of land along Lake Superior. Just to the south, the Northern Highland has massive mixed hardwood and coniferous forests including the 1,500,000 acres (6,100 km2) Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, as well as thousands of glacial lakes, and the state's highest point, Timms Hill. In the middle of the state, the Central Plain has some unique sandstone formations like the Dells of the Wisconsin River in addition to rich farmland. The Eastern Ridges and Lowlands region in the southeast is home to many of Wisconsin's largest cities. The ridges include the Niagara Escarpment that stretches from New York, the Black River Escarpment and the Magnesian Escarpment.[68][69][70] In the southwest, the Western Upland is a rugged landscape with a mix of forest and farmland, including many bluffs on the Mississippi River. This region is part of the Driftless Area, which also includes portions of Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. This area was not covered by glaciers during the most recent ice age, the Wisconsin Glaciation. Overall, 46% of Wisconsin's land area is covered by forest. Langlade County has a soil rarely found outside of the county called Antigo silt loam.[71] Wisconsin has sister-state relationships with Germany's Hesse, Japan's Chiba Prefecture, Mexico's Jalisco, China's Heilongjiang, and Nicaragua.[72] Climate Köppen climate types of Wisconsin Further information: Climate change in Wisconsin Most of Wisconsin is classified as warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), while southern and southwestern portions are classified as hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa). The highest temperature ever recorded in the state was in the Wisconsin Dells, on July 13, 1936, where it reached 114 °F (46 °C). The lowest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was in the village of Couderay, where it reached −55 °F (−48 °C) on both February 2 and 4, 1996. Wisconsin also receives a large amount of regular snowfall averaging around 40 inches (100 cm) in the southern portions with up to 160 inches (410 cm) annually in the Lake Superior snowbelt each year.[73] Monthly normal high and low temperatures for selected Wisconsin cities [°F (°C)] City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Green Bay 25/10 (−4/−12) 29/13 (−2/−11) 40/23 (5/−5) 55/35 (13/1) 67/45 (19/7) 76/55 (25/13) 81/59 (27/15) 79/58 (26/14) 71/49 (22/10) 58/38 (14/4) 43/28 (6/−2) 30/15 (−1/−9) Hurley 19/0 (−7/−18) 26/4 (−4/−16) 36/16 (2/−9) 49/29 (9/−2) 65/41 (18/5) 73/50 (23/10) 76/56 (25/13) 75/54 (24/12) 65/46 (18/8) 53/35 (12/2) 36/22 (2/−6) 24/8 (−5/−14) La Crosse 26/6 (−3/−14) 32/13 (0/−11) 45/24 (7/−4) 60/37 (16/3) 72/49 (22/9) 81/58 (27/14) 85/63 (29/17) 82/61 (28/16) 74/52 (23/11) 61/40 (16/4) 44/27 (7/−3) 30/14 (−1/−10) Madison 27/11 (−3/−12) 32/15 (0/−9) 44/25 (7/−4) 58/36 (14/2) 69/46 (21/8) 79/56 (26/13) 82/61 (28/16) 80/59 (27/15) 73/50 (23/10) 60/39 (15/3) 45/28 (7/−2) 31/16 (−1/−9) Milwaukee 29/16 (−2/−9) 33/19 (0/−7) 42/28 (6/−2) 54/37 (12/3) 65/47 (18/8) 75/57 (24/14) 80/64 (27/18) 79/63 (26/17) 71/55 (22/13) 59/43 (15/6) 46/32 (8/0) 33/20 (0/−7) Superior[74] 21/2 (−6/−17) 26/6 (−3/−14) 35/17 (2/−8) 46/29 (8/-2) 56/38 (13/3) 66/47 (19/8) 75/56 (24/13) 74/57 (23/14) 65/47 (18/8) 52/36 (11/2) 38/23 (3/−5) 25/9 (−4/−13) Climate data for Wisconsin (normals 1981–2010) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °F (°C) 66 (19) 69 (21) 89 (32) 97 (36) 109 (43) 106 (41) 114 (46) 108 (42) 104 (40) 95 (35) 84 (29) 70 (21) 114 (46) Average high °F (°C) 23.9 (−4.5) 29.2 (−1.6) 40.6 (4.8) 55.5 (13.1) 67.3 (19.6) 76.3 (24.6) 80.4 (26.9) 78.2 (25.7) 69.8 (21.0) 56.9 (13.8) 41.2 (5.1) 27.5 (−2.5) 52.9 (11.6) Daily mean °F (°C) 15.0 (−9.4) 19.6 (−6.9) 30.5 (−0.8) 44.0 (6.7) 55.3 (12.9) 64.7 (18.2) 69.1 (20.6) 67.1 (19.5) 58.7 (14.8) 46.5 (8.1) 33.1 (0.6) 19.4 (−7.0) 43.6 (6.4) Average low °F (°C) 3.7 (−15.7) 6.3 (−14.3) 18.3 (−7.6) 31.6 (−0.2) 42.6 (5.9) 52.4 (11.3) 57.2 (14.0) 55.0 (12.8) 47.1 (8.4) 36.2 (2.3) 23.7 (−4.6) 10.6 (−11.9) 31.8 (−0.1) Record low °F (°C) −54 (−48) −55 (−48) −48 (−44) −20 (−29) 7 (−14) 20 (−7) 27 (−3) 22 (−6) 10 (−12) −7 (−22) −34 (−37) −52 (−47) −55 (−48) Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.15 (29) 1.03 (26) 1.80 (46) 2.63 (67) 3.54 (90) 4.17 (106) 3.79 (96) 3.78 (96) 3.75 (95) 2.38 (60) 2.00 (51) 1.27 (32) 31.29 (794) Average snowfall inches (cm) 11.4 (29) 9.5 (24) 8.7 (22) 3.2 (8.1) 0.4 (1.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.8 (2.0) 4.9 (12) 10.2 (26) 48.7 (124) Source: "Wisconsin State Climatology Office". Demographics Population Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1820 1,444 — 1830 3,635 151.7% 1840 30,945 751.3% 1850 305,391 886.9% 1860 775,881 154.1% 1870 1,054,670 35.9% 1880 1,315,457 24.7% 1890 1,693,330 28.7% 1900 2,069,042 22.2% 1910 2,333,860 12.8% 1920 2,632,067 12.8% 1930 2,939,006 11.7% 1940 3,137,587 6.8% 1950 3,434,575 9.5% 1960 3,951,777 15.1% 1970 4,417,731 11.8% 1980 4,705,767 6.5% 1990 4,891,769 4.0% 2000 5,363,675 9.6% 2010 5,686,986 6.0% 2020 5,893,718 3.6% Source: 1910–2020[75] Wisconsin 2020 Population Density Map Ethnic origins in Wisconsin The United States Census Bureau estimates that the population of Wisconsin was 5,822,434 on July 1, 2019, a 2.4% increase since the 2010 United States census.[76] This includes a natural increase since the last census of 150,659 people (i.e., 614,771 births minus 464,112 deaths) and a decrease due to net migration of 12,755 people. Immigration resulted in a net increase of 59,251 people, and migration from within the U.S. resulted in a net decrease of 72,006 people.[77] According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 4,775 homeless people in Wisconsin.[78][79] Ethnic composition as of the 2020 census  Race and Ethnicity[80] Alone Total White (non-Hispanic) 78.6%   81.9%   Hispanic or Latino[a] — 7.6%   African American (non-Hispanic) 6.2%   7.3%   Asian 3.0%   3.6%   Native American 0.8%   2.0%   Pacific Islander 0.03%   0.1%   Other 0.3%   1.1%   Wisconsin historical population by race  Racial composition 1990[81] 2000[82] 2010[83] 2020[84] White 92.2% 88.9% 86.2% 80.4% Black 5.0% 5.7% 6.3% 6.4% Asian 1.1% 1.7% 2.3% 3.0% Native 0.8% 0.9% 1.0% 1.0% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander – – – – Other race 0.9% 1.6% 2.4% 3.1% Two or more races – 1.3% 1.8% 6.1% According to the 2016 American Community Survey, 6.5% of Wisconsin's population were of Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race): Mexican (4.7%), Puerto Rican (0.9%), Cuban (0.1%), and other Hispanic or Latino origin (0.7%).[85] The five largest ancestry groups were: German (40.5%), Irish (10.8%), Polish (8.8%), Norwegian (7.7%), and English (5.7%).[86] German is the most common ancestry in every county in the state, except Menominee, Trempealeau, and Vernon.[87] Wisconsin has the highest percentage of residents of Polish ancestry of any state.[88] Since its founding, Wisconsin has been ethnically heterogeneous. Following the period of French fur traders, the next wave of settlers were miners, many of whom were Cornish, who settled the southwestern area of the state. The next wave was dominated by "Yankees", migrants of English descent from New England and upstate New York; in the early years of statehood, they dominated the state's heavy industry, finance, politics, and education. Between 1850 and 1900, the immigrants were mostly Germans, Scandinavians (the largest group being Norwegian), Irish, and Poles. In the 20th century, a number of African Americans and Mexicans settled in Milwaukee; and after the end of the Vietnam War came an influx of Hmongs. The various ethnic groups settled in different areas of the state. Although German immigrants settled throughout the state, the largest concentration was in Milwaukee. Norwegian immigrants settled in lumbering and farming areas in the north and west. Irish, Italian, and Polish immigrants settled primarily in urban areas.[89] Menominee County is the only county in the eastern United States with a Native American majority. African Americans came to Milwaukee, especially from 1940 on. 86% of Wisconsin's African-American population live in four cities: Milwaukee, Racine, Beloit, Kenosha, with Milwaukee home to nearly three-fourths of the state's black Americans. In the Great Lakes region, only Detroit and Cleveland have a higher percentage of African-American residents.[90] 33% of Wisconsin's Asian population is Hmong, with significant communities in Milwaukee, Wausau, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Appleton, Madison, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Oshkosh, and Manitowoc.[91] Of the residents of Wisconsin, 71.7% were born in Wisconsin, 23.0% were born in a different US state, 0.7% were born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Island areas, or born abroad to American parent(s), and 4.6% were foreign born.[92] Birth data Map of counties in Wisconsin by racial plurality, per the 2020 U.S. census Legend Note: Births in table add to over 100%, because Hispanics are counted both by their ethnicity and by their race, giving a higher overall number. Live births by single race or ethnicity of mother Race 2013[93] 2014[94] 2015[95] 2016[96] 2017[97] 2018[98] 2019[99] 2020[100] 2021[101] White: 55,485 (83.2%) 55,520 (82.7%) 55,350 (82.6%) ... ... ... ... ... ... > Non-Hispanic White 49,357 (74.0%) 49,440 (73.6%) 49,024 (73.1%) 47,994 (72.0%) 46,309 (71.3%) 45,654 (71.2%) 44,784 (70.8%) 42,715 (70.5%) 43,991 (71.2%) Black 6,956 (10.4%) 7,328 (10.9%) 7,386 (11.0%) 6,569 (9.9%) 6,864 (10.6%) 6,622 (10.3%) 6,859 (10.8%) 6,429 (10.6%) 5,964 (9.6%) Asian 3,197 (4.8%) 3,333 (5.0%) 3,276 (4.9%) 3,220 (4.8%) 3,017 (4.6%) 3,155 (4.9%) 2,942 (4.6%) 2,870 (4.7%) 2,692 (4.3%) American Indian 1,011 (1.5%) 980 (1.5%) 1,029 (1.5%) 689 (1.0%) 745 (1.1%) 707 (1.1%) 664 (1.0%) 573 (0.9%) 546 (0.9%) Hispanic (of any race) 6,398 (9.6%) 6,375 (9.5%) 6,604 (9.9%) 6,504 (9.8%) 6,368 (9.8%) 6,365 (9.9%) 6,463 (10.2%) 6,438 (10.6%) 6,923 (11.2%) Total Wisconsin 66,649 (100%) 67,161 (100%) 67,041 (100%) 66,615 (100%) 64,975 (100%) 64,098 (100%) 63,270 (100%) 60,594 (100%) 61,781 (100%) Since 2016, data for births of White Hispanic origin are not collected, but included in one Hispanic group; persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Religion Religion in Wisconsin (2014)[102] religion percent Protestant   44% Catholic   25% Unaffiliated   25% Jewish   1% Eastern Orthodox   1% Jehovah's Witness   1% Islam   1% Other faith   1% The percentage of Wisconsin residents who belong to various affiliations as of 2014 were:[103] Christian 81% (Protestant 50%, Roman Catholic 29%), Mormon 0.5%, Jewish 0.5%, Muslim 0.5%, Buddhist 0.5%, Hindu 0.5%, and unaffiliated 15%. Christianity is the predominant religion of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the three largest denominational groups in Wisconsin were Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, and Mainline Protestant.[104] As of 2010, the Catholic Church had the highest number of adherents in Wisconsin (at 1,425,523), followed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 414,326 members, and the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod with 223,279 adherents.[105] The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, the namesake synod with the fourth highest numbers of adherents in Wisconsin, has their headquarters in Waukesha, Wisconsin.[106] Crime Main article: Crime in Wisconsin Statewide FBI Crime statistics for 2009 include 144 murders/non-negligent manslaughter; 1,108 rapes; 4,850 robberies; 8,431 aggravated assaults; and 147,486 property crimes.[107] Wisconsin also publishes its own statistics through the Bureau of Justice Information and Analysis.[108] The state reported 14,603 violent crimes in 2009, with a clearance rate (% solved) of 50%.[109] The state reported 4,633 sexual assaults in 2009, with an overall clearance rate for sexual assaults of 57%. Government The Wisconsin State Capitol is located on the isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, in the city of Madison. Wisconsin's Constitution outlines the structure and function of state government, which is organized into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Wisconsin Blue Book is the primary published reference about the government and politics of the state. Re-published every two years, copies are available from state legislators. In a 2020 study, Wisconsin was ranked as the 25th easiest state for citizens to vote in.[110] Executive Privy Seal of Wisconsin The executive branch is headed by the governor. The current governor, Tony Evers, assumed office on January 7, 2019. In addition to the governor, the executive branch includes five other elected constitutional officers: Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Four members of the Wisconsin executive branch are Democrats. The Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin is a non-partisan position. Legislative The Wisconsin State Legislature is Wisconsin's legislative branch. The Legislature is a bicameral body consisting of the Assembly and the Senate. The Senate Chamber of the Wisconsin State Capitol Judicial Wisconsin's court system has four levels: municipal courts, circuit courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Municipal courts typically handle cases involving local ordinance matters. The circuit courts are Wisconsin's trial courts, they have original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal cases within the state. Challenges to circuit court rulings are heard by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, consisting of sixteen judges who typically sit in three-judge panels. As the state's highest appellate court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court may hear both appeals from lower courts and original actions. In addition to deciding cases, the Supreme Court is responsible for administering the state's court system and regulating the practice of law in Wisconsin.[111] Federal In the United States Senate Wisconsin is represented by Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin. Wisconsin is divided into eight congressional districts. Taxes Wisconsin Budget (2021) Main articles: Sales taxes in the United States, Property tax in the United States, and State income tax Wisconsin collects personal income taxes (based on five income brackets) which range from 4% to 7.65%. The state sales and use tax rate is 5.0%. Fifty-nine counties have an additional sales/use tax of 0.5%.[112] Milwaukee County and four surrounding counties have an additional temporary 0.1% tax that helps fund the Miller Park baseball stadium, which was completed in 2001. The most common property tax assessed on Wisconsin residents is the real property tax, or their residential property tax. Wisconsin does not impose a property tax on vehicles, but does levy an annual registration fee. Property taxes are the most important tax revenue source for Wisconsin's local governments, as well as major methods of funding school districts, vocational technical colleges, special purpose districts and tax incremental finance districts. Equalized values are based on the full market value of all taxable property in the state, except for agricultural land. In order to provide property tax relief for farmers, the value of agricultural land is determined by its value for agricultural uses, rather than for its possible development value. Equalized values are used to distribute state aid payments to counties, municipalities, and technical colleges. Assessments prepared by local assessors are used to distribute the property tax burden within individual municipalities. Wisconsin does not assess a tax on intangible property. Wisconsin does not collect inheritance taxes. Until January 1, 2008, Wisconsin's estate tax was decoupled from the federal estate tax laws; therefore the state imposed its own estate tax on certain large estates.[113] There are no toll roads in Wisconsin; highway construction and maintenance are funded in part by motor fuel tax revenues, and the remaining balance is drawn from the State General Fund. Non-highway road construction and maintenance are funded by local governments (municipalities or counties). International relations A Mexican consulate opened in Milwaukee on July 1, 2016.[114] Wisconsin has had a diplomatic relationship with the Japanese prefecture of Chiba since 1990.[72] Politics Main article: Politics of Wisconsin This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Wisconsin" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) United States presidential election results for Wisconsin[115]  Year Republican / Whig Democratic Third party No.  % No.  % No.  % 2020 1,610,184 48.82% 1,630,866 49.45% 56,991 1.73% 2016 1,405,284 47.22% 1,382,536 46.45% 188,330 6.33% 2012 1,407,966 45.89% 1,620,985 52.83% 39,483 1.29% 2008 1,262,393 42.31% 1,677,211 56.22% 43,813 1.47% 2004 1,478,120 49.32% 1,489,504 49.70% 29,383 0.98% 2000 1,237,279 47.61% 1,242,987 47.83% 118,341 4.55% 1996 845,029 38.48% 1,071,971 48.81% 279,169 12.71% 1992 930,855 36.78% 1,041,066 41.13% 559,193 22.09% 1988 1,047,499 47.80% 1,126,794 51.41% 17,315 0.79% 1984 1,198,800 54.19% 995,847 45.02% 17,369 0.79% 1980 1,088,845 47.90% 981,584 43.18% 202,792 8.92% 1976 1,004,987 47.83% 1,040,232 49.50% 56,117 2.67% 1972 989,430 53.40% 810,174 43.72% 53,286 2.88% 1968 809,997 47.89% 748,804 44.27% 132,737 7.85% 1964 638,495 37.74% 1,050,424 62.09% 2,896 0.17% 1960 895,175 51.77% 830,805 48.05% 3,102 0.18% 1956 954,844 61.58% 586,768 37.84% 8,946 0.58% 1952 979,744 60.95% 622,175 38.71% 5,451 0.34% 1948 590,959 46.28% 647,310 50.70% 38,531 3.02% 1944 674,532 50.37% 650,413 48.57% 14,207 1.06% 1940 679,206 48.32% 704,821 50.15% 21,495 1.53% 1936 380,828 30.26% 802,984 63.80% 74,748 5.94% 1932 347,741 31.19% 707,410 63.46% 59,657 5.35% 1928 544,205 53.52% 450,259 44.28% 22,367 2.20% 1924 311,614 37.06% 68,115 8.10% 461,097 54.84% 1920 498,576 71.10% 113,422 16.17% 89,282 12.73% 1916 220,822 49.39% 191,363 42.80% 34,949 7.82% 1912 130,596 32.65% 164,230 41.06% 105,149 26.29% 1908 247,747 54.52% 166,662 36.67% 40,032 8.81% 1904 280,315 63.21% 124,205 28.01% 38,921 8.78% 1900 265,760 60.06% 159,163 35.97% 17,578 3.97% 1896 268,135 59.93% 165,523 37.00% 13,751 3.07% 1892 171,101 46.05% 177,325 47.72% 23,155 6.23% 1888 176,553 49.79% 155,232 43.77% 22,829 6.44% 1884 161,135 50.38% 146,453 45.79% 12,247 3.83% 1880 144,398 54.04% 114,644 42.91% 8,145 3.05% 1876 130,067 50.57% 123,926 48.19% 3,184 1.24% 1872 104,994 54.60% 86,477 44.97% 834 0.43% 1868 108,900 56.25% 84,703 43.75% 0 0.00% 1864 83,458 55.88% 65,884 44.12% 0 0.00% 1860 86,113 56.59% 65,021 42.73% 1,049 0.69% 1856 66,090 55.30% 52,843 44.22% 579 0.48% 1852 22,210 34.34% 33,658 52.04% 8,814 13.63% 1848 13,747 35.10% 15,001 38.30% 10,418 26.60% During the Civil War, Wisconsin was a Republican state; in fact, it is the state that gave birth to the Republican Party, although ethno-religious issues in the late 19th century caused a brief split in the coalition. The Bennett Law campaign of 1890 dealt with foreign language teaching in schools. Many Germans switched to the Democratic Party because of the Republican Party's support of the law.[116] Wisconsin's political history encompasses, on the one hand, Robert La Follette and the Progressive movement, and on the other, the Republican and anti-Communist Joe McCarthy. From the early 20th century, the Socialist Party of America had a base in Milwaukee. The phenomenon was referred to as "sewer socialism" because the elected officials were more concerned with public works and reform than with revolution (although revolutionary socialism existed in the city as well). Its influence faded in the late 1950s largely because of the red scare and racial tensions.[117] The first Socialist mayor of a large city in the United States was Emil Seidel, elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1910; another Socialist, Daniel Hoan, was mayor of Milwaukee from 1916 to 1940; and a third, Frank P. Zeidler, from 1948 to 1960. Succeeding Frank Zeidler, the last of Milwaukee's Socialist mayors, Henry Maier, a former Wisconsin State Senator and member of the Democratic Party was elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1960. Maier remained in office for 28 years, the longest-serving mayor in Milwaukee history. Socialist newspaper editor Victor Berger was repeatedly elected as a U.S. Representative, although he was prevented from serving for some time because of his opposition to the First World War. Through the first half of the 20th century, Wisconsin's politics were dominated by Robert La Follette and his sons, originally of the Republican Party, but later of the revived Progressive Party. Since 1945, the state has maintained a close balance between Republicans and Democrats. Recent leading Republicans include former Governor Tommy Thompson and Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner; prominent Democrats include Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, the only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act in 2001, and Congressman David Obey.[118] Some have argued the state has experienced democratic backsliding since 2011.[119][120][121] Some political scientists classify Wisconsin as a hybrid regime;[119] the state's House of Representative and legislature elections are considered to be free but not fair, with districts undergoing "extreme partisan gerrymanders" to entrench Republicans "beyond electoral rotation".[119][120][122] Dan Kaufman writes that Wisconsin has been transformed:[123] ...into what the journalist David Daley calls a 'democracy desert'—a place where voters stand little chance of effecting political change. and that:[123] In its most recent biannual report, the Electoral Integrity Project, which measures the democratic attributes of electoral systems, gave Wisconsin’s district maps twenty-three points out of a hundred, the worst rating of any state in the country. The score is on par with that of the Democratic Republic of the Congo." Ginsburg and Huq (2018) write that Wisconsin's political system compromises a mixed regime and is a:[119] ..."blurred and imperfect" [boundary] between democracy and its alternatives. while noting that:[119] In Wisconsin, even accepting the most extreme assertations of partisan gerrymandering, it remains the case that [it] can lead to some measure of democratic rotation of power. Among these are primary elections, which can be competitive even if a general election is [intentionally designed to be] not, as well as municipal and statewide ballots. Federal elections See also: United States presidential elections in Wisconsin A middle-aged man in a white shirt and black and yellow striped tie speaks into a microphone on stage in front of a crowd. Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan was the 2012 Republican Party nominee for vice-president. In 2020, Wisconsin leaned back in the Democratic party's direction as Joe Biden won the state by an even narrower margin of 0.7%. Biden's win was largely carried by Milwaukee and Dane counties with the rural areas of the state being carried by Trump.[124] Wisconsin has leaned Democratic in recent presidential elections, although Donald Trump managed to win the state in 2016 by a narrow margin of 0.8%. This marked the first time Wisconsin voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1984, when every state except Minnesota and Washington D.C. went Republican. In 2012, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney chose Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, a native of Janesville, as his running mate against incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Obama nevertheless carried Wisconsin by a margin of 53% to 46%. Both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections were quite close, with Wisconsin receiving heavy doses of national advertising, in accord with its status as a "swing", or pivot, state. Al Gore carried the presidential vote in 2000 by 5,700 votes, and John Kerry won Wisconsin in 2004 by 11,000 votes. Barack Obama carried the state in 2008 by 381,000 votes (56%). Republicans had a stronghold in the Fox Valley, but elected a Democrat, Steve Kagen, of Appleton, for the 8th Congressional District in 2006. However, Kagen survived only two terms and was replaced by Republican Reid Ribble in the Republican Party's sweep of Wisconsin in November 2010, the first time the Republican Party had taken back both chambers of the state legislature and the governorship in the same election. The City of Milwaukee heads the list of Wisconsin's Democratic strongholds, which also includes Madison and the state's Native American reservations. Wisconsin's largest Congressional district, the 7th, had voted Democratic since 1969. Its representative, David Obey, chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee.[125] However, Obey retired and the once-Democratic seat was taken by Republican Sean Duffy in November 2010. The 2010 elections saw a huge Republican resurgence in Wisconsin. Republicans took control of the governor's office and both houses of the state legislature. Republican Ron Johnson defeated Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator Russ Feingold and Republicans took two previously Democratic-held House seats, creating a 5–3 Republican majority House delegation. State elections The 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 led to large protests around the state capitol building in Madison.[126] At the statewide level, Wisconsin is competitive, with control regularly alternating between the two parties. In 2006, Democrats gained in a national sweep of opposition to the Bush administration, and the Iraq War. The retiring GOP 8th District Congressman, Mark Green, of Green Bay, ran against the incumbent Governor Jim Doyle. Green lost by 8% statewide, making Doyle the first Democratic governor to be re-elected in 32 years. The Republicans lost control of the state Senate. Although Democrats gained eight seats in the state Assembly, Republicans retained a five-vote majority. In 2008, Democrats regained control of the State Assembly by a 52–46 margin, marking the first time since 1986 that the governor and state legislature were both Democratic.[127] With the election of Scott Walker in 2010, Republicans won both chambers of the legislature and the governorship, the first time all three changed partisan control in the same election. His first year in office saw the introduction of the 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, which removed collective bargaining rights for state employees. On February 14, 2011, the Wisconsin State Capitol erupted with protests when the Legislature took up a bill that would end most collective bargaining rights for state employees, except for wages, to address the $3.6 billion deficit. The protests attracted tens of thousands of people each day for months and garnered international attention. The Assembly passed the bill 53–42 on March 10 after the State Senate passed it the night before, and sent it to the Governor for his signature.[128] In response to the bill, enough signatures were gathered to force a recall election against Governor Walker. Tom Barrett, the mayor of Milwaukee and Walker's 2010 opponent, won the Democratic primary and faced Walker again. Walker won the election by 53% to 46% and became the first governor in United States history to retain his seat after a recall election. Walker enacted other bills promoting conservative governance, such as a right-to-work law,[129] abortion restrictions,[130] and legislation removing certain gun controls.[131][132][133] Following the 2014 general election on November 4, 2014, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Attorney General and State Treasurer were all Republicans, while the Secretary of State was a Democrat.[134] However, Walker was defeated for a third term in 2018 by Democrat Tony Evers. Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin was also elected to a second term and Democrats won all constitutional statewide offices on the ballot including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer, the first time this happened in Wisconsin since 1982. When Walker lost re-election in 2018, he collaborated with the gerrymandered Republican legislature to strip powers from the incoming Governor and Attorney General.[135] Economy See also: Wisconsin locations by per capita income The U.S. Bank Center in downtown Milwaukee is home to the headquarters of Foley & Lardner, Robert W. Baird & Company, Sensient Technologies Corporation, and is the Milwaukee office for U.S. Bank, IBM, and CBRE. In 2019 Wisconsin's gross state product was $349.416 billion, making it 21st among U.S. states.[136] The economy of Wisconsin is driven by manufacturing, agriculture, and health care. The state's economic output from manufacturing was $48.9 billion in 2008, making it the tenth largest among states in manufacturing gross domestic product.[137] Manufacturing accounts for about 20% of the state's gross domestic product, a proportion that is third among all states.[138] The per capita personal income was $35,239 in 2008. In March 2017, the state's unemployment rate was 3.4% (seasonally adjusted).[139] In quarter four of 2011, the largest employers in Wisconsin were: Walmart University of Wisconsin–Madison Milwaukee Public Schools U.S. Postal Service Wisconsin Department of Corrections Menards Marshfield Clinic Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Target Corporation, and City of Milwaukee.[140] Agriculture Main article: Agriculture in Wisconsin See also: Wisconsin dairy industry Corn planting in Wisconsin Wisconsin produces about a quarter of America's cheese, leading the nation in cheese production.[141][142] It is second in milk production, after California,[143] and third in per-capita milk production, behind California and Vermont.[144] Wisconsin is second in butter production, producing about one-quarter of the nation's butter.[145] The state ranks first nationally in the production of corn for silage, cranberries,[146] ginseng,[147] and snap beans for processing. It grows more than half the national crop of cranberries.[146] and 97% of the nation's ginseng.[147] Wisconsin is also a leading producer of oats, potatoes, carrots, tart cherries, maple syrup, and sweet corn for processing. The significance of the state's agricultural production is exemplified by the depiction of a Holstein cow, an ear of corn, and a wheel of cheese on Wisconsin's state quarter design.[148] The state annually selects an "Alice in Dairyland" to promote the state's agricultural products around the world.[149] A large part of the state's manufacturing sector includes commercial food processing, including well-known brands such as Oscar Mayer, Tombstone frozen pizza, Johnsonville brats, and Usinger's sausage. Kraft Foods alone employs more than 5,000 people in the state. Milwaukee is a major producer of beer and was formerly headquarters for Miller Brewing Company—the nation's second-largest brewer—until it merged with Coors. Formerly, Schlitz, Blatz, and Pabst were cornerstone breweries in Milwaukee. Badger State State Animal: Badger State Domesticated Animal: Dairy cow State Wild Animal: White-tailed deer State Beverage: Milk State Dairy Product: Cheese[150] State Fruit: Cranberry State Bird: Robin State Capital: Madison State Dog: American water spaniel State pro football team: Green Bay Packers State pro baseball team: Milwaukee Brewers State pro basketball team: Milwaukee Bucks State pro hockey team: Milwaukee Admirals State Fish: Muskellunge State Flower: Wood violet State Fossil: Trilobite State Grain: Corn State Insect: European honey bee State Motto: Forward State Song: "On, Wisconsin!" State Tree: Sugar maple State Mineral: Galena (Lead sulfide) State Rock: Red granite State Soil: Antigo silt loam State Dance: Polka State Symbol of Peace: Mourning dove State microbe Lactococcus lactis State Pastry: Kringle Manufacturing Wisconsin is home to a very large and diversified manufacturing economy, with special focus on transportation and capital equipment. Major Wisconsin companies in these categories include the Kohler Company; Mercury Marine; Rockwell Automation; Johnson Controls; John Deere; Briggs & Stratton; Milwaukee Electric Tool Company; Miller Electric; Caterpillar Inc.; Joy Global; Oshkosh Corporation; Harley-Davidson; Case IH; S. C. Johnson & Son; Ashley Furniture; Ariens; and Evinrude Outboard Motors. Consumer goods Wisconsin is a major producer of paper, packaging, and other consumer goods. Major consumer products companies based in the state include SC Johnson & Co., and Diversey, Inc. Wisconsin also ranks first nationwide in the production of paper products; the lower Fox River from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay has 24 paper mills along its 39 miles (63 km) stretch. The development and manufacture of health care devices and software is a growing sector of the state's economy, with key players such as GE Healthcare, Epic Systems, and TomoTherapy. Tourism Further information: Economy of Door County, Wisconsin State welcome sign Tourism is a major industry in Wisconsin—the state's third largest, according to the Department of Tourism. Tourist destinations such as the House on the Rock near Spring Green, Circus World Museum in Baraboo, and The Dells of the Wisconsin River draw thousands of visitors annually, and festivals such as Summerfest and the EAA Oshkosh Airshow draw international attention, along with hundreds of thousands of visitors.[151] Given the large number of lakes and rivers in the state, water recreation is very popular. In the North Country, what had been an industrial area focused on timber has largely been transformed into a vacation destination. Popular interest in the environment and environmentalism, added to traditional interests in hunting and fishing, has attracted a large urban audience within driving range.[152] The distinctive Door Peninsula, which extends off the eastern coast of the state, contains one of the state's tourist destinations, Door County. Door County is a popular destination for boaters because of the large number of natural harbors, bays, and boat launches on both the Green Bay and Lake Michigan sides of the peninsula that forms the county. The area draws more than two million visitors yearly[153] to its quaint villages, seasonal cherry picking, and fish boils.[154] Film industry On January 1, 2008, a new tax incentive for the film industry came into effect. The first major production to take advantage was Michael Mann's Public Enemies. While the producers spent $18 million on the film, it was reported that most of it went to out-of-state workers and for out-of-state services; Wisconsin taxpayers had provided $4.6 million in subsidies, and derived only $5 million in revenues from the film's making.[155] During this period, the movie Transformers: Dark of the Moon also used Milwaukee as a filming location.[156] This incentive was eliminated in 2013.[157] Energy See also: Focus on Energy, Wind power in Wisconsin, and Solar power in Wisconsin Wisconsin has no production of oil, gas, or coal.[158] Its in-state electrical generation is mostly from coal. Other important electricity sources are natural gas and nuclear.[158] The state has a mandate that ten percent of its electrical energy come from renewable sources by the end of 2015.[159] This goal has been met, but not with in-state sources. As of 2014, a third of that ten percent comes from out of state sources, mostly wind generated electricity from Minnesota and Iowa. The state has agnostic policies for developing wind power in state.[160] Transportation Airports See also: List of airports in Wisconsin Wisconsin is served by eight commercial service airports, in addition to a number of general aviation airports. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is the largest international commercial airport located in Wisconsin. Intercity bus service See also: List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin Wisconsin is served by multiple intercity bus operators, which provide service to 71 stops and 53 cities. Major highways See also: List of state trunk highways in Wisconsin The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is responsible for planning, building and maintaining the state's highways. Eight Interstate Highways are located in the state. Rail service Map Showing Lines of The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company c 1907 vte Wisconsin passenger rail See also: List of Wisconsin railroads Amtrak provides daily passenger rail service between Chicago and Milwaukee through the Hiawatha Service. Also provided is cross-country service via the Empire Builder with stops in several cities across Wisconsin.[161] Commuter rail provider Metra's Union Pacific North (UP-N) line has its northern terminus in Kenosha, the only Metra line and station in the state of Wisconsin.[162] The Hop, a modern streetcar system in Milwaukee, began service in 2018. The 2.1 mile (3.4 km) initial line runs from Milwaukee Intermodal Station to Burns Commons. The system is expected to be expanded in the future. Important municipalities Further information: List of municipalities in Wisconsin by population and Administrative divisions of Wisconsin Wisconsin counties Over 68% of Wisconsin residents live in urban areas, with the Greater Milwaukee area home to roughly one-third of the state's population.[163] With more than 590,000 residents, Milwaukee is the 30th-largest city in the country.[164] The string of cities along the western edge of Lake Michigan is generally considered to be an example of a megalopolis. With a population of nearly 260,000, Madison is consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in both the state and country and is the fastest-growing city in Wisconsin.[165][166] Medium-size cities dot the state and anchor a network of working farms surrounding them. As of 2011, there were 12 cities in Wisconsin with a population of 50,000 or more, accounting for 73% of the state's employment.[167] Wisconsin has three types of municipality: cities, villages, and towns. Cities and villages are incorporated urban areas. Towns are unincorporated minor civil divisions of counties with limited self-government.    Largest cities or towns in Wisconsin [168] Rank Name County Pop. Milwaukee Milwaukee Madison Madison 1 Milwaukee Milwaukee 577,222 Green Bay Green Bay Kenosha Kenosha 2 Madison Dane 269,840 3 Green Bay Brown 107,395 4 Kenosha Kenosha 99,986 5 Racine Racine 77,816 6 Appleton Outagamie 75,644 7 Waukesha Waukesha 71,158 8 Eau Claire Eau Claire 69,421 9 Oshkosh Winnebago 66,816 10 Janesville Rock 65,615 Education See also: List of colleges and universities in Wisconsin, List of high schools in Wisconsin, and List of school districts in Wisconsin Wisconsin, along with Minnesota and Michigan, was among the Midwestern leaders in the emergent American state university movement following the Civil War in the United States. By the start of the 20th century, education in the state advocated the "Wisconsin Idea", which emphasized service to the people of the state. The "Wisconsin Idea" exemplified the Progressive movement within colleges and universities at the time.[169] Wisconsin private universities & colleges map Today, public post-secondary education in Wisconsin includes both the 26-campus University of Wisconsin System, with the flagship university University of Wisconsin–Madison, and the 16-campus Wisconsin Technical College System. Private colleges and universities include Alverno College, Beloit College, Cardinal Stritch University, Carroll University, Carthage College, Concordia University Wisconsin, Edgewood College, Lakeland College, Lawrence University, Marquette University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Ripon College, St. Norbert College, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Viterbo University, and others. Culture Music stage at Summerfest, 1994 The Milwaukee Art Museum Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin in Spring Green Residents of Wisconsin are referred to as Wisconsinites. The traditional prominence of references to dairy farming and cheesemaking in Wisconsin's rural economy (the state's license plates have read "America's Dairyland" since 1940)[170] have led to the nickname (sometimes used pejoratively among non-residents) of "cheeseheads", and to the creation of "cheesehead hats" made of yellow foam in the shape of a wedge of cheese. Numerous ethnic festivals are held throughout Wisconsin to celebrate the heritage of its citizens. Such festivals include Summerfest, Oktoberfest, Polish Fest, Festa Italiana, Irish Fest, Bastille Days, Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day), Brat(wurst) Days in Sheboygan, Polka Days, Cheese Days in Monroe and Mequon, African World Festival, Indian Summer, Arab Fest, Wisconsin Highland Games, and many others.[171] Art Music Main article: Music of Wisconsin Wisconsin's music festivals include Eaux Claires,[172] Country Fest, Country Jam USA, the Hodag Country Festival, Porterfield Country Music Festival, Country Thunder USA in Twin Lakes,[172] and Country USA. Milwaukee hosts Summerfest, dubbed "The World's Largest Music Festival", every year. This festival is held at the lakefront Henry Maier Festival Park just south of downtown, as are a summer-long array of ethnic musical festivals. The Wisconsin Area Music Industry provides an annual WAMI event where it presents an awards show for top Wisconsin artists.[173] Architecture The Milwaukee Art Museum, with its brise soleil designed by Santiago Calatrava, is known for its interesting architecture. Monona Terrace in Madison, a convention center designed by Taliesin architect Anthony Puttnam, is based on a 1930s design by Wisconsin native Frank Lloyd Wright.[174] Wright's home and studio in the 20th century was at Taliesin, south of Spring Green. Decades after Wright's death, Taliesin remains an architectural office and school for his followers. With the immigration of northern Europeans into Wisconsin and the upper Midwest, they brought the techniques of building Log homes with them.[175] Alcohol culture Drinking has long been considered a significant part of Wisconsin culture, and the state ranks at or near the top of national measures of per-capita alcohol consumption, consumption of alcohol per state, and proportion of drinkers. Consumption per-capita per-event, however, ranks low among the nation; number of events (number of times alcohol is involved) is significantly higher or highest, but consumption at each event smaller, marking Wisconsin's consumption as frequent and moderate.[176] Factors such as cultural identification with the state's heritage of German immigration, the long-standing presence of major breweries in Milwaukee, and a cold climate are often associated with the prevalence of drinking in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, the legal drinking age is 21, except when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least 21 years old. Age requirements are waived for possessing alcohol when employed by a brewer, brewpub, wholesaler, or producer of alcohol fuel. The minimum legal age to purchase alcohol is 21, with no exceptions.[177] The Absolute Sobriety law states that any person not of legal drinking age (currently 21) may not drive after consuming alcohol.[178] On September 30, 2003, the state legislature, reluctant to lower a DUI offense from BAC 0.10 to 0.08, did so only as a result of federal government pressure.[179] The Wisconsin Tavern League opposes raising the alcoholic beverage tax. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel series "Wasted in Wisconsin" examined this situation.[180] Recreation See also: List of Wisconsin amusement parks The varied landscape of Wisconsin makes the state a popular vacation destination for outdoor recreation. Winter events include skiing, ice fishing and snowmobile derbies. Wisconsin is situated on two Great Lakes and has many inland lakes of varied size; the state contains 11,188 square miles (28,980 km2) of water, more than all but three other states—Alaska, Michigan, and Florida.[181] The Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary was established in 2021 in the waters of Lake Michigan off Wisconsin and is the site of a large number of historically significant shipwrecks.[182][183][184] Outdoor activities are popular in Wisconsin, especially hunting and fishing. One of the most prevalent game animals is the whitetail deer. Each year in Wisconsin, well over 600,000 deer-hunting licenses are sold.[185] In 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources projected the pre-hunt deer population to be between 1.5 and 1.7 million. Sports Main article: Sports in Wisconsin Lambeau Field in Green Bay is home to the NFL's Packers. Wisconsin is represented by major league teams in three sports: football, baseball, and basketball. Lambeau Field, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is home to the National Football League's Green Bay Packers. The Packers have been part of the NFL since the league's second season in 1921 and hold the record for the most NFL titles, earning the city of Green Bay the nickname "Titletown USA". The Packers are the smallest city franchise in the NFL and the only one owned by shareholders statewide. The franchise was founded by "Curly" Lambeau, who played and coached for them. The Green Bay Packers are one of the most successful small-market professional sports franchises in the world and have won 13 NFL championships, including the first two AFL-NFL Championship games (Super Bowls I and II), Super Bowl XXXI and Super Bowl XLV. The state's support of the team is evidenced by the 81,000-person waiting list for season tickets to Lambeau Field.[186] American Family Field is the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers. The Milwaukee Brewers, the state's only major league baseball team, play in American Family Field in Milwaukee, the successor to Milwaukee County Stadium since 2001. In 1982, the Brewers won the American League Championship, marking their most successful season. The team switched from the American League to the National League starting with the 1998 season. Before the Brewers, Milwaukee had two prior Major League teams. The first team, also called the Brewers, played only one season in the newly founded American League in 1901 before moving to St. Louis and becoming the Browns, who are now the Baltimore Orioles. Milwaukee was also the home of the Braves franchise when they moved from Boston from 1953 to 1965, winning the World Series in 1957 and the National League pennant in 1958, before they moved to Atlanta.[187] The Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association play home games at the Fiserv Forum. The Bucks won the NBA Championship in 1971 and 2021.[188] The state also has minor league teams in hockey (Milwaukee Admirals) and baseball (the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, based in Appleton and the Beloit Sky Carp of the High-A minor leagues). In addition to these affiliated minor league teams, Wisconsin has the American Association of Professional Baseball 2020 Championship team, the Milwaukee Milkmen based in Franklin,[189] and in 2022 the Lake Country Dockhounds will begin playing in Oconomowoc.[190] Wisconsin is also home to the Madison Mallards, the La Crosse Loggers, the Lakeshore Chinooks, the Eau Claire Express, the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, the Green Bay Booyah, the Kenosha Kingfish, the Wisconsin Woodchucks, and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the Northwoods League, a collegiate all-star summer league. In addition to the Packers, Green Bay is also the home to an indoor football team, the Green Bay Blizzard of the IFL. The state is home to the seven-time MISL/MASL Champion Milwaukee Wave.[191] Wisconsin is also home to Forward Madison FC, which is a professional soccer team that plays in the USL League One. Wisconsin also has many college sports programs, including the Wisconsin Badgers, of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Panthers of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Badgers football former head coach Barry Alvarez led the Badgers to three Rose Bowl championships, including back-to-back victories in 1999 and 2000. The Badger men's basketball team won the national title in 1941 and made trips to college basketball's Final Four in 2000, 2014, and 2015. The Badgers claimed a historic dual championship in 2006 when both the women's and men's hockey teams won national titles. The Marquette Golden Eagles of the Big East Conference, the state's other major collegiate program, is known for its men's basketball team, which, under the direction of Al McGuire, won the NCAA National Championship in 1977. The team returned to the Final Four in 2003. Many other schools in the University of Wisconsin system compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at the Division III level. The conference is one of the most successful in the nation, claiming 107 NCAA national championships in 15 different sports as of March 30, 2015.[192] The Semi-Professional Northern Elite Football League consists of many teams from Wisconsin. The league is made up of former professional, collegiate, and high school players. Teams from Wisconsin include: The Green Bay Gladiators from Green Bay, The Fox Valley Force in Appleton, The Kimberly Storm in Kimberly, The Central Wisconsin Spartans in Wausau, The Eau Claire Crush and the Chippewa Valley Predators from Eau Claire, and the Lake Superior Rage from Superior. The league also has teams in Michigan and Minnesota. Teams play from May until August. Wisconsin is home to the world's oldest operational racetrack. The Milwaukee Mile, located in Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin, held races there that considerably predate the Indy 500.[193] Wisconsin is home to the nation's oldest operating velodrome in Kenosha where races have been held every year since 1927.[194] Sheboygan is home to Whistling Straits golf club which has hosted PGA Championships in 2004, 2010 and 2015 and the Ryder Cup golf competition between USA and Europe in 2020.[195] The Greater Milwaukee Open, later named the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, was a PGA Tour tournament from 1968 to 2009 held annually in Brown Deer. In 2017, Erin Hills, a golf course in Erin, Wisconsin, approximately 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee, hosted the U.S. Open.[196] See also flag Wisconsin portal flag United States portal Index of Wisconsin-related articles List of people from Wisconsin Outline of Wisconsin Impeachment in Wisconsin Notes
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