GREATER MILWAUKEE FACT SHEET
Population and Size:Milwaukee has a population of approximately 600,000, and an area covering nearly 96 square miles, making it the 19th 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. LocationMilwaukee 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. ClimateMilwaukee 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. EconomyMilwaukee’s broad-based employment sector, with a work force nearly 847,300 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. Milwaukee produces $24.1 billion in industrial goods annually and boasts a per-capita output of almost $14,000, making it a top area in terms of manufacturing output per capita. Retail sales total nearly $11.5 billion. The wholesale business adds receipts of $20 billion. TourismIn 2004, Milwaukee’s tourism industry employed more than 61,000 full-time equivalent residents who took home more than $1.4 billion in income! The majority of visitor expenditures in the Greater Milwaukee Area were divided between shopping, which accounted for approximately one-third ($763 million or 32 percent) of all traveler expenditures; and food ($603 million or 25 percent) and recreation ($604 million or 25 percent), which each accounted for approximately one-fourth of expenses. The remaining traveler expenditures in the Greater Milwaukee Area went toward lodging ($282 million or 12 percent) and transportation ($153 million or 6 percent). TransportationMilwaukee 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. Mitchell International Airport Serves: Mitchell’s 16 airlines offer roughly 220 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 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 May 1 to Dec. 31. 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 Four Blocks of Midwest Airlines Center: 169 Courtyard by Marriot 730 Hilton Milwaukee City Center 244 Holiday Inn Milwaukee - City Centre 175 Hotel Wisconsin 142 Howard Johnson Inn & Suites 484 Hyatt Regency Milwaukee 96 Best Western Inn Towne Hotel 155 Ramada Inn – Downtown 131 Residence Inn by Marriott 2,547 Total Rooms
189 Ambassador Hotel 97 The Astor 31 County Clare Bed & Breakfast 40 Executive Inn 65 Hotel Metro 100 The Knickerbocker 159 Park East Hotel 307 The Pfister Hotel 80 Plaza Hotel and Apartments 1,068 Total Rooms
Total Number of Downtown Hotel Rooms: 3,615 Total Number of Greater Milwaukee Area Hotel Rooms: 12,415
Room Tax: Sales Tax: 9 percent 5.6 percent Major Attractions: America’s Black Holocaust Museum Professional Sports Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (Basketball)
Interesting FactsLong before the first settlers came to this area, the Potawatomi 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 12 stages 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; Mary Denis, Vice President of Marketing; Jack Moneypenny, Vice President of Sales; David Fantle, Director of Public Relations; 648 N. Plankinton Avenue, Suite 425/ Milwaukee, WI 53203 Phone: (414) 273-3950 or (800) 231-0903 Fax: (414) 273-5596, www.visitmilwaukee.org Washington DC Office: 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 Jessica Brown National Sales Manager Established in 1967, VISIT Milwaukee (VM) is the premier marketer of Greater Milwaukee. VISIT Milwaukee reaches tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally with sales, marketing and public relations programs. Tourism generated $2.5 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2002, which is 21 percent of the state's total tourism impact. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 650 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Its main office is at 648 N. Plankinton Avenue, Suite 425, Milwaukee. It also has a sales team in Washington D.C. The Spirit of Milwaukee (SOM) and Potawatomi Bingo Casino are strategic partners with the VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for tourism programs that create economic impact for Greater Milwaukee. For more information call 1-800-231-0903 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org. Updated 2/05 |
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