Milwaukee
Milwaukee (/mɪlˈwɔːki/ mil-WAW-kee)[15] is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County.[16] With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is the 31st-most populous city in the United States,[17][18] and the fifth-most populous city in the Midwest.[19] It is the central city of the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the 40th-most populous metro area in the U.S.[20] Milwaukee is categorized as a "Gamma minus" city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network,[21] with a regional GDP of over $102 billion in 2020.[22]
This article is about the city within Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. For the county itself, see Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. For other uses, see Milwaukee (disambiguation).
Milwaukee
United States
January 31, 1846
Potawatomi for "gathering place by the water"
96.81 sq mi (250.75 km2)
96.18 sq mi (249.12 km2)
0.63 sq mi (1.63 km2)
617 ft (188 m)
577,222
563,305
6,001.48/sq mi (2,317.04/km2)
1,306,795 (US: 38th)
2,818.3/sq mi (1,088.2/km2)
1,574,731 (US: 40th)
2,049,805 (US: 33rd)
Milwaukeean
$120.563 billion (2022)
55-53000[13]
1577901[14]
Milwaukee is an ethnically and culturally diverse city.[23] However, it continues to be one of the most racially segregated cities, largely as a result of early-20th-century redlining.[24] Its history was heavily influenced by German immigrants in the 19th century, and it continues to be a center for German-American culture,[25] specifically becoming well known for its brewing industry. In recent years, Milwaukee has undergone several development projects, some of which have added to the city's skyline.[26] Major additions to the city since the turn of the 21st century include the Wisconsin Center, American Family Field, The Hop streetcar system, an expansion to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, the Bradley Symphony Center,[27] and Discovery World, as well as major renovations to the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena. Fiserv Forum opened in late 2018, and hosts sporting events and concerts.
Since 1968, Milwaukee has been home to Summerfest, a large music festival.[28] Milwaukee is home to the Medical College of Wisconsin, UW-Milwaukee, Marquette University, MSOE, and several other colleges. The city is represented in two of the four major professional sports leagues − the Bucks of the NBA and the Brewers of the MLB. Milwaukee is home to the Fortune 500 companies of Northwestern Mutual, Fiserv, WEC Energy Group, Rockwell Automation, and Harley-Davidson.[29]
Economy[edit]
Early economy[edit]
Milwaukee was situated as a port city and a center for collecting and distributing produce. Some of the new immigrants who were settling into the new state of Wisconsin during the middle of the 19th century were wheat farmers. By 1860, Wisconsin was one of the major producers of wheat. Rail transport was needed to transport this grain from the wheat fields of Wisconsin to Milwaukee's harbor. Improvements in railways at the time made this possible.
There was intense competition for markets with Chicago, situated across the state line in Illinois, and, to a lesser degree, with Racine and Kenosha in Wisconsin. Eventually Chicago won out due to its superior financial markets and transportation position, including the Chicago Portage and being the hub of the railroad lines in the United States. Milwaukee did solidify its place as the commercial capital of Wisconsin and an important market in the Midwest.[115]
Infrastructure[edit]
Health care[edit]
Milwaukee's health care industry includes several health systems. The Milwaukee Regional Medical Complex, between 8700 and 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, is on the Milwaukee County grounds. This area includes the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, the Ronald McDonald House, Curative Rehabilitation, and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Aurora Health Care includes St. Luke's Medical Center, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Aurora West Allis Medical Center, and St. Luke's SouthShore. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare includes St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, Elmbrook Memorial (Brookfield), and other outpatient clinics in the Milwaukee area. Columbia St. Mary's Hospital is on Milwaukee's lakeshore and has established affiliations with Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin. The Medical College of Wisconsin is one of two medical schools in Wisconsin and the only one in Milwaukee.
Other health care non-profit organizations in Milwaukee include national headquarters of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and the Endometriosis Association.
