Profile: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

By Kristine Hansen, FrontDoor.com | Published: 1/16/2009

Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau

Population: 602,000 (1.7 million metro population)

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a

Major Airports: General Mitchell International Airport

Companies With a Major Presence Here: Harley-Davidson, Manpower, U.S. Bancorp, Northwestern Mutual, Kohl's Department Stores, GE Medical, Miller Brewing Co., Johnson Controls, QuadGraphics and Kohler

Often considered second fiddle to Chicago, which is 80 miles to the south and the nation's third-largest city, Milwaukee is cozier and more affordable than that metropolis -- and its cultural and recreational amenities as top-notch. From downtown, it is possible to reach any area of the city within a half hour thanks to carefully mapped-out freeways and main thoroughfares. Five counties make up the metro area for a total population of 1.7 million (the city of Milwaukee has 602,000 residents). It's the largest city in the state and the 23rd largest nationwide.

Milwaukee is built on working-class roots but also displays a lot of big-city class, evident if you take a stroll through the Historic Third Ward neighborhood, where Soho-style lofts now house restaurants, boutiques, bars and art galleries, or along the Riverwalk. The downtown is clean, friendly and bordered by Lake Michigan on the eastern side and Marquette University on the other if you travel down Wisconsin Avenue. Before leaving office in 2004 to become director of the Congress for New Urbanism, long-time Mayor John Norquist encouraged mixed-use developments downtown. Today there continues to be that harmonious marriage of work and play with thriving condominiums, restaurants, small businesses and offices.

Most Milwaukeeans' definition of escape means heading up to the rugged and wild North Woods where many families own cabins and enjoy exploring the state's many forests and lakes. The Door County peninsula, marked by tiny towns with cafes, antique stores and art galleries, as well as excellent state parks, is shouldered by Green Bay and Lake Michigan and is four hours north of Milwaukee. It's a popular second-home destination or long-weekend getaway during the warmer months. Milwaukee's state parks system is considered among the nation's best and used by not just Wisconsinites, but residents of neighboring states too.

Read More About Milwaukee, WI:

• Search Homes for Sale in Milwaukee
• 5 Great Neighborhoods in Milwaukee
• Milwaukee Essentials
• Local Lingo and Lore in Milwaukee
• Milwaukee: Like No Place Else
• Milwaukee: Brew City's Beer Making Roots
• Slide Show: Get to Know Milwaukee

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