Population and Size

Milwaukee has a population of 602,782, and an area covering nearly 96 square miles.  It's the 22nd-largest city in the country. The four-county metropolitan area (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties) has a population of 1.6 million.

Cultural Diversity

The 2000 U.S. Census revealed a rich blend of ethnic groups, comprised of 50% Caucasian, 37% African-American, 12% Hispanic and 3% Asian.

Location

Milwaukee is located in the southeast corner of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan's western shore.  This prime location in the heart of the Midwest offers benefits for those who live, work and visit here.  Global shipping lanes are readily accessible via the Great Lakes and Mississippi River.

Climate

Milwaukee has four distinct seasons.  Lake Michigan influences the climate considerably, cooling the city in the warm months and moderating cold temperatures in the winter.  Average seasonal temperatures are: Spring (March to May) - 52.5; Summer (June to August) - 77.7; Fall (September to November) - 58.6; Winter (December to February) - 29.4.  Precipitation averages around 33 inches per year.

Economy

Milwaukee's broad-based employment sector, with a work force approximately 847,500 strong, brings resiliency to the local economy. A diverse group of large, productive companies provides the basis for economic growth.  Manufacturing and service industries continue to be vital to the area's stability.  The Greater Milwaukee's median household income is $47,000. Retail sales total nearly $16.2 billion.  The wholesale business adds receipts of $27 billion.

Tourism

In 2007, Milwaukee's tourism industry employed about 64,000 full-time equivalent residents and created close to $1.5 billion in wages.  In Greater Milwaukee, $2.57 billion in economic impact is attributed to the travel and tourism industry.  During 2007, traveler expenditures in the Greater Milwaukee Area (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties) contributed over $410 million in local and state taxes.

Transportation

Milwaukee is conveniently located near the intersection of Interstates 94 and 43.  The Milwaukee County Transit System provides courteous and prompt public transportation throughout the city. Milwaukee has several taxi and limousine services available as well. Milwaukee is a regular stop for Amtrak and Greyhound.

General Mitchell International Airport Serves

Mitchell's 13 airlines offer roughly 235 daily departures and arrivals.  Approximately 90 cities are served nonstop or direct from Mitchell International, Wisconsin's largest airport.  Midwest Airlines is the hometown airline service

Lake Express

The Lake Express High Speed Ferry is a modern, affordable, high-speed ferry that transports cars and passengers across Lake Michigan in just 2.5 hours! The Lake Express travels between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Mich. from April to Oct. For more information, contact 1-800-554-1448.

Frontier Airlines Center

Milwaukee's state-of-the-art convention facility features 667,475 square feet of total space. It includes a 37,506 square-foot ballroom, 28 first floor and mezzanine- level meeting rooms, and a 188,695 gross-square-foot (gsf) exhibit hall. 

The Center is located approximately 10 miles from Mitchell International Airport.

Number of Downtown Hotels Rooms Within Walking Distance of Midwest Airlines Center

103      Best Western Inn Towne Hotel 

169      Courtyard by Marriot Milwaukee Downtown

142      Hampton Inn & Suites

730      Hilton Milwaukee City Center   

247      Holiday Inn Milwaukee City Centre

484      Hyatt Regency Milwaukee

220      InterContinental Milwaukee 

155      Ramada City Centre

131      Residence Inn by Marriott- Downtown Milwaukee

2,381   Total Rooms

Addl. Downtown Hotel Rooms Within One Mile of Midwest Airlines Center

113      Ambassador Hotel

98        Astor

159      Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Lakeshore

30        County Clare Guesthouse & Pub

40        Ambassador Inn

64        Hotel Metro

87        Knickerbocker on the Lake

307      The Pfister Hotel

80        Plaza Hotel

977      Total Rooms

Total Number of Downtown Hotel Rooms

3,358

Total Number of Greater Milwaukee Area Hotel Rooms

13,724 (includes all expansions and projects planned for construction)

Room Tax:      Sales Tax:

9 percent         5.6 percent

Major Attractions

  • Basilica of St. Josaphat
  • Betty Brinn Children's Museum
  • Boerner Botanical Gardens
  • Captain Fredrick Pabst Mansion
  • Discovery World
  • Harley-Davidson Museum
  • Henry Maier Festival Park
  • MillerCoors Brewing Company
  • Miller Park
  • Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
  • Milwaukee Art Museum    
  • Milwaukee County Zoo
  • Milwaukee Mile (speedway)
  • Milwaukee Public Market
  • Milwaukee Public Museum
  • Milwaukee Theatre
  • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory "The Domes"
  • More than a dozen ethnic & cultural festivals
  • Pettit National Ice Center
  • Potawatomi Bingo Casino
  • RiverWalk
  • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
  • Summerfest
  • Two Theatre Districts
  • Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
  • The Neighborhoods: Historic Third Ward, Old World Third Street, Brady Street, Martin Luther King   Drive
  • Wisconsin State Fair Park
  • Professional Sports Teams:Milwaukee Bucks (Basketball) Milwaukee Wave (Indoor Soccer)
  • Milwaukee Brewers (Baseball) Milwaukee Admirals (Hockey)

Interesting Facts

Long before the first settlers came to this area, the Algonkian Indians had a special name for the land: Millioki, which means "gathering place by the waters."  The Indians may have picked the name because they used the area for tribal gatherings or because they observed how three rivers (the Menomonee, the Kinnickinnic and the Milwaukee) met before flowing into the waters of Lake Mie-sit-gan (Michigan).

Milwaukee is home to Summerfest, the world's largest music festival according to the Guinness Book of World Records.  This eleven-day event boasts 10 ground stages and a 23,000-seat amphitheater featuring a variety of music, from national headline acts to up-and-comers.

The Allen Bradley Clocktower is one of Milwaukee's most recognizable landmarks.  The Guinness Book of World Records lists the Allen Bradley Clock as the largest four-faced clock in the world.  It is actually four separate clocks.  Each of the octagonal clock faces is nearly twice the size of the clocks on London's Big Ben Tower.  Each hour hand is 15 feet 9 inches long and weighs 490 pounds.  Each minute hand is 20 feet long and weighs 530 pounds.  Hour markings on each face are four feet high.  The clock serves as an official navigation aid and is so designated on the maps of the United States Coast Guard.

 

Visitor Information:                800/554-1448

VISIT Milwaukee Main Office

Paul Upchurch, President/CEO; David Fantle, Vice President of Public Relations; 648 N. Plankinton Avenue, Suite 425/ Milwaukee, WI  53203 Phone: (414) 273-3950 or (800) 231-0903 Fax: (414) 273-5596, http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/

VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally and is dedicated to ensuring our guests are warmly welcomed and enjoy an enriching experience in this jewel of the Great Lakes. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 700 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated close to $2.6 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2007 and supported about 64,000 local jobs. The Spirit of Milwaukee and Potawatomi Bingo Casino are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs.  For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.