Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Last updated

Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Oak Creek City Branding.png
Official logo
Motto: 
"Where City Meets the Country" [1]
Milwaukee County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Oak Creek Highlighted.svg
Location of Oak Creek in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 42°53′4″N87°53′57″W / 42.88444°N 87.89917°W / 42.88444; -87.89917
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
State Flag of Wisconsin.svg  Wisconsin
County Milwaukee
Government
  MayorDaniel Bukiewicz
Area
[2]
  Total28.45 sq mi (73.68 km2)
  Land28.45 sq mi (73.68 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[3]
702 ft (214 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total36,497 [4]
  Density1,276.94/sq mi (493.02/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
53154
Area code 414
FIPS code 55-58800 [5]
GNIS feature ID1570601 [3]
Website www.oakcreekwi.gov

Oak Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located in Milwaukee County, it sits on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan and is located immediately south of Milwaukee. The city is one of the fastest growing in Milwaukee County and all of Wisconsin. [6] As of January 1, 2024, the population is 38,860.

Contents

The area has experienced an economic boom in recent years, with the addition of large companies such as Amazon, IKEA, and the Astronautics Corporation of America. [7]

History

On January 2, 1838, the territorial legislature divided Milwaukee County into two towns: the Town of Milwaukee, encompassing everything north of the present Greenfield Avenue, and the Town of Lake encompassing everything south of the present Greenfield Avenue; "and the polls of election shall be opened at the house of Elisha Higgins, in said town." On March 8, 1839, a new Town of Kinnikennick was created, encompassing the western part of Lake (later the Towns of Greenfield and Franklin); finally, on August 13, 1840, the south portion of the Town of Lake was split off to form the town of Oak Creek. As of the 1840 census, the population of the Town of Lake (then including Oak Creek) was 418. [8]

In 1955, the Town of Oak Creek, then still semi-rural with a population of 4,807 in the 1950 census, was incorporated as a city under the terms of Wisconsin statute 66.0215, also known as "The Oak Creek Law." [9] The Oak Creek Law was crafted by Town Attorney Tony Basile to prevent Oak Creek's annexation by the City of Milwaukee, which by annexations (including the 1954 annexation of the remainder of the Town of Lake) was now bordering Oak Creek and had already annexed one small portion of the town; the law was shepherded through the legislature with the help of state Democratic party legislative joint committee chairman Leland McParland, who was the state senator for Oak Creek. [10]

In recent years, the 85 acre site called the Drexel Town Square, built on part of the site where the gigantic AC Spark Plug factory once stood, has become the city's newest economic venture. It is home to a number of retail shops, restaurants, a hotel, residential buildings, and a medical facility. The Civic Center includes city hall and the public library. The town square also features a farmers market, splash pad, ice rink, and an outdoor amphitheater. The town square development won the 2016 Vision Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal. [11]

On August 5, 2012, a white supremacist [12] opened fire at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek. [13] The white supremacist killed six people and injured several more before being killed by Oak Creek Police. [14]

Geography

Oak Creek is located at 42°53′4″N87°53′57″W / 42.88444°N 87.89917°W / 42.88444; -87.89917 (42.884347, −87.899209). [15]

It is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area and borders the cities of Milwaukee and Greenfield to the north, the city of South Milwaukee to the north and east, Lake Michigan to the east, the village of Caledonia to the south, the city of Franklin and the village of Greendale to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.45 square miles (73.69 km2), all of it land. [16]

A small section of the Root River flows north from Racine County through Oak Creek at its southern edge at the Root River Parkway. [17] Additionally, the Oak Creek watershed originates in the city of Franklin and meanders through to Grant Park in South Milwaukee, and ultimately into Lake Michigan. The stream drains about 26 square miles. [18]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1960 9,372
1970 13,92848.6%
1980 16,93221.6%
1990 19,51315.2%
2000 28,45645.8%
2010 34,45121.1%
2020 36,4975.9%
Source: U.S. Census [19]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, [5] there were 28,456 people, 11,239 households and 7,530 families. The population density was 994.4 per square mile (383.9/km2). There were 11,897 housing units at an average density of 415.7 per square mile (160.5/km2). The ethnic makeup was 91.96% White, 1.82% African American, 0.59% Native American, 2.39% Asian, 1.70% from other ethnic groups, and 1.53% from two or more ethnic groups. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.45% of the population.

There were 11,239 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. Of all households, 25.3% were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10.

25.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

The median household income was $53,779 and the median family income was $63,381. Males had a median income of $43,935 and females $31,443. The per capita income was $23,586. About 1.2% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, [20] there were 34,451 people, 14,064 households and 9,077 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,210.9 per square mile (467.5/km2). There were 14,754 housing units at an average density of 518.6 per square mile (200.2/km2). The racial makeup was 87.7% White, 2.8% African American, 0.7% Native American, 4.5% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.5% of the population.

There were 14,064 households, of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.5% were non-families. Of all households, 28.6% were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age was 37.4 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 11% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

Economy

Former Midwest Airlines headquarters, now owned by Bucyrus International Midwest Airlines HQ Dec09.jpg
Former Midwest Airlines headquarters, now owned by Bucyrus International

Midwest Airlines's headquarters were located in Oak Creek. [21] In January 2010 Republic Airways, the parent company of Midwest, announced that it would move all Republic executives, including Midwest Airlines executives, to Indianapolis, Indiana. [22]

Mining equipment manufacturer Bucyrus International announced June 22, 2010 that it would move headquarters personnel from South Milwaukee to Midwest Airlines' former headquarters space in Oak Creek. Senior management and other personnel would be moving to the new location making room for additional employees at its South Milwaukee facility.[ citation needed ] Caterpillar Inc. intends to locate the Caterpillar Mining world headquarters there after its acquisition of Bucyrus International.[ citation needed ]

The Oak Creek Power Plant is in Oak Creek. The city also hosts a number of small companies, with interests ranging from engineering to agriculture.

In May 2018, the first IKEA in Wisconsin opened its doors in Oak Creek. It is a 290,000-square foot site located directly off of I-94. [23]

Arts and culture

The Oak Creek Historical Society is a private organization established in 1964 to preserve the history of Oak Creek. The organization maintains a museum complex consisting of five historic buildings and a gift shop, on the grounds of Forest Hill Memorial Park in Oak Creek.

Government

Mayors of Oak Creek


At the federal level, Oak Creek is located in Wisconsin's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Bryan Steil.

Education

Oak Creek is part of the Oak Creek Franklin School District. [24]

Elementary schools

Middle schools

High schools

Private schools

Infrastructure

Transportation and transit

According to Walk Score, Oak Creek is a largely "car dependent" city, with an overall walk score of 21/100 and it has "minimal biking infrastructure", with an overall bike score of 40/100. [25]

Oak Creek is serviced by the Milwaukee County Transit System routes 40, 80, 219 and the PurpleLine. [26]

The city shares a border with General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. In the metro Milwaukee area, three Class 1 railroads deliver freight. For passenger transport, Amtrak’s Hiawatha service connects General Mitchell International Airport to the heart of Chicago. [27]

Healthcare

The Froedtert Drexel Town Square Health Center and Aurora Health Center are located in Oak Creek and provide urgent care. Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital is located in neighboring Franklin.

Public safety

The Oak Creek Police Department is responsible for the city's law enforcement since September 11, 1956. [28]

Notable people

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References

  1. "Local History". oakcreeklibrary.org. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "QuickFacts Oak Creek city, Wisconsin; United States". census.gov. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. Wright, Benjamin (December 2, 2011). "Oak Creek: The Fastest Growing Milwaukee County Community". patch.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  7. Jozwik, Catherine (April 30, 2019). "How Sleepy Oak Creek Became a Boom Town". Shepherd Express . Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  8. 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. 68-69
  9. Wisconsin Legislature Data
  10. Cech, Jim. Oak Creek: Fifty Years of Progress. Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 1995; pp. 9-25; 35-37
  11. "History". drexeltownsquare.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  12. Associated Press (August 6, 2013). "Sikh temple shooter identified as Wade Michael Page, white supremacist (+video) Page was a 'frustrated neo-Nazi' who led a racist white supremacist band, the Southern Poverty Law Center said Monday". csmonitor.com. Dinesh Ramde, Todd Richmond.
  13. "'Seven killed' in Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting". BBC News. August 5, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  14. "Gunman, six others dead at Wisconsin Sikh temple". CNN. August 6, 2012.
  15. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  16. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  17. "Root River Parkway". greaterracinecounty.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  18. "Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Plan". rootpikewin.org. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  19. Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (July 2004). "The Population of Southeastern Wisconsin" (PDF). Technical Report Number 11 (4th Edition). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 31, 2008. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  21. "Contact Us Archived 2008-11-21 at the Wayback Machine ." Midwest Airlines . Retrieved on May 20, 2009.
  22. Freed, Joshua. "Republic Airways Moving Execs to Indianapolis". Associated Press at ABC News. January 14, 2010. Retrieved on January 22, 2010.
  23. "IKEA Celebrates Grand Opening of Oak Creek, WI Store". Business Wire. May 16, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  24. "Oak Creek Franklin Join School District" Archived 2010-11-25 at the Wayback Machine , "About Our Schools". Retrieved 2010-12-8.
  25. "Living in Oak Creek". walkscore.com. Walk Score . Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  26. "Buses & Public Transit". oakcreekwi.org. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  27. "Transportation Network". oakcreekwi.org. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  28. "Police Department". oakcreekwi.org. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  29. THE LEGISLATIVE MANUAL OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN (11th ed.). Madison, Wis. 1872. p. 453.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  30. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1913,' Biographical Sketch of Luke Scanlan, pg. 677
  31. Wisconsin Blue Book 1882