Milwaukee Facts
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.
Midwest 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 Eisner - America's Museum of Advertising & Design
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
Doug Neilson, 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.milwaukee.org/
Washington DC Office
Kelly Langenecker, Convention Sales Manager, 207 R Street NW #1, Washington, DC 20001; Ph. 202-265-1656, 202-265-1654, klangenecker@milwaukee.org
Laurie Nelson-Choice, Managing Director and Director of Multicultural Development 145 S Street, NW Washington, DC 20001; Ph. 202/588-0946 Fax 202/588-9889; lchoice@milwaukee.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.
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