Kenosha

by The Linguist

Kenosha is a city located in southeastern Wisconsin along the shore of Lake Michigan. As of the 2020 census, Kenosha had a population of 99,485 residents, making it the fourth largest city in Wisconsin.

Population and Demographics

Kenosha has seen steady population growth over the past few decades. Since the 2000 census, the city’s population has grown by over 10,000 residents. Much of this growth can be attributed to the city’s close proximity to Chicago and appealing amenities.

In terms of demographics, Kenosha is predominantly white, with around 69% of residents identifying as such according to 2020 census data. The next largest racial groups are Hispanic/Latino at 17% and Black/African American at 11%. Over 18% of Kenosha residents are foreign born.

The median age in Kenosha is 33.5 years old. About 22% of the population is under 18 years old, while 13% are over 65 years old. There are slightly more women than men, with men making up around 49% of the population.

Major Employers and Local Economy

Kenosha has a diverse economic base, with major industries including manufacturing, healthcare, retail and tourism. Some of the largest employers in Kenosha include:

Other major employers include schools, county government, and various manufacturing and food production plants. The recent addition of the Amazon fulfillment center has been a boon for employment and economic growth.

In terms of household income, the median household income in Kenosha is $59,576 as of 2020. Around 12% of residents live below the poverty line.

Attractions and Tourism

Kenosha has grown into a popular tourist destination, especially for visitors from nearby Chicago and Milwaukee. Some highlights include:

Kenosha’s location along Lake Michigan provides plenty of opportunities for water activities like boating, fishing, swimming and sunbathing. The downtown harbor area has shops, restaurants and seasonal events like the popular Ice Sculpture Festival.

Sports Teams and Recreation

For sports fans, Kenosha is home to the Kenosha Kingfish, a college summer baseball team playing at historic Simmons Field. The Kingfish are part of the Northwoods League and play from May to August.

Kenosha also has a women’s roller derby team called the Kenosha Roller Girls that competes regionally. For youth sports, the city has several top-notch facilities including the Kenosha Youth Sports Complex.

There are many parks and facilities for recreation in Kenosha. Popular outdoor activities include golfing at one of the city’s courses, hiking and biking along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and boating or fishing on Lake Michigan.

Education

Kenosha residents are served by the Kenosha Unified School District. The district has nearly 23,000 enrolled students across twenty elementary schools, five middle schools, seven high schools and five charter schools.

Higher education options include the University of Wisconsin-Parkside located just south of the city in Somers. Carthage College is a private liberal arts college also located just outside Kenosha in the village of Kenosha.

City Government and Civic Information

Kenosha has a mayor-council system of government. The current mayor is John Antaramian, who took office in 2016. The city council consists of 17 alderpersons representing Kenosha’s districts.

Some helpful city government resources include:

Kenosha residents elect representatives to the city council and mayor every four years in the spring. Keeping up with local politics and civic issues is a great way to get involved in the community.

Living in Kenosha

With its great location, affordable cost of living, diverse economy and abundance of amenities, Kenosha is emerging as a popular place to live, work and visit in southeastern Wisconsin. The city offers high quality schools, health care and public services along with a vibrant downtown district and plenty of things to do. From raising a family to enjoying retirement, Kenosha has a lot to offer residents.