Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

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Milwaukee County
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Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County
County
	Milwaukee County Courthouse
	Flag Seal
	Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
	Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 43°00′00″N 87°58′02″W / 43°N 87.9671°W
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
Founded	1835
Named for	Milwaukee River
Seat	Milwaukee
Largest city	Milwaukee
Government
• Executive	David Crowley
Area
• Total	1,189 sq mi (3,080 km2)
• Land	241 sq mi (620 km2)
• Water	948 sq mi (2,460 km2) 80%
Population (2020)
• Total	939,489
• Density	3,890.5/sq mi (1,502.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts	1st, 4th, 5th
Website	county.milwaukee.gov

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. 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 (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

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

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.	%±
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]

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
District Attorney	John T. Chisolm	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
Year	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

Buses

Major highways

Communities

Interactive map of municipalities in Milwaukee County.

Cities

Cudahy
Franklin
Glendale
Greenfield
Milwaukee (county seat) - partly in Waukesha and Washington Counties
Oak Creek
South Milwaukee
St. Francis
Wauwatosa
West Allis

Villages

Former towns/neighborhoods

Education

School districts include:^[24]

K-12:

Secondary:

Nicolet Union High School District

Elementary:

Charter schools:

Hmong American Peace Academy

References

^ ^a ^b "2020 Decennial Census: Milwaukee County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ "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.
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Milwaukee, a S. E. county of Wisconsin" . The American Cyclopædia.
^ "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
^ "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.
^ 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
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
^ "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.
^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; United States". Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
^ "Housing Patterns - Cover Page, Publication Information, and Table of Contents". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
^ "County Membership Report Milwaukee County (Wisconsin)". The Association of Religion Data Archives. 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
^ "Social Capital Variables Spreadsheet for 2014". PennState College of Agricultural Sciences, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development. December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
^ Dirr, Alison. "Milwaukee County executive signs resolution declaring racism a public health crisis". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
^ 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.
^ "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