Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Oak Creek is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 28,456 at the 2000 census. In 2009, its population was estimated at 33,946.

History
Oak Creek, then still semi-rural, was incorporated in 1955 under the terms of Wisconsin statute 66.0215, also known as "The Oak Creek Law." The Oak Creek Law was crafted by Town Attorney Tony Basile to prevent its annexation by neighboring Milwaukee; and was put through with the help of state Democratic party legislative joint committee chairman Leland McParland, who was the state senator for Oak Creek.

Geography
Oak Creek is located at 42.88444°N, -87.89917°W (42.884347, -87.899209).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.6 square miles (74.2 km²), of which, 28.6 square miles (74.1 km²) of it is land and 0.03% is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,456 people, 11,239 households, and 7,530 families. The population density was 994.4 people 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 of the city is 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 out 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. 25.3% of all households 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.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% 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 income for a household in the city was $53,779, and the median income for a family was $63,381. Males had a median income of $43,935 versus $31,443 for females. The per capita income for the city 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.

Government
On April 7, 2009 Incumbent Mayor Richard "Dick" Bolender defeated Alderwoman Dimity Grabowski for mayor.

Mayors of Oak Creek

 * Art Abendschein (1955 – 1972)
 * Elroy Honadel (1972 – 1974)
 * Don Hermann (1974 – 1985)
 * Milo Schocker (1985 – 1988)
 * Chris Bastian (1988 – 1991)
 * Dale Richards (1991 - 2003)
 * Richard "Dick" Bolender (2003 - Dec 10, 2011)
 * Steve Scaffidi (Dec 11, 2011 - Dec 22, 2011) Acting Mayor due to the December 10 death of Bolender.
 * Al Foeckler (Dec 22, 2011 - ) appointed Mayor to serve the remainder of Bolender's term.

Oak Creek Common Council
Aldermen:
 * Mayor: Al Foeckler
 * 1st District: Dan Jakubczyk (since 2009)
 * 2nd District: Daniel J. Bukiewicz(since 2008)
 * 3rd District: Stephen Scaffidi (since 2009)(Common Council President 4/2011-4/2012)
 * 4th District: Michael E. Toman (since 2003)
 * 5th District: Kenneth A. Gehl (since 2009)
 * 6th District: Tom Michalski, Common Council President (since 2006)

Economy
Midwest Airlines's headquarters were located in Oak Creek. 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.

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. Caterpillar Inc. intends to locate the Caterpillar Mining world headquarters there after its acquisition of Bucyrus International.

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, including the locally-famous Black Bear Bottling plant.

The American Society of Anesthesia Technologists & Technicians is also based in Oak Creek.

Public Education
Oak Creek is part of the Oak Creek Franklin School District.

Elementary Schools

 * Carollton Elementary
 * Cedar Hills Elementary
 * Deerfield Elementary
 * Edgewood Elementary
 * Meadowview Elementary
 * Shepard Hills Elementary
 * Early Learning Academy

Middle Schools

 * East Middle School
 * West Middle School

High Schools

 * Oak Creek High School