Waukesha History
Waukesha was first settled in 1834, became the Waukesha County seat in 1847, incorporated as a Village in 1852, and became a City in 1896. The City’s “healing” spring waters made it a popular destination for travelers in the late 19th century. The City transitioned into a major manufacturing center in the 20th century. It boasts a thriving downtown and vibrant cultural arts scene. Waukesha has an area of 25.7 square miles and is centrally located in Waukesha County along the Fox River, just south of IH 94 and about 17 miles west of Milwaukee.
Waukesha Demographics
As of April 2024
Age Range
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Waukesha Median Age0
Waukesha County Median Age
Waukesha Labor Force
As of April 2024
Major Private Employers
The largest private employers in the city are in the education, manufacturing, and health care industry sectors.
| ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital | 1,000 or more |
| GE HealthCare | 1,000 or more |
| Eaton Cooper Power Systems | 1,000 or more |
| Prolec-GE Waukesha, Inc. | 500 - 999 |
| Carroll University | 500 - 999 |
| Husco International | 250 - 499 |
| MetalTek International | 250 - 499 |
Waukesha County Jobs by Industry
*Unemployment rate for Waukesha County as of April 2024
Educational Opportunities
As of April 2024
Waukesha is served by the School District of Waukesha, which includes 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools, as well as six charter schools for students of all grade levels.
What we offer
The School District of Waukesha offers students innovative educational opportunities such as dual language; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and integrated arts, design, and creativity programs. In addition, the City is served by the Waukesha Public Library System and a number of private schools, including Catholic Memorial High School, ranked one of the top Catholic high schools in the country.
Numerous higher education opportunities are also available to Waukesha residents. Carroll University, the oldest university in Wisconsin, offers undergraduate and graduate programs, and UWM at Waukesha—a two-year campus affiliated with UW-Milwaukee— is also located in Waukesha.
In addition, Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) is located just north of Waukesha in Pewaukee and offers associates degrees, technical diplomas, and short-term certificates. Waukesha residents can take advantage of additional higher education opportunities in neighboring Milwaukee County, which is home to 15 colleges and universities, including UW-Milwaukee, Marquette University, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Together, these universities offer a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.
