54-687: Wauwatosa ( / ˌ w ɔː w ə ˈ t oʊ s ə / WAW -wə- TOH -sə ; coloquially Tosa ) is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin , United States. The population was 48,387 at the 2020 census . Wauwatosa is a suburb located immediately west of Milwaukee and is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area . It is named after the Potawatomi Chief Wauwataesie and the Potawatomi word for firefly . The lush Menomonee Valley of
108-401: A 15-year-old Hispanic male named Xavier Sevilla who allegedly committed the shooting due to a previous altercation with a group at the mall. Sevilla was arrested during a traffic stop in Milwaukee , during which the believed weapon he used was also recovered in the car. Two more arrests in connection with the shooting were announced; a person believed to have been involved and the passenger of
162-460: A 15-year-old boy. On February 2, 2020, a fatal shooting had occurred at Mayfair Mall . In that shooting, Alvin Cole, a 17-year-old African-American male, was killed in an incident with police officers. Cole fired a bullet from a gun before being fatally shot five times by black police officer Joseph Mensah. Mensah was suspended and eventually resigned after an independent investigation found that he
216-468: A Democrat, was initially appointed by a Republican governor, stated that he considered himself nonpartisan, and espoused politically conservative positions. Former County Executive Scott Walker was a Republican member of the Wisconsin State Assembly before being elected county executive in a 2002 special election and elected to full terms in 2004 and 2008, though the office of county executive
270-516: A four-year term. The Common Council is composed of 16 aldermen , two from each of eight districts. They serve four-year terms, with one member from each district up for election every other year. The aldermen set policy and have extensive financial control, but are not engaged in daily operational management. Wauwatosa is mostly in the 4th house district for the United States House of Representatives, with small parts of northern Wauwatosa in
324-983: A rate of 11.1 abortions per 1000 women aged 15–44, which is above the Wisconsin average rate of 5.2. In 2010 statistics, the largest religious group in Milwaukee County was the Archdiocese of Milwaukee , with 199,153 Catholics worshipping at 80 parishes, followed by 32,340 non-denominational adherents with 126 congregations, 28,274 Missouri Synod Lutherans with 44 congregations, 23,043 ELCA Lutherans with 50 congregations, 20,416 Wisconsin Synod Lutherans with 45 congregations, 18,127 NBC Baptists with 27 congregations, 12,191 CoGiC Pentecostals with 28 congregations, 12,121 SBC Baptists with 32 congregations, 10,960 AoG Pentecostals with 20 congregations, and an estimated 9,156 Muslims with 8 congregations. Altogether, 46.4% of
378-602: A residential neighborhood designed in 1916 by renowned city planner Werner Hegemann , was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, as was the Kneeland-Walker House . The Milwaukee County School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy Historic District , located on a former high school campus, was added in 1998. Other buildings on the list include Wauwatosa's oldest house, the Lowell Damon House ;
432-455: A shooting occurred at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin , United States. Eight people were injured but survived. The shooter fled the scene afterwards and was later arrested during a traffic stop. Police said the shooting was not a random act and had been sparked by an earlier altercation between two groups. Two days later, several people were arrested in connection with the shooting, including
486-626: Is also known for its homes and residential streets, at one time just a short streetcar ride away from downtown Milwaukee. Prior to the arrival of Dutch elm disease , many of Wauwatosa's older residential streets had large gothic colonnades of American Elm trees. In Wauwatosa, the Menomonee Valley made it easier to quarry portions of the Niagara Escarpment , which provided the necessary materials for cream-colored bricks and limestone foundations used in many homes and public buildings throughout
540-657: Is also the most populous city in the state. It was named after the Milwaukee River . The county was created in 1834 as part of Michigan Territory and organized the following year. Milwaukee County is the most populous county of the Milwaukee- Waukesha - West Allis , WI Metropolitan Statistical Area , as well as of the Milwaukee- Racine -Waukesha, WI Combined Statistical Area (See Milwaukee metropolitan area ). Uniquely among Wisconsin counties, Milwaukee County
594-481: Is completely incorporated (i.e.: no part of the county has the Town form of local government - see Administrative divisions of Wisconsin ). There are 19 municipalities in Milwaukee County, 10 incorporated as cities and 9 incorporated as villages. After the city of Milwaukee, the most populous in 2019 were West Allis (59,890), Wauwatosa (48,118), Greenfield (37,221), Oak Creek (36,325), and Franklin (35,811). The county
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#1732851212795648-521: Is home to two major-league professional sports teams, the Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers , and the world's largest music festival, Summerfest . Portions of what is now Milwaukee County are known to have been inhabited by a number of Native American tribes, including the Sauk , Meskwaki or "Fox", Menomonee , Ojibwe and Potawotami , with elements of other tribes attested as well. In 1818, when
702-455: Is nonpartisan. Former Governor Tommy Thompson , a Republican, won Milwaukee County in his 1994 and 1998 reelection campaigns—to date, the last time a statewide Republican candidate won the county. In May 2019, the Milwaukee County executive became the first local government in the US to issue a declaration stating that racism constitutes a public health emergency . Bus service in Milwaukee County
756-491: Is provided by the Milwaukee County Transit System , which operates almost 370 buses. The city of Milwaukee also operates The Hop tram system in the downtown area. School districts include: K-12: Secondary: Elementary: Charter schools : 43°00′00″N 87°58′02″W / 43.00°N 87.96713°W / 43.00; -87.96713 Mayfair Mall shooting On November 20, 2020,
810-518: The 2000 census , there were 940,164 people, 377,729 households and 225,126 families resided in the county. The population density was 3,931 people per square mile (1,518 people/km ). There were 400,093 housing units at an average density of 1,656 units per square mile (639 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 65.6% White , 24.6% Black or African American , 0.7% Native American , 2.6% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 4.2% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races. 8.8% of
864-479: The 5th Wisconsin congressional district . Wauwatosa voters have supported Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian candidates. Wauwatosa is served by MCTS Routes 21, 22, 28, 31, 33, 66, 76 and 92. It is also served by Waukesha Metro route 1 and MCTS's BRT route, Connect 1 at the Milwaukee County Regional Center. Interstate 41 runs on the westside of the city. The westernmost portion of
918-714: The Hank Aaron State Trail runs through the city. The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (Milwaukee Road) Main line from Chicago to Miles City, which previously extended to Washington runs through Wauwatosa. The line had commuter service between Milwaukee and Watertown until 1972. Wauwatosa is served by the Wauwatosa School District: Catholic elementary schools in the city include St. Bernard, St. Joseph, St. Jude and Christ King. Lutheran Schools include Our Redeemer and St. John's. Wauwatosa contains Milwaukee County's Regional Medical Center, which includes
972-653: The Medical College of Wisconsin , the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin , and Froedtert Hospital , one of two level-one trauma centers in the state. Other points of interest are the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright ; and the Memorial Center, built in 1957, which contains the public library, an auditorium, and the city hall. The Washington Highlands Historic District ,
1026-537: The Menomonee River which gave the settlement its original name of "Hart's Mill." The mill was torn down in 1914. The Town of Wau-wau-too-sa was created by act of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature on April 30, 1840. As of the 1840 census , the population of the Town of Wau-wau-too-sa or Wauwatosa was 342. The town government was organized in 1842. The town's borders originally extended from
1080-656: The Thomas B. Hart House ; and the Wauwatosa Woman's Club Clubhouse . In July 2019, the Tourism Commission of Wauwatosa sponsored the installation of several new murals by professional artists. The murals are curated by Milwaukee-based public arts agency Wallpapered City, and the artworks appear on buildings from 64th Street to 70th Street along North Avenue.' Wauwatosa is the home town of the narrator of an unrecorded song by Bob Dylan , "On, Wisconsin" (not to be confused with
1134-433: The U.S. Census Bureau , from 1980 to 2000, the residential pattern of Blacks versus Whites in Milwaukee County was the most segregated in the country. In 2017, there were 13,431 births, giving a general fertility rate of 63.8 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, which is slightly above the Wisconsin average of 60.1. Additionally, there were 2,347 reported induced abortions performed on women of Milwaukee County residence, with
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#17328512127951188-463: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,189 square miles (3,080 km ), of which 241 square miles (620 km ) is land and 948 square miles (2,460 km ) (80%) is water. It is the third-smallest county in Wisconsin by land area. It is watered by the Milwaukee, Menomonee , Kinnickinnic , and Root Rivers. The surface is undulating, and the soil calcareous and fertile. As of
1242-502: The University of Wisconsin fight song of the same name ). The lyrics were written by Dylan in 1961, but the song remained unfinished until 2018, when local musician Trapper Schoepp wrote music to accompany Dylan's lyrics. Schoepp recorded the song at Wauwatosa's Wire & Vice studio for his album Primetime Illusion (2019). An episode of the police procedural television show Criminal Minds , entitled "In Name and Blood" (S03 E02),
1296-523: The census of 2010, there were 46,396 people, 20,435 households, and 11,969 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,501.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,352.0/km). There were 21,520 housing units at an average density of 1,624.2 per square mile (627.1/km). The racial makeup of the city was 89.6% White , 4.5% African American , 0.3% Native American , 2.8% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.6% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of
1350-488: The census of 2020 , the population was 939,489. The population density was 3,890.5 people per square mile (1,502.1 people/km ). There were 424,191 housing units at an average density of 1,756.6 units per square mile (678.2 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 52.0% White , 26.2% Black or African American , 4.9% Asian , 0.8% Native American , 6.8% from other races , and 9.3% from two or more races. Ethnically,
1404-544: The 19th century. In 1849 the Watertown Plank Road was constructed through Wauwatosa, mainly following the old Madison territorial road. In 1851 Wisconsin's first railroad (later The Milwaukee Road ) established Wauwatosa as its western terminus. The Village of Wauwatosa was incorporated from the central part of the Town of Wauwatosa in 1892, and was rechartered as the City of Wauwatosa on May 27, 1897. On November 25, 1952,
1458-407: The City of Wauwatosa more than doubled its size by annexing 8.5 square miles (22 square kilometers) of land west of the Menomonee River , the entire remaining portion of the Town of Wauwatosa, which became the home to several large cold storage and regional food distribution terminals. Industrial plants owned by firms including Harley-Davidson and Briggs & Stratton were also constructed. In
1512-499: The Wauwatosa area provided a key overland gateway between the rich glacial farmland of southeastern Wisconsin and the Port of Milwaukee . In 1835, Charles Hart became the first Euro-American to settle here, followed that year by 17 other families. The following year a United States Road was built from Milwaukee through Wauwatosa, eventually reaching Madison . Charles Hart built a mill in 1845 on
1566-496: The car at the traffic stop. The suspect's name is being withheld as authorities have identified him as a 15-year-old male. On January 6, 2023, Sevilla pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree reckless injury with the use of a dangerous weapon and on March 30, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of extended supervision. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said of the shooting: "We are thinking about all
1620-421: The city; the cross representing the "city of churches"; and the symbol used on street signs representing the "city of homes". On February 2, 2020, Alvin Cole, a 17-year-old African-American male, was shot and killed at Mayfair Mall by a police officer responding to a reported disturbance. According to authorities, Cole had been fleeing from police while carrying a stolen handgun. No charges were filed against
1674-554: The county executive, and the county comptroller run in nonpartisan elections while other countywide officials, such as the district attorney and sheriff, run in partisan elections. Like most urban counties, Milwaukee County is a Democratic stronghold, having voted for the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since 1960, and in all but four since 1912. However, there have been some notable exceptions. Former County Sheriff David Clarke , while repeatedly nominated and elected as
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1728-415: The customers and workers affected by this act of violence and are grateful for the first responders who helped get people to safety. As we learn more, we offer our support for the entire Wauwatosa community as they grapple with this tragedy." The Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention issued a statement after the shooting commending the quick response of first responders to the shooting, stating; "We commend
1782-481: The entrance to the Macy's in the mall. Officers believe the shooting was in relation to a fight near the area prior to the shooting, and they do not believe that the shooting was a random act. Eyewitnesses said they heard several shots but did not realize that it was a gun being fired until they saw victims fall to the floor. Many people fled the mall and went into the parking lots, where they used cars as cover to hide from
1836-494: The gunfire. Others sheltered in place or dropped to the floor to avoid the gunfire. By the time the first officers arrived at the scene, the suspect had already fled. More than 100 officers from local and federal agencies ultimately responded at the mall, including agents from the FBI . A reunification site was created away from the mall for all those that got separated during the shooting. Seven adults and one teenager were injured in
1890-485: The land later to be Wisconsin was made part of Michigan Territory , territorial governor Lewis Cass created Brown County , which at that time included all the land now part of Milwaukee County. It remained a part of Brown county until 1834, when Milwaukee County was created, including the area south of the line between townships eleven and twelve north (i.e., the northern boundary of Washington and Ozaukee counties), west of Lake Michigan, north of Illinois , and east of
1944-408: The line which now separates Green and Rock counties. This territory encompassed all of what are now Milwaukee, Jefferson , Kenosha , Ozaukee, Racine , Rock , Walworth , Washington, and Waukesha counties, as well as large parts of the present-day Columbia , Dane and Dodge counties. Milwaukee County remained attached to Brown County for judicial purposes until August 25, 1835, when an act
1998-468: The officer who fired the fatal shots, sparking protests. On November 20, a shooting occurred at the mall, leaving eight people injured. The shooter fled the scene afterwards and remained at large for a day, until the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 13.25 square miles (34.32 km), all land. Eastern Wauwatosa
2052-534: The past 40 years, western Wauwatosa has become an edge city with an important commercial and retail district built up along Milwaukee's beltline Highway 100 and anchored by the Mayfair Mall . In 1992, Wauwatosa received some national attention when the Wauwatosa Common Council, threatened with a lawsuit, decided to remove a Christian cross from the City's seal that had been adopted in 1957. The cross
2106-403: The population was 16.3% Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the 2010 census , there were 947,735 people, 383,591 households, and 221,019 families residing in the county. The population density was 3,932 people per square mile (1,518 people/km ). There were 418,053 housing units at an average density of 1,734 units per square mile (670 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county
2160-426: The population was claimed as members by religious congregations, although members of historically African-American denominations were underrepresented due to incomplete information. In 2014, Milwaukee County had 483 religious organizations, the 48th most out of all 3,141 US counties. Milwaukee County is governed through an eighteen-member Board of Supervisors and by an elected county executive . County supervisors,
2214-443: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.0% were of German , 10.9% Polish and 5.3% Irish ancestry. There were 377,729 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who
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2268-442: The population. There were 20,435 households, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.4% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
2322-460: The present-day Greenfield Avenue in the south to Hampton Avenue in the north, and from 27th Street in the east to the Waukesha County line in the west, encompassing sections of present-day Milwaukee, West Milwaukee and West Allis , plus the southern part of former North Milwaukee , which was wholly annexed into the city of Milwaukee in 1927. Most of the town was farmland through the remainder of
2376-414: The quick actions of mall staff and first responders in assisting families to safety and the life-saving efforts of the trauma unit at Froedtert Hospital. The Trauma Response Team is a partnership between the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention and Milwaukee County’s Child Mobile Crisis team to support children and youth exposed to violent or traumatic incidents in our community." Macy's released
2430-406: The region. As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $ 54,519, and the median income for a family was $ 68,030. Males had a median income of $ 46,721 versus $ 35,289 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 28,834. About 2.3% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over. As of
2484-401: The shooting, but all of them survived. Four of the victims were involved in the altercation that sparked the shooting, while the other four were described by police as innocent bystanders. In a press conference, the Wauwatosa police chief said that, according to eyewitness accounts, the suspect was likely "a white male in his 20s or 30s". A later report from police clarified the suspect was
2538-403: Was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age in the city was 39.8 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female. Wauwatosa has a mayor–council government . The mayor is elected to
2592-565: Was 60.6% White , 26.8% Black or African American , 0.7% Native American , 3.4% Asian , 0.003% Pacific Islander , 5.4% from other races , and 3.0% from two or more races. 13.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 383,591 households, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.1% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who
2646-443: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.14. In the county, the age distribution was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.6 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males. As of
2700-448: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.13. In the county, the age distribution was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males. According to
2754-417: Was involved in two other fatal shootings, among other issues, and revealed that the bullet Cole fired hit his own arm before he was fatally shot by the officer. His resignation is effective as of November 30, 2020. Despite this, no charges were filed against the officer, sparking protests. At around 2:50 p.m. CST on November 20, 2020, an unidentified suspect fired between eight and fifteen shots near
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#17328512127952808-570: Was passed by the Michigan territorial legislature giving it an independent organization. In 1836, the legislature divided the area south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers into counties, as a consequence reducing Milwaukee County's extent to what is now Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. In 1846 Waukesha County was created by taking from Milwaukee all of the territory west of range 21, reducing Milwaukee County to its present boundaries. According to
2862-458: Was replaced with the text "In God We Trust". The seal itself had originally been designed by 9-year old Suzanne Vallier as an entry in a contest among Wauwatosa schoolchildren. The quadrants of the logo's shield represented, from top left going clockwise: an arrowhead representing the Indians who were the original inhabitants of the city; the mill representing Hart's Mill which was the original name of
2916-490: Was set in Wauwatosa. Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Milwaukee County ( / m ɪ l ˈ w ɔː k i / ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin . At the 2020 census , the population was 939,489, down from 947,735 in 2010. It is both the most populous and most densely populated county in Wisconsin, and the 45th most populous county nationwide ; Milwaukee , its eponymous county seat ,
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