Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

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Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Wauwatosa (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; colloquially 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

The lush Menomonee Valley of 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 the Menomonee River which gave the settlement its original name of "Hart's Mill." The mill was torn down in 1914.<ref>Milwaukee Journal, July 12, 1914</ref>

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.<ref>Watrous, Jerome Anthony, Memoirs of Milwaukee County: from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County, Chicago: Western Historical Association, 1909; Volume 1, pp. 69-70</ref> The town government was organized in 1842. The town's borders originally extended from 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 the 19th century.

Wauwatosa in 1892

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Robertson Ace Hardware Building; one of the original buildings in Wauwatosa

On November 25, 1952, Wauwatosa more than doubled its size by annexing Template:Convert of land west of the Menomonee River, the entire remaining portion of the Town of Wauwatosa,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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. Wauwatosa became 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 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 the city; the cross representing the "city of churches"; and the symbol used on street signs representing the "city of homes".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The cross was replaced with the text "In God We Trust".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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 the officer who fired the fatal shots, sparking protests.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> 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,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> until the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The city's downtown was significantly affected by widespread flash flooding on August 9–10, 2025.<ref name="NYT">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="A Look at the Aftermath">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>

Eastern Wauwatosa 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 the region.

Climate

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Demographics

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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.

2010 census

As of the census<ref name="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 46,396 people, 20,435 households, and 11,969 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 21,520 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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 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 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.

Points of interest

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

Wauwatosa contains Milwaukee County's Regional Medical Center, which includes 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, 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; 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.'<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Government and politics

Wauwatosa has a mayor–council government. The mayor is elected to 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 Wisconsin's 4th congressional district for the United States House of Representatives, with small parts of northern Wauwatosa in Wisconsin's 5th congressional district. Wauwatosa voters have supported Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian candidates.

Year Election Democratic Republican Others Total Plurality
Candidate Votes Pct. Candidate Votes Pct. Votes Pct.
2024 U.S. President<ref name="Wauwatosa Election Results 2024">Template:Cite news</ref> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Kamala Harris valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 22,136 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 68.99% Donald Trump 9,312 29.02% 637 1.99% 32,085 12,824
U.S. Senate<ref name="Wauwatosa Election Results 2024"/> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Tammy Baldwin valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 21,848 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 68.51% Eric Hovde 9,580 30.04% 463 1.45% 31,891 12,268
2022 Governor<ref name="WauwatosaEL-45-2022">Template:Cite web</ref> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Tony Evers valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 18,544 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 69.80% Tim Michels 7,838 29.50% 184 0.7% 26,566 10,706
U.S. Senate<ref name="WauwatosaEL-45-2022" /> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Mandela Barnes valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 18,099 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 68.11% Ron Johnson 8,406 31.63% 68 0.26% 26,573 9,693
2020 U.S. President<ref name="Wauwatosa Election Results 2020">Template:Cite news</ref> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Joe Biden valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 20,880 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 66.03% Donald Trump 10,104 31.95% 636 2.01% 31,620 10,776
2018 Governor<ref name="WauwatosaEL-45">Template:Cite web</ref> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Tony Evers valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 15,705 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 57.26% Scott Walker 11,276 41.11% 448 1.63% 27,429 4,429
U.S. Senator<ref name="WauwatosaEL-45" /> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Tammy Baldwin valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 17,126 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 62.63% Leah Vukmir 10,162 37.16% 57 0.21% 27,345 6,964
2016 U.S. President<ref name="2016 Wauwatosa Election Results">Template:Cite news</ref> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Hillary Clinton valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 16,316 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 56.87% Donald Trump 10,034 34.98% 2,250 7.87% 28,600 6,282
U.S. Senator<ref name="2016 Wauwatosa Election Results"/> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Russ Feingold valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 15,038 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 52.31% Ron Johnson 13,147 45.73% 563 1.96% 28,748 1,891
2014 Governor<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Mary Burke 11,713 47.16% valign="top" Template:Party shading/Republican | Scott Walker valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Republican | 12,875 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Republican | 51.83% 252 1.01% 24,840 1,162
2012 U.S. President<ref name="2012 wauwatosa.net">Template:Cite news</ref> valign="top" Template:Party shading/Democratic | Barack Obama valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 15,220 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Democratic | 50.61% Mitt Romney 14,511 48.25% 344 1.14% 30,075 709
U.S. Senate<ref name="2012 wauwatosa.net"/> Tammy Baldwin 14,516 49.00% valign="top" Template:Party shading/Republican | Tommy Thompson valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Republican | 14,588 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Republican | 49.24% 522 1.76% 29,626 72
Governor (recall)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Tom Barrett 12,033 45.90% valign="top" Template:Party shading/Republican | Scott Walker valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Republican | 14,059 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Republican | 53.63% 125 0.47% 26,217 2,026
2010 Governor<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Tom Barrett 11,541 47.56% valign="top" Template:Party shading/Republican | Scott Walker valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Republican | 12,579 valign="top" align="right" Template:Party shading/Republican | 51.84% 144 0.06% 24,264 1,038

Education

Wauwatosa is served by the Wauwatosa School District, which includes nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and two secondary schools: Wauwatosa East High School and Wauwatosa West High School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additional school- istrict services are provided to juvenile residents of the Milwaukee County Grounds—at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee County's Children and Adolescent Services Center—through the River Hills School on the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex grounds. County juveniles in secure detention receive educational services through the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center School within the Milwaukee County Children's Court building. Several private Catholic and Lutheran elementary schools also operate in the city.

Transportation

Wauwatosa is served by Milwaukee County Transit System and Waukesha Metro Transit. Interstate 41 runs on the west side of the city.

The westernmost portion of the Hank Aaron State Trail runs through the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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 the home town of the narrator of an unrecorded song by Bob Dylan, "On, Wisconsin" (not to be confused with the University of Wisconsin fight song of the same name).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Notable people

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References

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