Milwaukee

by The Linguist

 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin with a population of 590,157 as of 2020 according to Wikipedia. Nicknamed “The City of Festivals”, Milwaukee is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan and is known for its brewing traditions and ethnic festivals.

History

Milwaukee was first settled by Native Americans in the 17th century. French missionaries and traders later passed through the area in the late 17th and 18th centuries. In 1818, the first permanent settlement was established by Solomon Juneau. By the mid-1800s, Milwaukee had grown into a hub for shipping, rail, and industry due to its location on Lake Michigan and proximity to Chicago. Beer brewing emerged as a major industry, led by brewers such as Schlitz, Blatz, and Pabst. Milwaukee was incorporated as a city in 1846.

Learn more about Milwaukee’s history at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Milwaukee History website.

Population and Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the racial makeup of Milwaukee is:

  • White: 45.8%
  • Black or African American: 39.3%
  • Asian: 3.5%
  • Two or more races: 3.1%
  • Other race: 5.7%

Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.3% of the population. The median age was 32.4 years old. 24.1% of the population was under age 18 and 11.7% was age 65 or older.

Economy

Major industries in Milwaukee include manufacturing, finance, insurance, retail, healthcare, food services, and education. According to the Milwaukee 7 Economic Development Partnership, major employers in Milwaukee include:

  • Advocate Aurora Health – 26,000+ employees
  • Medical College of Wisconsin – 12,000+ employees
  • Rogers Behavioral Health – 1,700+ employees 6737 W. Washington St, West Allis, WI 53214 (800) 767-4411
  • Northwestern Mutual – 5,000+ employees
  • Actuant Corporation – 1,500+ employees N86 W12500 Westbrook Crossing, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 (262) 293-1500

Learn more about Milwaukee’s economy and workforce at the Employ Milwaukee website.

Attractions

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Milwaukee include:

  • Milwaukee Art Museum – An architectural landmark featuring two iconic buildings designed by Eero Saarinen and Santiago Calatrava. The museum houses over 30,000 works of art. 700 N Art Museum Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202 (414) 224-3200
  • Harley-Davidson Museum – A museum dedicated to showcasing the history and culture of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. 400 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI 53201 (877) 436-8738
  • Milwaukee Public Museum – A natural history museum with exhibits on regional ecology, ethnology, and history. 800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233 (414) 278-2648

See a full list of attractions at Visit Milwaukee.

Sports

Milwaukee is home to several professional sports teams and venues:

  • Milwaukee Brewers – The city’s Major League Baseball team plays at American Family Field located at 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53214. Website: Milwaukee Brewers
  • Milwaukee Bucks – The city’s National Basketball Association team plays at Fiserv Forum located at 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203. Website: Milwaukee Bucks
  • Milwaukee Admirals – The city’s minor league hockey team plays at Panther Arena located at 400 W Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203. Website: Milwaukee Admirals

Transportation

Public transportation in Milwaukee is provided by the Milwaukee County Transit System. The agency operates over 150 bus routes across the city. Learn more at RideMCTS.com.

Education

Public education in Milwaukee is provided by Milwaukee Public Schools, the largest school district in Wisconsin. There are also a number of private and charter schools. Higher education institutions located in the city include:

County and Local Government

Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee County. The county government website can be found at MilwaukeeCounty.gov and is located at:

Milwaukee County
901 N 9th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 278-4000

The city of Milwaukee government website can be found at Milwaukee.gov and is located at:

City of Milwaukee
200 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 286-CITY

Interactive Map

Landmarks

Here are the GPS coordinates for 3 landmarks in Milwaukee:

  • Milwaukee Art Museum – 43.0389329, -87.9064824
  • Miller Park – 43.0283836, -87.9709978
  • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory – 43.0137014, -87.9527502

Additional Resources

Learn more about Milwaukee on these additional websites: