Kenosha, Wisconsin is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, and is about 32 miles south of Milwaukee. Kenosha has a population of about 98,000. The summer temperatures average in the 70s, and the winters are cold with temps in the 20s with an average snowfall of 46 inches. Those moving to Kenosha will fall in love with its small town ambiance and its many diverse parks and spaces for outdoor activities.
Economy:
The median household income for Kenosha is very close to the state average. The cost of living is higher than the national average. The unemployment rate in Kenosha is currently 10.6 percent. While Kenosha was home to many top industrial companies, many have closed due to economic problems. While many people living in Kenosha commute to jobs in surrounding cities like Milwaukee and Chicago, some of the top employers in Kenosha include Snap-on Inc and DaimlerChrysler. The largest private employer in Kenosha is Abbott Laboratories.
History:
Long home to Indian tribes who fished the waters of the lake, the first Europeans arrived in the early 1830s. They began building homes in the area in 1835. A school and churches soon followed, and when the town got its post office in 1836, the township was named Pike. Because the area soon became an important shipping port on the Great Lakes, the name was changed to Southport. In 1850 the name finally became Kenosha. Kenosha became home to the automotive industry between 1905 and 1988. The Rambler, Nash, Hudson and eventually the American Motors Corp all produced cars out of Kenosha.
Tourism:
The Kenosha Civil War Museum explores the Civil War from the aspect of how it affected the area. The Dinosaur Discovery Museum has exhibits pertaining to birds and meat-eating dinosaurs. The Jelly Belly Visitors Center will show you how a jelly bean is made. The Kenosha History Center has on-going exhibits about the history of Kenosha County. The Electric Streetcar Circulator will take visitors on a two mile loop of the historic district. The Kenosha Public Museum has find and decorative arts. The Washington Park Velodrome is the country's oldest operating bicycle race track in the country. The Kenosha Harbor market is a European-style farmer's market that is open from May to October. The Durkee Mansion is a Victorian mansion built in the 1860s with tours daily. You can view the Pierhead Lighthouse, built in 1906. The Kenosha Pop Concert Band has summer concerts. In July, there is the Taste Of Wisconsin food festival in Kenosha. In August, there is the Pike River Rendezvous where you can learn about fur trading.