Milwaukee

Milwaukee is the biggest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is on the western shore of Lake Michigan where the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers meet.

The area was first home to various Algonquian peoples. After the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, European settlers built the city as a busy port. Milwaukee became an official city in 1846 and grew as many people from Germany and other parts of Europe moved there. The city became famous for making beer, with big breweries like Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz leading the way.

Today, Milwaukee is a colorful place with many different kinds of people. The city has a strong economy and is home to important companies such as Northwestern Mutual, Fiserv, and ManpowerGroup. Milwaukee also has many places to learn and enjoy, like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the huge music event Summerfest. Sports fans love the city's teams, the Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks.

History

Name

The name "Milwaukee" has many theories. One idea is that it comes from a Native American word meaning "good land." Another theory says it means "gathering place." The city says the name might come from a word meaning "council grounds." The spelling of the city's name changed many times before 1844. People on one side of the river called it "Milwaukee," while others used "Milwaukie." Other old spellings included "Melleokii," "Millioki," and "Milwahkie." The newspaper called it "Milwaukie" until it changed to "Milwaukee" in 1844. A city in Oregon is still named Milwaukie.

Indigenous cultures

For thousands of years, Native American tribes lived around the rivers and lakes near Milwaukee. Tribes such as the Menominee, Meskwaki, Sauk, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Ho-Chunk were among the first known groups to live in the area. In the 1700s, these tribes took part in big wars between European countries. After the American Revolutionary War, they fought the United States in another war. Later, they signed a treaty and moved west of the Mississippi River.

European settlement

Europeans arrived in the Milwaukee area in the late 1700s. The first European settler was a trader named Alexis Laframboise, who set up a trading post in 1785.

Milwaukee grew from three small settlements started by Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn, and George H. Walker. In 1835, these settlements began to grow, and in 1846, they joined together to form the City of Milwaukee, with Solomon Juneau as its first mayor.

Growth and immigration

Milwaukee grew quickly in the 1800s, especially when many German immigrants moved to the area. These immigrants brought their traditions and started clubs and schools. Other groups, such as Polish, Italian, Irish, and others, also came to Milwaukee and added to its culture. The city became known for its many festivals celebrating these different heritages.

20th century to present

In the early 1900s, Milwaukee had leaders who believed in sharing ideas and helping workers. The city also saw changes as people moved to suburbs. In the 1990s, a problem with the city's water made many people sick.

Since the 1980s, Milwaukee has worked to improve its neighborhoods and attract new businesses. Projects like the Bradley Symphony Center, a streetcar system, and a new sports arena have helped the city grow. In 2025, the city faced heavy rain that caused flooding.

Geography

Milwaukee is a city along the shores of Lake Michigan. It is where three rivers meet: the Menomonee, the Kinnickinnic, and the Milwaukee River. Smaller rivers and streams also flow through the city.

The land in Milwaukee was shaped by glaciers, making steep hills near the lake and flat areas farther away. The city covers about 97 square miles, mostly land with just a little water. Most of the city is in Milwaukee County, with a few small parts in nearby counties.

Milwaukee has many neighborhoods with special homes called "Polish flats." These are two-story houses where families can live on one floor and rent out the other as an apartment. The city's tallest building is the U.S. Bank Center, which is 601 feet tall.

Milwaukee has cold winters and warm summers. Because it is near a big lake, the weather can change quickly. Summer often brings thunderstorms with rain, and winter can have snow. The city is working to fight climate change by using more clean energy and helping homes save energy.

Demographics

See also: Irish in Milwaukee, Germans in Milwaukee, and African Americans in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is the 31st-most populous city in the United States and is part of the 39th-most populous metropolitan statistical area in the country. The city's population has been getting smaller with each count since 1970. In 2012, Milwaukee was called a gamma city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 577,222 people in Milwaukee. The population density was 6,001.2 people per square mile (2,317.1/km²). There were 257,723 places to live, with an average of 2,679.5 per square mile (1,034.6/km²). In terms of ethnicity, 20.1% of the people were Hispanic or Latino. Looking only at 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.

For the years 2016–2020, the middle income for a household was $43,125, and for a family it was $51,170. Men working full-time earned $42,859 on average, while women earned $37,890. The per capita income was $24,167. About 19.6% of families and 24.6% of all people were below the poverty line, including 35.1% of children under age 18 and 14.5% of people aged 65 or older. Among adults aged 25 and over, 84.4% had finished high school, and 24.6% had a bachelor's degree or higher.

Racial and ethnic groups

In the 2010 Census, Milwaukee was 44.8% White (37.0% non-Hispanic white), 40.0% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.5% Asian, and 3.4% from two or more races. About 17.3% of the people were of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.

In the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, 38.3% of people said they had African American family roots and 20.8% said they had German family roots. Other groups included Polish (8.8%), Irish (6.5%), Italian (3.6%), English (2.8%), and French (1.7%). In 2010, the largest Hispanic groups were Mexican, Puerto Rican, and other Hispanic or Latino people. By 2022, the German American population was 87,601, and the Mexican American population was 82,845, making up over 60% of the city's Latino population.

Religion

In 2010, about 51.8% of people in the Milwaukee area said they went to religious services often. In 2012, 24.6% said they were Catholic, 10.8% said they were Lutheran, 1.6% said they were Methodist, and 0.6% said they were Jewish. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee is based in the city, along with the School Sisters of St. Francis and other religious groups. Milwaukee has many old Catholic churches, including the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The oldest church building in the city is St. Joan of Arc Chapel, originally built around 1420 in France and now on the Marquette University campus. The Basilica of St. Josaphat was the first church in Wisconsin to receive a special title.

The area also includes the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee and several Lutheran groups. The St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral is important for the Serbian community. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has a presence in the region.

Economy

Milwaukee is called a "Sufficiency" city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. The city has five big companies from the Fortune 500 list: Northwestern Mutual, Fiserv, ManpowerGroup, Rockwell Automation, and WEC Energy Group. Other important companies in Milwaukee include Harley-Davidson, Briggs & Stratton, Brady Corporation, Baird (an investment bank), and many more.

The Milwaukee area has many financial services, publishing, and printing companies. Jobs in services and management are growing fast, and health care alone makes up a lot of all jobs in the city.

Brewing

Further information: Beer in Milwaukee

Milwaukee became famous for beer because of the Germans who settled there in the 1840s. They started many breweries, and by 1856, there were over two dozen in the city. Today, only one big brewery, Miller, is still in Milwaukee. Once, Milwaukee had four of the world's largest breweries and was the top beer-producing city in the world. Now, the city is still known for beer, and many small craft breweries have opened in recent years.

Other industries

Milwaukee was an important port and center for farming products. Wisconsin became a major wheat producer, and railroads helped move the grain to Milwaukee. Milwaukee became a key market in the Midwest, even though Chicago became more important because of its better markets and transportation.

Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley has been a place for manufacturing, stockyards, and other heavy industries. Factories for many products, like flour, beer, and bricks, helped build the city's economy. The valley had many big companies over the years, and Milwaukee was even home to some early automobile makers.

Culture

Milwaukee is a fun place for activities like sailing, boating, and kayaking on Lake Michigan. The city is known for its many festivals, especially during the summer at Henry Maier Festival Park on the lake. You can enjoy music, art, and other cultural events in parks around downtown.

Museums

The Milwaukee Art Museum is a big attraction, with a special wing that looks like a bird’s wing. The Grohmann Museum at the Milwaukee School of Engineering has art about work. The Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University has classical art pieces. The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is in a beautiful old home with gardens and art from Renaissance times. The Charles Allis Art Museum is in a fancy old house with changing art shows.

The Milwaukee Public Museum is one of the main museums in the city. It has exhibits about nature and history, including dinosaurs and insects. The museum also has a movie theater. Discovery World is a science museum near the lake with hands-on exhibits and aquariums. The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is made just for kids under ten, with interactive exhibits to learn and play. Pabst Mansion is a restored old home from 1892 that shows what life was like back then.

Performing arts

Milwaukee has many places for music and theater. The Bel Canto Chorus and Florentine Opera sing beautiful music. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Milwaukee Ballet perform classic shows. There are theaters like the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, and Milwaukee Public Theatre for many kinds of plays. For kids, there is First Stage Children’s Theater, Milwaukee Youth Theatre, and Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. Music fans can enjoy concerts at places like The Rave, Riverside Theater, Turner Hall, and Pabst Theater.

Public art and monuments

Main article: List of public art in Milwaukee

Milwaukee has many statues and sculptures to remember important people and events. Some well-known ones include statues of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, Tadeusz Kościuszko, Casimir Pulaski, Solomon Juneau, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr. There is also a famous statue called the Bronze Fonz.

The city also has colorful street art, especially in Black Cat Alley on the East Side and in the Walker’s Point neighborhood.

Festivals

Milwaukee is famous for its Summerfest, a big music festival held every summer. It is one of the largest music festivals in the world. The city also has many other festivals celebrating different cultures, like Polish Fest, German Fest, Italian Festa Italiana, and others held during the summer and fall.

Cuisine

See also: Candy Raisins

Milwaukee has many kinds of food from different cultures, including German, Italian, Russian, Hmong, French, Serbian, Polish, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Ethiopian.

Music

Milwaukee has a long history of music. Many famous musicians started their careers here, including Les Paul and Liberace. The city has many music venues, with Summerfest being the biggest. It features hundreds of live music acts over 11 days every summer. Other places like Pabst Theater, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, and Riverside Theater also host concerts and shows. Jazz in the Park is a free summer event in Cathedral Square Park where you can enjoy jazz music and picnics.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is home to exciting sports teams! The city has two major professional teams: the Milwaukee Brewers who play baseball in the Major League Baseball, and the Milwaukee Bucks who play basketball in the National Basketball Association. Although Milwaukee doesn’t have its own football or hockey teams, many fans support the Green Bay Packers, a football team.

Besides these big teams, Milwaukee has a long history of other sports. Today, the Milwaukee Mile in western Milwaukee holds exciting car races.

Parks and recreation

Main article: List of parks in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is known for its lovely parks. The "Grand Necklace of Parks" was planned by a famous designer and includes Lake Park, Bradford Beach, Riverside Park, and Washington Park. These parks are perfect for relaxing, picnics, playing disc golf, and ice skating. Milwaukee has many parks covering lots of land.

In summer, Cathedral Park has "Jazz in the Park" on Thursday nights, and Pere Marquette Park has "River Rhythms" on Wednesday nights.

The Milwaukee Riverwalk is a nice walk along the river with art, cafes, and restaurants. It links many places, like the Historic Third Ward and Caesars Park.

Lakeshore State Park is a small park by Lake Michigan, with a beach and greenery.

Milwaukee has nature centers. The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory has big glass domes with plants from many places. The Urban Ecology Center offers programs for kids and adults in different parks. There are also nature centers nearby, like Wehr Nature Center and the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.

Milwaukee Public Market is an indoor market with fresh foods from local sellers. There are also farmers markets around the city where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and handmade crafts.

Government and politics

Main article: Government of Milwaukee

See also: List of mayors of Milwaukee

Milwaukee has a mayor-council style of government. The mayor chooses important leaders, like the heads of the fire and police departments. The Common Council has 15 members and controls the city’s money. They can make laws, except for the mayor’s yearly budget plan.

Milwaukee’s mayors often serve for many years. From 1948 to 2021, only four mayors were elected. The city usually votes for the Democratic Party in elections.

Milwaukee residents also vote for representatives for the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and a County Executive. David Crowley is the current County Executive.

Milwaukee is part of Wisconsin’s 4th congressional district. The district is currently represented by Gwen Moore.

Education

Milwaukee has many places for learning. The largest university in the city is the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, located in the Downer Woods area. Near downtown, Marquette University is the biggest private university in Wisconsin.

For younger students, Milwaukee Public Schools serves almost all of the city. It is the largest school district in Wisconsin and has many kinds of schools. There are also many private schools, including some run by religious groups.

Milwaukee has many colleges and universities. Besides the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and Marquette University, there are schools for medicine, art, and engineering. There are also technical colleges and smaller colleges in the city and nearby.

Media

See also: List of television stations in Wisconsin and List of radio stations in Wisconsin

Milwaukee has a main daily newspaper called the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This newspaper was made when two older papers joined together. The city also has free magazines like Shepherd Express and Wisconsin Gazette, plus many other local papers and magazines such as Milwaukee Magazine, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, and Milwaukee Independent. Online news sites like Urban Milwaukee and OnMilwaukee.com share stories about the city. The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee has its own student newspaper, the UWM Post.

Milwaukee gets its TV news from several stations, including WTMJ 4 (NBC), WITI 6 (Fox), WISN 12 (ABC), WVTV 18/24 (CW/MyNetworkTV), and WDJT 58 (CBS). There are also stations for Spanish speakers, like WTSJ-LD 38 (Visión Latina) and WYTU-LD 63 (Telemundo), as well as public broadcasting stations WMVS 10 and WMVT 36.

Milwaukee has many radio stations and two local cable channels, numbers 13 and 25. The city is also home to Red Letter Media, a group of independent filmmakers.

Infrastructure

Health care

Milwaukee has many places to help people stay healthy. Important ones include the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Other big health care groups are there too.

Transportation

Many people in Milwaukee drive to work, but some use public buses, walk, or ride bikes. The city has two airports: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport for bigger planes and a smaller airport for private planes.

Milwaukee has train services to Chicago and other places. Bus services help people travel around the city and nearby areas.

The city has bus services and a modern streetcar system called The Hop that makes it easy to get around downtown. There are also many highways for car travel.

Milwaukee has many bike paths and plans to add more, making it safer for people to ride bikes. The city has a bike-sharing program with many stations.

The Port of Milwaukee is busy with ships bringing in goods. It is also a place where people can take ferry rides and enjoy cruises on Lake Michigan.

In popular culture

See also: List of people from Milwaukee

Milwaukee has been shown in many TV shows and movies. The sitcom Happy Days was set in Milwaukee and showed life in the 1950s and early 1960s. Another show, Laverne & Shirley, followed two friends who worked at a brewery.

The movie Mr. 3000 stars Bernie Mac as a player for the Milwaukee Brewers. In Wayne's World, the characters meet rock star Alice Cooper after a concert in Milwaukee. The comedy Bridesmaids also has scenes set in the city.

Milwaukee is home to Red Letter Media, a film and video production company. The novel Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon features a detective searching for someone connected to a large Wisconsin cheese fortune in Milwaukee.

Sister cities

Milwaukee has special city friends around the world. These include:

• Abuja, Nigeria
• Bomet, Kenya
• Galway, Ireland
• Irpin, Ukraine
• Kragujevac, Serbia
• Tarime District, Tanzania
• Zadar, Croatia

Another city, Chasse-sur-Rhône, France, is also a friend to Milwaukee. Some other city friends like Daegu in South Korea and Medan in Indonesia are now special past friends.