South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

South Milwaukee is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 21,256 at the 2000 census.

Geography
South Milwaukee is located at 42.91111°N, -87.86417°W (42.911016, -87.864030).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.8 square miles (12.4 km²), of which, 4.8 square miles (12.4 km²) of it is land and 0.21% is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,256 people, 8,694 households, and 5,616 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,447.5 people per square mile (1,716.9/km²). There were 9,122 housing units at an average density of 1,908.6 per square mile (736.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.81% White, 1.04% African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.01% of the population.

There were 8,694 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,197, and the median income for a family was $54,474. Males had a median income of $38,146 versus $27,121 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,925. About 4.5% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
South Milwaukee is the headquarters of Bucyrus International, formerly Bucyrus-Erie, which is known for constructing large shovels and dragline excavators, including Big Muskie, the world's largest mobile earth-moving machine. Bucyrus shovels were used in the construction of the Panama Canal.



Recreation
Within South Milwaukee's borders is Grant Park, part of the Milwaukee County Park System. Grant Park features the Oak Leaf Bike trail, tennis courts, a swimming beach, an 18-hole golf course and the Seven Bridges Hiking Trail along the shore of Lake Michigan.

In 2005, the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center was built adjacent to the new South Milwaukee High School. This Performing Arts Center, which is open to the public, hosts a variety of entertainment.

Notable people

 * William P. Atkinson, member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
 * Richard Grobschmidt lived in South Milwaukee, graduated from South Milwaukee High School, taught there, and represented South Milwaukee in the Wisconsin State Assembly and then the Wisconsin State Senate from 1985-2003.
 * Roger Sherman Hoar - Massachusetts State Senator and author who lived in South Milwaukee
 * Jackie Kashian, stand-up comedian born in South Milwaukee and graduated from South Milwaukee High, who refers to South Milwaukee in her act as being "east of Milwaukee"
 * Reginald Lisowski, an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "The Crusher"
 * NFL player Phil Sobocinski was born in South Milwaukee.
 * Medal of Honor recipient Gary George Wetzel was born in South Milwaukee
 * Chuck Zehner, the former host of the PBS series Tracks Ahead lived in South Milwaukee.