Located along the Fox River, Waukesha is focused on providing its residents with a high standard of living in a very affordable package. Moving to Waukesha is a strong choice for many people moving interstate to Wisconsin. The city has a population of 68,739 and so is a relatively small community which has excellent services. Waukesha was placed 36th in 2006 by the Money Magazine among the Top 100 places to live in the United States.
Economy:
The city has an estimated annual median household income of $52,379, which is higher than the state median value. Residents enjoy a higher standard of living as compared to other cities. The home sales have fallen over the years but that is because people who have moved to Waukesha do not prefer moving intrastate to another city. The city has an active service industry with a very efficient healthcare setup. Most of the female population works in healthcare. The construction industry is also very active with the majority of the males working in construction. Waukesha has companies working in the computer industry as well.
History:
The first settlers arrived in Waukesha in 1834. The area was first incorporated as Village of Prairieville in 1846. A year later, the town was renamed as Waukesha after an Indian tribe. There is a common misconception that the name comes from the word for "foxes". Waukesha has had very interesting historical events. The city has a history in football and also events related to the Cold War. The first legal forward pass was made in 1906 when a SLU player threw it. SLU won the game 22-0 and brought a new era to the sport. During the Cold War, the city was the site of three Nike Missile Batteries. The army operated the command and control centre here from 1956 to 1970. On the other hand the city was a famous spa location because of its high quality spring water. Many rich people visited the city's luxury resorts. The Fountain Spring House was one of the most notable resorts in Waukesha.
Tourism:
Waukesha has been famous for tourism from a long time. In the early 1900s it was a famous spa location. Today there are numerous attractions for visitors and many recreation facilities for residents. The Apple Harvest festival is celebrated with hay rides, concerts and family activities. The Waukesha Art Festival is held with competitions for fine arts and many entertainment activities. Summer concerts are held by the Les Paul Band Shell to celebrate modern music. There are a number of museums in Waukesha. The Old World Wisconsin focuses on the rural history and features a number of buildings. Then there is the Waukesha County Museum and the Ashton Arts Gallery. Wisconsin Highland Games is a very enthusiastic festival which brings in large crowds as well.