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Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

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Milwaukee County (/mɪlˈwɔːki/ ⓘ) is a county 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. It was named after the Milwaukee River. The county was created in 1834 as part of Michigan Territory and organized the following year.[4]

Milwaukee County
County
Milwaukee County Courthouse
Milwaukee County Courthouse
Flag of Milwaukee County
Flag
Official seal of Milwaukee County
Seal
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Milwaukee County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°00′00″N 87°58′02″W / 43°N 87.9671°W / 43; -87.9671
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1835
Named forMilwaukee River
SeatMilwaukee
Largest cityMilwaukee
Government
 • ExecutiveDavid Crowley
Area
 • Total
1,189 sq mi (3,080 km2)
 • Land241 sq mi (620 km2)
 • Water948 sq mi (2,460 km2)  80%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
939,489
 • Estimate 
(2023)
916,205 Decrease
 • Density3,890.5/sq mi (1,502.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts1st, 4th, 5th
Websitecounty.milwaukee.gov

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). 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 (37,221), Oak Creek (36,325), and Franklin (35,811). The county is home to two major-league professional sports teams, the Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers, and the world's largest music festival, Summerfest.

History

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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

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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

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Climate

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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
 
 
11
3
 
 
111
 
 
11
3
 
 
138
 
 
15
9
 
 
100
 
 
22
16
 
 
95
 
 
24
14
 
 
67
 
 
19
14
 
 
92
 
 
14
8
 
 
64
 
 
8
2
 
 
78
 
 
2
−3
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [9]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
3.8
 
 
25
21
 
 
4
 
 
21
12
 
 
2.7
 
 
39
23
 
 
6.5
 
 
52
37
 
 
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52
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3.9
 
 
72
61
 
 
3.7
 
 
75
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2.6
 
 
66
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3.6
 
 
57
46
 
 
2.5
 
 
46
36
 
 
3.1
 
 
36
27
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
185031,077—
186062,518101.2%
187089,93043.8%
1880138,53754.0%
1890236,10170.4%
1900330,01739.8%
1910433,18731.3%
1920539,44924.5%
1930725,26334.4%
1940766,8855.7%
1950871,04713.6%
19601,036,04118.9%
19701,054,0631.7%
1980964,988−8.5%
1990959,275−0.6%
2000940,164−2.0%
2010947,7350.8%
2020939,489−0.9%
2023 (est.)916,205[10]−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13]
1990–2000[14] 2010–2020[2] 2020 census[15]
 
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[16] Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 583,481 514,958 456,520 62.06% 54.34% 48.59%
Black or African American alone (NH) 228,471 248,794 240,416 24.30% 26.25% 25.59%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 5,735 5,212 3,878 0.61% 0.55% 0.41%
Asian alone (NH) 23,879 32,007 45,989 2.54% 3.38% 4.90%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 324 296 262 0.03% 0.03% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 1,259 1,139 4,227 0.13% 0.12% 0.45%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 14,609 19,290 35,180 1.55% 2.04% 3.74%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 82,406 126,039 153,017 8.77% 13.30% 16.29%
Total 940,164 947,735 939,489 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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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 (including Hispanics in the racial counts) 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

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As of the 2010 census,[19] 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

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As of the 2000 census,[19] 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.[20]

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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.[21] 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.[22]

Religious statistics

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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.[23] In 2014, Milwaukee County had 483 religious organizations, the 48th most out of all 3,141 US counties.[24]

Government

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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 Liz Sumner 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
District Attorney John T. Chisolm Democratic

Politics

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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[25][26]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 138,022 29.74% 316,292 68.15% 9,793 2.11%
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.[27][28]

Transportation

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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

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Railroads

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Buses

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Major highways

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Communities

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Interactive map of municipalities in Milwaukee County.
 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city

Cities

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Villages

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Former towns/neighborhoods

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Education

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School districts include:[29]

K-12:

Secondary:

Elementary:

Charter schools:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census: Milwaukee County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  5. ^ Watrous, Jerome A. (ed.). Memoirs of Milwaukee County from the Earliest Historical Times Down to the Present. Madison, Wis.: Western Historical Association, 1909. Vol. 1; Vol. 2, pp. 28-37.
  6. ^ Watrous, Jerome A. (ed.). Memoirs of Milwaukee County from the Earliest Historical Times Down to the Present. Madison, Wis.: Western Historical Association, 1909. Vol. 1; Vol. 2, pp. 45-46.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  8. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Milwaukee, a S. E. county of Wisconsin" . The American Cyclopædia.
  9. ^ "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  13. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; United States". Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  16. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Milwaukee County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Milwaukee County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Milwaukee County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  20. ^ "Housing Patterns - Cover Page, Publication Information, and Table of Contents". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  21. ^ "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  22. ^ Reported Induced Abortions in Wisconsin, Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Section: Trend Information, 2013-2017, Table 18, pages 17-18
  23. ^ "County Membership Report Milwaukee County (Wisconsin)". The Association of Religion Data Archives. 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  24. ^ "Social Capital Variables Spreadsheet for 2014". PennState College of Agricultural Sciences, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development. December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  25. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  26. ^ https://county.milwaukee.gov/files/county/county-clerk/Election-Commission/ElectionResultsCopy-1/2024/11-5-24-General-Election--Summary--Unofficial-Results.pdf
  27. ^ Dirr, Alison. "Milwaukee County executive signs resolution declaring racism a public health crisis". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  28. ^ Goist, Robin (June 28, 2020). "What happens after declaring racism a public health crisis? A Wisconsin county offers a clue". Cleveland.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  29. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Milwaukee County, WI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
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43°00′00″N 87°58′02″W / 43.00°N 87.96713°W / 43.00; -87.96713

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