Kenosha, Wisconsin

Kenosha, Wisconsin
HarborPark on Lake Michigan
A streetcar passes the county courthouse
Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse
Kenosha Public Museum
Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library
Nickname: 
K-Town[1]
Motto: 
Chart a Better Course[2]
Location of Kenosha in Kenosha County, Wisconsin
Kenosha
Location within Wisconsin
Kenosha
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 42°34′56″N 87°50′44″W / 42.58222°N 87.84556°W / 42.58222; -87.84556
Country United States
State Wisconsin
CountyKenosha
Settled (Pike Creek)1835
Incorporated
(village of Southport)
February 9, 1841[3]
Incorporated
(city of Kenosha)
February 8, 1850 (1850-02-08)[4]
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • MayorDavid F. Bogdala[5]
 • City Admin.John Morrissey[6]
Area
 • City
28.45 sq mi (73.69 km2)
 • Land28.36 sq mi (73.46 km2)
 • Water0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2)
Elevation
604 ft (184 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
99,986
 • Rank4th in Wisconsin
 • Density3,684.1/sq mi (1,360.46/km2)
 • Urban
125,865 (US: 265th)
 • Metro
169,151 (US: 264th)
DemonymKenoshan
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
53140–53144
Area code262
FIPS code55-39225[8]
GNIS feature ID1567416[9]
Commuter Rail
Websitewww.kenosha.org

Kenosha (/kəˈnʃə/ [10][11][12]) is a city in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat.[13] Situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, it is the fourth-most populous city in Wisconsin with a population of 99,986 at the 2020 census,[14] while the Kenosha metropolitan statistical area consisting solely of Kenosha County has roughly 169,000 residents.[15] Kenosha is a satellite city located roughly 32 miles (51 km) south of Milwaukee and 50 miles (80 km) north of Chicago via Interstate 94 and has significant cultural and economic connections to both cities.

Kenosha was founded in 1835 and incorporated in 1850. Initially developed as a port and manufacturing center, it played a prominent role in the regional economy through the 20th century, particularly in the automotive and durable goods industries. While manufacturing remains a component of the local economy, recent decades have seen growth in healthcare, education, and logistics. The headquarters of Snap-on and Jockey International are in Kenosha.[16] The city is home to several higher education institutions, including the University of Wisconsin–Parkside and Carthage College. Cultural and recreational amenities include the Kenosha Public Museum, Civil War Museum, and access to waterfront parks, marinas, and a restored electric streetcar system that serves the downtown and lakefront areas.

  1. ^ Cusack, Liam (June 2011). "A Good Life in K-Town". chicago.cooperatornews.com. Cooperator News. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "City of Kenosha". twitter.com. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  3. ^ "Municipal Data System". Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of Intergovernmental Relations. 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Wisconsin (March 23, 2018). "Acts and Resolves Passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin". David T. Dickson, printer to the state – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Mathewson, Kevin (April 16, 2024). "David F. Bogdala Sworn In As Kenosha's 51st Mayor Tuesday Morning". Kenosha County Eye. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  6. ^ City of Kenosha (2010), 'Mayor/Administration', accessed October 22 from http://www.kenosha.org/mayor/index.html
  7. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. ^ "Kenosha". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  11. ^ "Kenosha". Lexico US English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022.
  12. ^ Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster. 1997. p. 582.
  13. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  14. ^ "Kenosha city, Kenosha County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  15. ^ "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  16. ^ Dill, Molly (May 21, 2018). "Wisconsin has 9 companies on 2018 Fortune 500 list". biztimes.com. BizTimes Media. Retrieved May 21, 2021.