MILWAUKEE FACTS
1
POPULATION & SIZE
According to 2012 U.S. Census estimates:
Population of 596,500 | 30th-largest city in the country | Nearly 96 square miles
Population of four-county metropolitan area (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha) 1.7 million
CULTURAL DIVERSITY
60.6% Caucasian | 26.8% African-American | 13.3% Hispanic | 4% Asian
LOCATION
Milwaukee is located in the southeast corner of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan’s western shore just 90 miles north
of Chicago, Ill. One quarter of the United States population – 71 million people – live within one day’s drive or train
ride of Milwaukee. 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:
100
Avg. °F
33 inches/year
77.7
80
60
Average precipitation:
52.5
58.6
29.4
40
20
0
Spring Summer
Fall
Winter
ECONOMY
Milwaukee’s broad-based employment sector, with a work force approximately 814,100 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 $49,774. Retail sales total nearly $18.9 billion. The wholesale business adds receipts of $40.5
billion.
TOURISM
In 2011, Milwaukee’s tourism industry employed about 30,000 full-time employees and created approximately
$964 million in wages. In Greater Milwaukee, $1.57 billion in economic impact is attributed to the travel and
tourism industry. Also, traveler expenditures in the Greater Milwaukee Area (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington,
and Waukesha counties) contributed over $397 million in taxes to our communities.
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MILWAUKEE FACTS
2
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
Mitchell’s eight airlines offer roughly 300 daily departures and arrivals. Approximately 35 cities are served
nonstop or direct from Mitchell International, Wisconsin’s largest airport.
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.
THE WISCONSIN 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-squarefoot (gsf) exhibit hall. The Center is located approximately 10 miles from the airport.
Number of Downtown Hotels Rooms within Walking Distance of the Wisconsin Center:
Hotel Metro
Hotel of the Arts / Days Inn
Iron Horse Hotel
Best Western Inn Towne Hotel
Residence Inn by Marriott – Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites
Ramada City Centre
Aloft Milwaukee Downtown
Courtyard by Marriot Downtown
InterContinental Milwaukee
Doubletree Hotel
The Pfister Hotel
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
Hilton Milwaukee City Center
TOTAL ROOMS:
63
78
100
103
131
138
155
160
169
221
243
307
481
729
3,078
TOTAL NUMBER
OF DOWNTOWN
HOTEL
ROOMS
3,689
Room Tax
9.5 %
Number of additional hotel rooms within one mile
of the Wisconsin Center:
County Clare Guesthouse and Pub
Ambassador Inn
Plaza Hotel
Knickerbocker on the Lake
Astor Hotel
Ambassador Hotel
Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown
TOTAL ROOMS:
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Sales Tax
29
40
80
84
99
120
159
611
Visit Milwaukee
5.6 %
|
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TOTAL NUMBER
HOTEL
ROOMS
GREATER
MILWAUKEE
16,176
MILWAUKEE FACTS
3
WE’VE GOT IT ALL
Professional Sports
Milwaukee Bucks (Basketball)
Milwaukee Brewers (Baseball)
Milwaukee Wave (Indoor Soccer)
Milwaukee Admirals (Hockey)
Attractions
Milwaukee Art Museum – the “Sexiest Building on the Planet”
Milwaukee Public Museum – houses more than 4.5 million specimens of human and natural history
Harley-Davidson Museum – the world’s only museum dedicated to Harley-Davidson culture and history
Discovery World – home to the world’s largest model of the Great Lakes and the S/V Denis Sullivan, a 137-foot
replica of a 19th century Great Lakes schooner
The Arts
Milwaukee Ballet
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Florentine Opera Company
First Stage Children’s Theater
Skylight Music Theatre
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MILWAUKEE FACTS
4
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 runs along the shore of Lake Michigan, the largest freshwater lake in the United States with a surface
area of more than 22,300 square feet, running 307 miles from north to south and 118 miles from east to west with
an average depth of 279 feet. The deepest point of Lake Michigan is 923 feet.
The 20-story former Milwaukee Gas Light Building’s weather beacon, shaped as a natural gas flame, indicates the
forecast of the weather by its color and flicker. Its neon flame stands 21 feet tall, weighs four tons and costs
$10,000 a month to operate. The following poem describes the meanings of the various colors:
When the flame is red, it’s warm weather ahead
When the flame is gold, watch out for cold
When the flame is blue, there’s no change in view
When there’s a flickering flame, expect snow or rain
Milwaukee is known as “Cream City” because of the cream colored brick on historic buildings. It’s unique color
was only made from the conditions in Milwaukee and although it is no longer made, it is still in high demand and
often recycled.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visitor Information:
(800) 554-1448
VISIT Milwaukee Main Office
Paul Upchurch, CEO and President
Wendy Strong, Director of Public Relations
Megan Gaus, Senior Director of Communications
648 N. Plankinton Avenue, Suite 425
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: (414) 273-3950 or (800) 231-0903
Fax: (414) 273-5596
www.visitmilwaukee.org
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, and convention and meeting planners, both nationally
and internationally. VISIT Milwaukee has approximately 600 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants,
attractions, services and area businesses. Total business sales related to tourism amounted to $4.25 billion in
Greater Milwaukee in 2012 and supported more than 48,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Potawatomi Bingo
Casino and the Wisconsin Center District 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.
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Oct. 13
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