Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Milwaukee County is located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 947,735 and was estimated to be 945,726 in 2019.[1] 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,[2] 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.[3]

Milwaukee County
U.S. 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
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1835
Named forMilwaukee River
SeatMilwaukee
Largest cityMilwaukee
Area
 • Total1,189 sq mi (3,080 km2)
 • Land241 sq mi (620 km2)
 • Water948 sq mi (2,460 km2)  80%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total947,735
 • Estimate 
(2019)
945,726
 • Density800/sq mi (310/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts1st, 4th, 5th, 6th
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).

There are 19 cities in Milwaukee County; after the city of Milwaukee, the most populous (in descending order) are West Allis, Wauwatosa, Greenfield, Franklin and Oak Creek. The county is home to two major-league professional sports teams, and the world's largest music festival.

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.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

The city at the center is Milwaukee. Above Milwaukee in the photo, which was taken at 11:23:40 PM CDT in 2012 during Expedition 30 at the International Space Station, is Waukesha, the county seat of Waukesha County. The line of lights connecting the two cities comes from vehicles and development on and along Bluemound Road and I-94. Due to the angle of the photo, north points rightwards, and west upwards. To the left of Milwaukee along the lakeshore are the larger cities of Racine, Kenosha, and Waukegan. Racine is the county seat of Racine County, and Kenosha is the county seat of Kenosha county. Waukegan. is the county seat of Lake County, Illinois. The lights in the far left along the lake are from a portion of Cook County, of which Chicago is the county seat. To the right of Milwaukee are Cedarburg and Grafton, in Ozaukee County. The seat of Ozaukee County, Port Washington, is just to the right of Grafton and along the lakeshore. Above Port Washington, the "+" shaped lights are from West Bend, the county seat of Washington County. In the far right edge, a small portion of Sheboygan can be seen along the lakeshore. Sheboygan is the county seat of Sheboygan County.

Adjacent counties

Climate
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: [8]

Demographics

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.[9] 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.[10]

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
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%
2019 (est.)945,726[11]−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14]
1990–2000[15] 2010–2019[1]
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Milwaukee County

2010 census

As of the 2010 census,[16] 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 (1,528/km2). There were 418,053 housing units at an average density of 1,734 per square mile (674/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,[16] 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 (1,503/km2). There were 400,093 housing units at an average density of 1,656 per square mile (640/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.[17]

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.[18] In 2014, Milwaukee County had 483 religious organizations, the 48th most out of all 3,141 US counties.[19]

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.

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.

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 29.2% 134,482 69.0% 317,527 1.6% 7,714
2016 28.6% 126,069 65.5% 288,822 5.9% 26,162
2012 31.5% 154,924 67.5% 332,438 1.1% 5,214
2008 31.5% 149,445 67.3% 319,819 1.3% 5,928
2004 37.4% 180,287 61.7% 297,653 0.9% 4,296
2000 37.7% 163,491 58.2% 252,329 4.1% 17,717
1996 32.2% 119,407 58.3% 216,620 9.5% 35,353
1992 32.5% 151,314 50.6% 235,521 16.9% 78,661
1988 38.3% 168,363 61.0% 268,287 0.7% 2,895
1984 42.9% 196,290 56.6% 259,144 0.6% 2,583
1980 39.5% 183,450 51.8% 240,174 8.7% 40,384
1976 42.1% 192,008 54.8% 249,739 3.2% 14,413
1972 46.1% 191,874 50.6% 210,802 3.4% 14,001
1968 39.8% 160,022 51.3% 206,027 8.9% 35,887
1964 34.1% 149,962 65.7% 288,577 0.2% 920
1960 42.0% 187,067 57.8% 257,707 0.2% 1,033
1956 55.8% 227,253 43.5% 177,286 0.7% 2,779
1952 51.5% 219,477 48.0% 204,474 0.5% 2,055
1948 40.4% 138,672 54.7% 187,637 4.8% 16,601
1944 40.2% 142,448 57.9% 205,282 2.0% 7,100
1940 37.3% 131,120 59.8% 209,861 2.9% 10,216
1936 18.5% 54,811 74.6% 221,512 7.0% 20,635
1932 21.1% 54,693 65.6% 170,202 13.3% 34,493
1928 39.8% 82,025 53.7% 110,668 6.6% 13,544
1924 34.3% 50,730 9.8% 14,510 55.9% 82,789
1920 51.6% 73,410 17.9% 25,464 30.5% 43,437
1916 34.8% 27,831 43.5% 34,812 21.7% 17,368
1912 25.1% 17,877 38.8% 27,628 36.2% 25,797
1908 39.0% 28,625 35.4% 26,000 25.6% 18,831
1904 46.2% 32,587 26.3% 18,560 27.5% 19,365
1900 52.5% 34,790 38.6% 25,596 8.8% 5,857
1896 55.9% 35,939 41.2% 26,536 2.9% 1,869
1892 48.2% 24,602 48.2% 24,607 3.5% 1,799

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.[21][22]

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

Major highways

Communities
Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city

Cities

Villages

Former towns/neighborhoods

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  4. 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.
  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. 45-46.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  7. Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Milwaukee, a S. E. county of Wisconsin" . The American Cyclopædia.
  8. "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  9. "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  10. 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
  11. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  12. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  14. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  17. "Housing Patterns - Cover Page, Publication Information, and Table of Contents". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  18. "County Membership Report Milwaukee County (Wisconsin)". The Association of Religion Data Archives. 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  19. "Social Capital Variables Spreadsheet for 2014". PennState College of Agricultural Sciences, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development. December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  21. Dirr, Alison. "Milwaukee County executive signs resolution declaring racism a public health crisis". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  22. Goist, Robin (2020-06-28). "What happens after declaring racism a public health crisis? A Wisconsin county offers a clue". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 2020-06-28.

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