Kenosha, Wisconsin

{{Short description|City in Wisconsin, United States}} {{Redirect|Kenosha}} {{distinguish|Canosia Township, Minnesota}} {{pp-move-indef}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Use American English|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Kenosha, Wisconsin | settlement_type = City | nickname = K-Town<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cusack |first1=Liam |title=A Good Life in K-Town |url=https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/kenosha-wisconsin/full |website=chicago.cooperatornews.com |publisher=Cooperator News |access-date=July 26, 2021 |date=June 2011}}</ref> | motto = Chart a Better Course<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Kenosha |url=https://twitter.com/city_of_kenosha |website=twitter.com |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 280 | perrow = 1/2/2/1 | caption_align = center | image1 = South on 6th Ave. from 56th St., Kenosha, WI.jpg | caption1 = Downtown Kenosha | image2 = Tram passes in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse and Jail.jpg | caption2 = Kenosha streetcar | image3 = Kenosha's Lakefront.jpg | caption3 = HarborPark | image4 = Kenosha July 2022 012 (Kenosha North Pier Light).jpg | caption4 = North Pier Light | image5 = Kenosha July 2022 008 (Kenosha Public Museum).jpg | caption5 = Kenosha Public Museum }} | image_seal = Kenosha_city_seal.png | image_blank_emblem = City_of_Kenosha_logo.png | blank_emblem_size = 150px | blank_emblem_type = Logo | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 10 | mapframe-point = none | pushpin_map = Wisconsin#USA | pushpin_label = Kenosha | pushpin_label_position = left | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_map_caption = Location within Wisconsin##Location within the United States | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Wisconsin}} | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Kenosha | government_type = Municipality | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = David F. Bogdala<ref>{{cite web |title =David F. Bogdala Sworn In As Kenosha's 51st Mayor Tuesday Morning |author=Mathewson, Kevin |publisher =Kenosha County Eye |url =https://kenoshacountyeye.com/2024/04/16/david-f-bogdala-sworn-in-as-kenoshas-51st-mayor-tuesday-morning/ |date=April 16, 2024 |accessdate = April 17, 2024 }}</ref> | leader_title1 = City Admin. | leader_name1 = John Morrissey<ref name="kenosha.org">City of Kenosha (2010), 'Mayor/Administration', accessed October 22 from http://www.kenosha.org/mayor/index.html</ref> | established_title = Settled (Pike Creek) | established_date = 1835 | established_title1 = Incorporated (village of Southport) | established_date1 = February 9, 1841<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mds.wi.gov/View/MunicipalRecords|accessdate=November 7, 2024|title=Municipal Data System|publisher=Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of Intergovernmental Relations|date=2024}}</ref> | established_title2 = Incorporated (city of Kenosha) | established_date2 = {{Start date and age|1850|02|08}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=98A4AAAAIAAJ&q=%22Act+To+Incorporate+the+City+of+Kenosha%22+-amend+-repeal&pg=PA164 |title=Acts and Resolves Passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin|last=Wisconsin|date=March 23, 2018|publisher=David T. Dickson, printer to the state|via=Google Books}}</ref> | established_title3 =  | established_date3 = | area_magnitude = | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_55.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 73.69 | area_land_km2 = 73.46 | area_water_km2 = 0.23 | area_total_sq_mi = 28.45 | area_land_sq_mi = 28.36 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.09 | elevation_m = 184 | elevation_ft = 604 | coordinates = {{coord|42|34|56|N|87|50|44|W|region:US-WI_type:city|display=inline,title}} | population_total = 99986 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_rank = 4th in Wisconsin | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = 1360.46 | population_density_sq_mi = 3684.1 | population_urban = 125865 (US: 265th) | population_metro = 169151 (US: 264th) | population_demonym = Kenoshan | timezone = CST | utc_offset = −6 | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = −5 | postal_code_type = ZIP Codes | postal_code = 53140–53144 | area_code = 262 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 55-39225<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 1567416<ref name="GR3-u">{{cite gnis|1567416|Kenosha|2026-02-19}}</ref> | website = [http://www.kenosha.org/ www.kenosha.org] | footnotes = | unit_pref = Imperial | blank1_name_sec2 = Commuter Rail | blank1_info_sec2 = 50px|link=Metra }}

'''Kenosha''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|n|oʊ|ʃ|ə|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Kenosha.wav}}<ref>{{cite Merriam-Webster|Kenosha|access-date=December 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/en/definition/Kenosha |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826165221/https://www.dictionary.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |title=Kenosha |dictionary=Lexico US English Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary |date=1997 |publisher=Merriam-Webster |location=Springfield, MA |page=582}}</ref>) is a city in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, it is the fourth-most populous city in Wisconsin, with 99,986 residents at the 2020 census.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kenosha city, Kenosha County, Wisconsin|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US5505939225|website=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=April 30, 2022}}</ref> The Kenosha metropolitan statistical area, consisting solely of Kenosha County, has roughly 169,000 residents.<ref name=PopEstCBSA>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html#v2024 |title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau, Population Division |date=March 13, 2025 |access-date=March 13, 2025 }}</ref> Kenosha is a satellite city located roughly {{convert|32|mi}} south of Milwaukee and {{convert|50|mi}} north of Chicago via Interstate 94 and has significant cultural and economic connections to both cities.

Founded in 1835 and incorporated in 1850, Kenosha developed as a port and manufacturing center and remained a regional hub for automotive and durable goods production through the 20th century. It is the headquarters of Snap-on and Jockey International and hosts several higher education institutions, including the University of Wisconsin–Parkside and Carthage College. Cultural and recreational facilities include the Kenosha Public Museum, Civil War Museum, waterfront parks and marinas, and a restored electric streetcar system that serves the downtown and lakefront areas.

==History== The Potawatomi originally named the area {{transliteration|pot|Kenozia}} (also transcribed {{transliteration|pot|ginoozhe}}, {{transliteration|pot|kinoje}}) "place of the pike",<ref> * Bright, William. 2004. ''Native American Placenames of the United States''. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, p. 213. * Vogel, Virgil J. 1991. ''Indian Names on Wisconsin's Map''. Madison: Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, pp. 154, 266. * Hosmanek, John J. 2006. ''Kenosha''. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. * Nestor, Sandy. 2004. ''Indian Placenames in America''. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, p. 184.</ref> while the Menominee referred to the place as {{transliteration|mez|Kenūsīw}}, meaning "Northern Pike".<ref>The Menominee Clans Story, Sponsored by University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, ''Menominee Place Names In Wisconsin'', [https://www4.uwsp.edu/museum/menomineeClans/places/chart.aspx Menominee Place Names In Wisconsin]</ref> The early Ojibwa name is reported as {{transliteration|oj|Masu-kinoja}} "trout (pike) come all at once". These refer to the annual spawning of trout, in which thousands of fish entered the rivers from Lake Michigan, providing food for the coming months.

Sites of early human habitation have been discovered in the Kenosha vicinity. It remains unclear if any sites pre-date the Clovis culture{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} but, if so, those sites would be contemporaneous with the Wisconsin glaciation.<ref>Wasion, David. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050408051803/http://www.sas.org/tcs/weeklyIssues_2005/2005-02-11/feature1/index.html "The Mammoth Hunter: David Wasion's Quest for Pre-Clovis People in North America"] ''The Citizen Scientist'', February 11, 2005. Accessed April 8, 2005.</ref> Paleo-Indians settled in the area at least 13,500 years ago.<ref>Falk, Terrence. [https://web.archive.org/web/20051107092217/http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/042004/bones.asp "Bones to Pick"] ''Milwaukee Magazine'', April 2004</ref>

The first European settlers, part of the Western Emigration Company, arrived in the early 1830s, from Hannibal and Troy, New York, led by John Bullen Jr., who sought to purchase enough land for a town. Thwarted in Milwaukee and Racine, the group arrived at Pike Creek on June 6, 1835, building log houses and later homes of frame, native stone, and brick. The first school and churches followed, with platting completed in 1836.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wikenosh/mfrank.htm |title= Genealogy and Family History Records |publisher=Rootsweb.ancestry.com |date=April 22, 2001 |access-date=August 2, 2011}}</ref> As more settlers arrived and the first post office was established, the village was known as Pike Creek, then renamed Southport in 1837, a name which lives on as a southeast-side neighborhood, park, and elementary school, and has been adopted by several businesses.<ref name="Town of Southport">{{cite news|title=Town of Southport No More |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/853093/former_names_of_kenosha_wisconsin/|newspaper=Kenosha Democrat|date=March 11, 1853|page=3|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = August 13, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref>

The area became an important Great Lakes shipping port. In 1850, the village changed its name from Southport to Kenosha, which is its current name. The name Kenosha was adapted from the Chippewa word ''kinoje'' (pike or pickerel).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS9309 |title=Origin of Kenosha, Wisconsin |date=June 2, 2017 |publisher=Wisconsinhistory.org |access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref>

===20th century=== From the beginning of the 20th century through the 1930s, Italian, Irish, Polish, and German immigrants, many of them skilled craftsmen, made their way to the city and contributed to the city's construction, culture, architecture, music, and literature.<ref>{{cite web |title=20th-Century Immigration Patterns in Wisconsin |url=http://www.wcucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/BWC-2-1-20_century_immigration.pdf |website=wcucc.org |publisher=Wisconsin Council of Churches |access-date=February 2, 2021}}</ref>

Kenosha was home to large automotive factories which fueled its economy during the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kirk |first1=Benny |title=Looking Back at a Time When Kenosha, Wisconsin, Was a Mo-Town Satellite City |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/decades-before-kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-wi-was-a-mo-town-satellite-city-174657.html |website=autoevolution.com |access-date=December 10, 2021 |date=November 20, 2021}}</ref> Between 1902 and 1988, Kenosha produced millions of automobiles and trucks<ref>[http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/citys_auto_history_reaches_back_more_than_100_years_4790377.html City's auto history reaches back more than 100 years]{{Dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> including makes and models such as Jeffery, Rambler, Nash, Hudson, LaFayette, and American Motors Corporation (AMC). In May 1954, Nash acquired Detroit-based Hudson and the new firm was named American Motors Corporation. A {{convert|47|acre|m2|adj=on}} westside park and an elementary school are named for Charles W. Nash.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nash.kusd.edu/ |title=Kenosha Unified School District |publisher=Nash.kusd.edu |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719225826/http://nash.kusd.edu/ |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A prototype steam car was built in Kenosha by Robert Symmonds, Jr., John Sullivan, and Louis Larsen in 1900.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Horseless carriage," before 1901 - UWDC - UW-Madison Libraries |url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AJFJ5VNWGXQ4E58T |access-date=2025-12-02 |website=search.library.wisc.edu}}</ref> Two years later, the Thomas B. Jeffery Company, builders of the Sterling bicycle, began production of the Rambler runabout. In 1902, Rambler and Oldsmobile were the first cars to employ mass-production techniques. The 1903 Rambler was also the first US-built production automobile to use a steering wheel, rather than the then-common tiller-controlled steering. Auto executive Charles W. Nash purchased Jeffery in 1916 and the new company became Nash Motors.

In partnership with French automaker Renault, AMC manufactured several models in Kenosha in the early 1980s, including the Alliance, which won the 1983 "Car of The Year" award from ''Motor Trend''. Two decades earlier, AMC's 1963 Rambler Classic had also received the award. In 1987, Renault sold its controlling interest in AMC to Chrysler Corporation, which had already contracted with AMC for the production of its M-body midsized cars at the Kenosha plant. The AMC Lakefront plant (1960–1988), a smaller facility, was demolished in 1990 (a chimney-demolition ceremony that June drew 10,000 spectators) and was redeveloped into HarborPark.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kenoshakorner.com/post/636062/HARBOR-PARK-a-brief-history |title=Harbor Park: a brief history |publisher=Kenoshakorner.com |date=August 11, 2008 |access-date=August 2, 2011}}</ref> The area now hosts lakeside condominiums, a large recreational marina, numerous parks and promenades, sculptures, fountains, the Kenosha Public Museum, and the Civil War Museum, all of which are connected by the Kenosha Electric Railway streetcar system.

Like other Rust Belt cities, Kenosha deindustrialized in the 1980s, causing it to gradually transition into a services-based economy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mashayekhi |first1=Ray |title=Kenosha's unusual economic evolution made it the perfect political flashpoint |url=https://fortune.com/2020/09/05/kenosha-wisconsin-manufacturing-american-economy/ |website=fortune.com |publisher=Fortune |access-date=December 8, 2020 |date=September 5, 2020}}</ref> In the 2010s, the city and surrounding county have benefited from an expanding economy and increased job growth.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Arthur |title=Kenosha County's booming job growth hasn't translated to population growth |url=https://biztimes.com/kenosha-countys-booming-job-growth-hasnt-translated-to-population-growth/ |website=biztimes.com |publisher=Milwaukee Business News |access-date=December 10, 2021 |date=October 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Major Rebuilding Project Proposed For Kenosha's Damaged Uptown |url=https://www.wgtd.org/news/major-rebuilding-project-proposed-kenoshas-damaged-uptown |website=wgtd.org |publisher=WGTD |access-date=December 10, 2021 |date=November 13, 2020}}</ref>

In 1973, residents in the Town of Pleasant Prairie sought to have territory annexed and rezoned to allow for the industrial development of agricultural property.<ref>''Town of Pleasant Prairie v. City of Kenosha'', 75 Wis. 2d 322, 249 N.W.2d 581 (1977)</ref> In the ensuing legal battle between Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie, the town accused the city of improperly coercing or bribing agricultural property owners to file for rezoning and annexation in order to obtain city water and electric services that could not be provided by the town. The town argued that industrial development would jeopardize the town's residential nature. The court found the annexation proper, with no illicit bribes or improper conduct by the city.

In June 1993, the city installed reproductions of the historic Sheridan LeGrande street lights that were specially designed for Kenosha by Westinghouse Electric in 1928; these can be seen on Sixth Avenue between 54th Street and 59th Place.

===21st century=== {{See also|Kenosha unrest}} thumb|Residents paint a boarded-up building following unrest in 2020

The {{convert|2|mi|spell=in|adj=on|abbr=out}} downtown electric streetcar system was opened on June 17, 2000, and on September 22, 2014, the Kenosha city council approved a crosstown extension of the system incorporating the existing route between 48th and 61st Streets on both 6th and 8th Avenues.<ref>Kenosha News, September 23, 2014</ref>

In the aftermath of the August 2020 police shooting of Jacob Blake, protests, riots, and civil unrest occurred in Kenosha. Demonstrations were marked by daily peaceful protesting followed by confrontations with law enforcement and rioting, looting, vandalism, and arson at night. A state of emergency was declared on August 23, and the National Guard was activated the following day. On August 25, a controversial shooting occurred during the unrest, leading to a polarized response.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Noor|first=Poppy|date=August 28, 2020|title=Vigilante, volunteer, terrorist: how the US media covers Kyle Rittenhouse|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/28/vigilante-volunteer-terrorist-how-us-media-covers-kyle-rittenhouse|url-status=live|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007175130/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/28/vigilante-volunteer-terrorist-how-us-media-covers-kyle-rittenhouse|archive-date=October 7, 2020}}</ref> Both then-President Donald Trump and then-Presidential candidate Joe Biden visited Kenosha.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jacob Blake: Comparing Trump and Biden's Kenosha visits |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-54022030 |website=bbc.com |publisher=BBC News |access-date=May 21, 2021 |date=September 4, 2020}}</ref>

Protests continued daily through August 29 with approximately 2,000 members of the National Guard assisting the city in restoring order.<ref>{{cite news |title=55 arrested in connection to Kenosha riots following Jacob Blake shooting |url=https://www.cbs58.com/news/55-arrested-in-connection-to-kenosha-riots-following-jacob-blake-shooting |access-date=May 11, 2021 |work=WDJT-TV |date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326205208/https://www.cbs58.com/news/55-arrested-in-connection-to-kenosha-riots-following-jacob-blake-shooting |archive-date= March 26, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Becky |last2=Schaper |first2=David |title=Kenosha Protests, Violence Expose Racial Disparities Among The Worst In The Country |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/02/908605928/kenosha-protests-violence-expose-racial-disparities-among-the-worst-in-the-count |access-date=May 11, 2021 |publisher=National Public Radio |date=September 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509011142/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/02/908605928/kenosha-protests-violence-expose-racial-disparities-among-the-worst-in-the-count|archive-date= May 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vielmetti |first1=Bruce |last2=Volpenhein |first2=Sarah |title=More than 250 arrests in Kenosha unrest; most have been from the surrounding area |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2020/09/04/most-arrests-during-kenosha-unrest-have-been-surrounding-area/5701286002/ |access-date=May 11, 2021 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=September 4, 2020}}</ref><ref name=KNEWS/> Damages exceeding $50 million occurred, with over 100 businesses affected.<ref name=KNEWS>{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Terry |title=Damage due to rioting, unrest in Kenosha tops $50 million; 2,000 Guard assisted here |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/damage-due-to-rioting-unrest-in-kenosha-tops-50-million-2-000-guard-assisted-here/article_26473ec9-c08a-5490-9d09-cc2b840b65f1.html |access-date=May 11, 2021 |work=Kenosha News |issue=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429072818/https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/damage-due-to-rioting-unrest-in-kenosha-tops-50-million-2-000-guard-assisted-here/article_26473ec9-c08a-5490-9d09-cc2b840b65f1.html |archive-date= April 29, 2021}}</ref>

In November 2021, Kenosha once again became the subject of worldwide attention as the jury trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, the defendant in the 2020 unrest shooting, commenced.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kyle Rittenhouse verdict: Kenosha quiet after months in spotlight |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/kyle-rittenhouse-verdict-kenosha-quiet-044507325.html |access-date=November 22, 2021 |agency=WITI (TV) |date=November 20, 2021 |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121172027/https://www.yahoo.com/now/kyle-rittenhouse-verdict-kenosha-quiet-044507325.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> As part of the city's emergency preparedness, over 500 members of the National Guard were activated ahead of the verdict.<ref>{{cite news |title=National Guard activated ahead of Rittenhouse verdict; Local police also prepare for announcement |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/national-guard-activated-ahead-of-rittenhouse-verdict-local-police-also-prepare-for-announcement/article_98087be9-460c-594c-911c-814e5966f2fd.html |access-date=November 22, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=November 12, 2021}}</ref> Judge Bruce Schroeder dismissed Rittenhouse's unlawful possession charge and the curfew violation charge for being legally unsupported,<ref name="dismiss12">{{Cite news |last1=Levenson |first1=Eric |last2=Parks |first2=Brad |last3=Hassan |first3=Carma |date=November 10, 2021 |title=Prosecution rests its case against Kyle Rittenhouse and judge dismisses curfew violation charge |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/09/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-tuesday/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116050957/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/09/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-tuesday/index.html |archive-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref><ref name="dismiss22">{{Cite news |last=Richmond |first=Todd |date=November 15, 2021 |title=Explainer: Why did judge drop Rittenhouse gun charge? |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/why-did-judge-drop-kyle-rittenhouse-gun-charge-d923d8e255d6b1f5c9c9fc5b74e691fb |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116004102/https://apnews.com/article/why-did-judge-drop-kyle-rittenhouse-gun-charge-d923d8e255d6b1f5c9c9fc5b74e691fb |archive-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref> and a unanimous jury found Rittenhouse not guilty of the remaining charges.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Vogt |first1=Adrienne |last2=Sangal |first2=Aditi |last3=Wagner |first3=Meg |last4=Macaya |first4=Melissa |last5=Mahtani |first5=Melissa |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Rittenhouse jury reaches verdict |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-verdict-watch-11-19-21/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119184114/https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-verdict-watch-11-19-21/index.html |archive-date=November 19, 2021}}</ref> Following the verdict on November 19, some protests occurred in Kenosha but remained peaceful.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jeong |first1=Andrew |title=Kyle Rittenhouse acquittal sparks sporadic protests and Portland clashes — but Kenosha remains peaceful|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/20/kyle-rittenhouse-verdict-protests/ |access-date=November 22, 2021 |agency=The Washington Post |date=November 20, 2021}}</ref>

On December 7, 2021, "Carl the Kenosha Turkey", a turkey who had become a social media sensation and local icon, was hit by a vehicle and killed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Carl the Kenosha Turkey dead after being hit by a car, police say |url=https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/carl-the-kenosha-turkey-dead-after-being-hit-by-a-car-police-say |access-date=December 7, 2021 |agency=WTMJ-TV |date=December 7, 2021}}</ref> The turkey was named the city's unofficial mascot in 2020 and was seen by some as a source of positivity as Kenosha faced hardships in 2020–2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Truttshell |first1=Dan |title=Carl the Kenosha Turkey saga comes to a sad ending: Forest Park fixture killed after being hit by vehicle |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/carl-the-kenosha-turkey-reportedly-killed-after-being-hit-by-vehicle/article_d8bc9560-8952-5691-acc7-ecf2fba52347.html |website=kenoshanews.com |publisher=Kenosha News |access-date=December 7, 2021 |date=December 7, 2021}}</ref>

===Historic districts=== Kenosha has 21 locations and three districts, Civic Center, Library Park and Third Avenue, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenosha's Historic Districts |url=https://kenoshahistorycenter.org/districts.html |website=kenoshahistorycenter.org |access-date=February 11, 2021}}</ref> The city has a Kenosha Landmarks Commission, and among the many local city-designated landmarks are the 1929 YMCA, the Manor House, the John McCaffary House, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, the Washington Park Clubhouse, the Ritacca Triplex, the Ritacca Service Station, and the Justin Weed House.

==Geography== Kenosha is in southeastern Wisconsin, bordered by Lake Michigan to the east, the village of Somers to the north, the village of Bristol to the west, and the village of Pleasant Prairie to the south. Kenosha's passenger train station is the last stop on Chicago's Union Pacific North Metra line. Kenosha is 32 miles south of Milwaukee and 49 miles north of Chicago.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|27.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|26.93|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 25, 2012 }}</ref>

===Neighborhoods=== [[File:Kenosha WI Marina.jpg|thumb|Kenosha's downtown marina]]

Kenosha is home to a mixture of blue and white collar workers as well as students who attend the local universities. Kenosha consists of neighborhoods divided into three regions – Downtown, Uptown, and West of I-94 (referred to by locals at "West of the I" or simply "the county").<ref>{{cite web |title=The Kenosha Community |url=https://www.visitkenosha.com/plan-your-visit/our-communities/ |website=visitkenosha.com |access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> The city's northside is home to both the University of Wisconsin–Parkside and Carthage College.

Kenosha's downtown is located along the Lake Michigan shoreline and consists of government buildings, parks, beaches, restaurants, shops, museums, and entertainment venues. The neighborhood of HarborPark is both a residential and commercial area.<ref>{{cite web |title=HarborPark |url=https://www.visitkenosha.com/listing/harborpark/279/ |website=visitkenosha.com |access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> Directly south of the Downtown area is the neighborhood of Allendale.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marovich |first1=Steve |title=ONCE UPON A TIME, ALLENDALE WAS A DESTINATION FOR GOLFERS |url=https://www.kenosha.com/2021/03/20/once-upon-a-time-allendale-was-a-destination-for-golfers/ |website=kenosha.com |access-date=August 3, 2021 |date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>

Uptown Kenosha consists of a largely blue-collar population and is a mixture of locally owned businesses and residential areas.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Truttschel |first1=Dan |title=Major retail/residential project proposed for Uptown |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/major-retail-residential-project-proposed-for-uptown/article_7cf4e354-cee8-58c3-9616-382b71c8f9b8.html |website=kenoshanews.com |publisher=Kenosha News |access-date=August 3, 2021 |date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> Prominent Uptown neighborhoods include Brass,<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.uptownbrassvillage.com/about.html |website=uptownbrassvillage.com |access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> Lincoln Park,<ref>{{cite web |title=Uptown Kenosha cleanup planned for Saturday morning |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/uptown-kenosha-cleanup-planned-saturday-morning/article_ee921a60-f5ac-51a4-97a8-be05323f893f.html |website=kenoshanews.com |publisher=Kenosha News |access-date=August 3, 2021 |date=June 18, 2021}}</ref> and Wilson Heights.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zampanti |first1=Jeff |title=City still searching for developer to take on Wilson Heights project |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/city-still-searching-for-developer-to-take-on-wilson-heights-project/article_b4463c3b-19ce-5334-9072-686eafda8178.html |website=kenoshanews.com |publisher=Kenosha News |access-date=August 3, 2021 |date=July 30, 2019}}</ref>

===Climate=== Kenosha has a humid continental climate (Köppen: ''Dfa'', bordering on ''Dfb'') with warm summers and cold winters. The record high is {{convert|105|°F}}, set in July 2012. The record low is {{convert|−31|°F}}, set in January 1985.<ref>{{cite web|title=XMACIS2|url=http://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/|website=XMACIS2|publisher=National Weather Service|access-date=February 4, 2017}}</ref> Heavy fall and winter snowstorms, including blizzards, are not uncommon. The city has experienced several record storms, including the January 1979 North American blizzard, during which approximately {{convert|19|in|cm}} of snow fell,<ref>{{cite news|last=Andreas|first=John |title=Storm claims three lives here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news-storm-claims-three-lives-he/187239134/ |accessdate=December 24, 2025 |work=Kenosha News |date=January 15, 1979|via=Newspapers.com}}{{limited access}}</ref> and the 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard, which deposited {{convert|23.2|in|cm}} of snow.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 2011 |title=2011 Snow Totals From Select Locations |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/mkx/doc-events/winter/020211/2_2_SnowTotals.pdf |website=National Weather Service|location= |publisher=NOAA |access-date=December 24, 2025}}</ref> {{Weather box | location = Kenosha, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1944–present) | single line = yes | Jan record high F = 65 | Feb record high F = 74 | Mar record high F = 83 | Apr record high F = 90 | May record high F = 94 | Jun record high F = 102 | Jul record high F = 105 | Aug record high F = 102 | Sep record high F = 100 | Oct record high F = 89 | Nov record high F = 81 | Dec record high F = 70 | year record high F = 105 | Jan avg record high F = 51.4 | Feb avg record high F = 54.1 | Mar avg record high F = 66.7 | Apr avg record high F = 77.9 | May avg record high F = 84.7 | Jun avg record high F = 90.8 | Jul avg record high F = 94.1 | Aug avg record high F = 91.7 | Sep avg record high F = 87.9 | Oct avg record high F = 79.2 | Nov avg record high F = 66.3 | Dec avg record high F = 55.1 | year avg record high F = 95.5 | Jan high F = 30.8 | Feb high F = 34.1 | Mar high F = 43.1 | Apr high F = 52.7 | May high F = 63.6 | Jun high F = 73.3 | Jul high F = 79.7 | Aug high F = 78.5 | Sep high F = 71.9 | Oct high F = 60.3 | Nov high F = 47.3 | Dec high F = 35.9 | year high F = 55.9 | Jan mean F = 24.0 | Feb mean F = 27.1 | Mar mean F = 35.8 | Apr mean F = 45.0 | May mean F = 55.1 | Jun mean F = 65.1 | Jul mean F = 71.9 | Aug mean F = 71.1 | Sep mean F = 64.0 | Oct mean F = 52.4 | Nov mean F = 40.1 | Dec mean F = 29.3 | year mean F = 48.4 | Jan low F = 17.1 | Feb low F = 20.1 | Mar low F = 28.5 | Apr low F = 37.4 | May low F = 46.7 | Jun low F = 56.9 | Jul low F = 64.1 | Aug low F = 63.8 | Sep low F = 56.1 | Oct low F = 44.5 | Nov low F = 32.9 | Dec low F = 22.8 | year low F = 40.9 | Jan avg record low F = -5.1 | Feb avg record low F = 0.7 | Mar avg record low F = 10.5 | Apr avg record low F = 25.0 | May avg record low F = 36.5 | Jun avg record low F = 45.9 | Jul avg record low F = 55.0 | Aug avg record low F = 55.1 | Sep avg record low F = 42.2 | Oct avg record low F = 30.1 | Nov avg record low F = 17.2 | Dec avg record low F = 2.5 | year avg record low F = -9.1 | Jan record low F = −31 | Feb record low F = −23 | Mar record low F = −9 | Apr record low F = 10 | May record low F = 26 | Jun record low F = 33 | Jul record low F = 41 | Aug record low F = 40 | Sep record low F = 30 | Oct record low F = 20 | Nov record low F = −5 | Dec record low F = −29 | year record low F = -31 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation inch = 1.92 | Feb precipitation inch = 1.83 | Mar precipitation inch = 2.67 | Apr precipitation inch = 4.19 | May precipitation inch = 4.12 | Jun precipitation inch = 4.13 | Jul precipitation inch = 3.41 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.68 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.53 | Oct precipitation inch = 3.51 | Nov precipitation inch = 2.42 | Dec precipitation inch = 2.19 | year precipitation inch = 37.60 | Jan snow inch = 11.3 | Feb snow inch = 9.8 | Mar snow inch = 5.7 | Apr snow inch = 0.8 | May snow inch = 0.0 | Jun snow inch = 0.0 | Jul snow inch = 0.0 | Aug snow inch = 0.0 | Sep snow inch = 0.0 | Oct snow inch = 0.1 | Nov snow inch = 1.5 | Dec snow inch = 7.0 | year snow inch = 36.2 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in | Jan precipitation days = 10.3 | Feb precipitation days = 8.5 | Mar precipitation days = 9.7 | Apr precipitation days = 12.2 | May precipitation days = 12.3 | Jun precipitation days = 10.6 | Jul precipitation days = 9.0 | Aug precipitation days = 9.6 | Sep precipitation days = 8.6 | Oct precipitation days = 9.8 | Nov precipitation days = 9.5 | Dec precipitation days = 9.5 | year precipitation days = 119.6 | unit snow days = 0.1 in | Jan snow days = 6.6 | Feb snow days = 5.2 | Mar snow days = 2.7 | Apr snow days = 0.5 | May snow days = 0.0 | Jun snow days = 0.0 | Jul snow days = 0.0 | Aug snow days = 0.0 | Sep snow days = 0.0 | Oct snow days = 0.0 | Nov snow days = 1.2 | Dec snow days = 4.1 | year snow days = 20.3 |source 1 = NOAA<ref name = nws>{{cite web | url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mkx | title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = June 15, 2021 | archive-date = May 8, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210508190345/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mkx | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=NCEI> {{cite web | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00474174&format=pdf | title = Station: Kenosha, WI | work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = June 15, 2021}}</ref> }}

{{Weather box | location = Kenosha, Wisconsin (Kenosha Regional Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1997–present |single line = Yes |collapsed = Yes

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00004845&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Kenosha RGNL AP, WI |access-date = February 25, 2024 }} </ref> |source 2 = National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020)<ref name = NOWData> {{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=mkx |publisher = National Weather Service |title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Milwaukee |access-date = February 25, 2024 }} </ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1850 = 3455 | 1860 = 3990 | 1870 = 4309 | 1880 = 5039 | 1890 = 6532 | 1900 = 11606 | 1910 = 21371 | 1920 = 40472 | 1930 = 50262 | 1940 = 48765 | 1950 = 54368 | 1960 = 67899 | 1970 = 78805 | 1980 = 77685 | 1990 = 80352 | 2000 = 90352 | 2010 = 99218 | 2020 = 99986 | estyear = 2024 | estimate = 99578 | estref =<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kenosha city, Wisconsin; Wisconsin |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kenoshacitywisconsin,WI/PST045223 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref> | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/> | align = right | align-fn = center }}

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Kenosha city, Wisconsin – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kenosha city, Wisconsin|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?q=p004&g=160XX00US5539225|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kenosha city, Wisconsin|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US5539225&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kenosha city, Wisconsin|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US5539225&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|2020}} |- |White alone (NH) |71,686 |68,967 |style='background: #ffffe6; |62,835 |79.34% |69.51% |style='background: #ffffe6; |62.84% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |6,810 |9,540 |style='background: #ffffe6; |10,279 |7.54% |9.62% |style='background: #ffffe6; |10.28% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |337 |332 |style='background: #ffffe6; |224 |0.37% |0.33% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.22% |- |Asian alone (NH) |686 |1,637 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1,843 |0.96% |1.65% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.84% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |37 |48 |style='background: #ffffe6; |49 |0.04% |0.05% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05% |- |Other race alone (NH) |123 |122 |style='background: #ffffe6; |318 |0.14% |0.12% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.32% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |1,488 |2,441 |style='background: #ffffe6; |4,788 |1.65% |2.46% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.79% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |9,003 |16,130 |style='background: #ffffe6; |19,650 |9.96% |16.26% |style='background: #ffffe6; |19.65% |- |'''Total''' |'''90,352''' |'''99,218''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''99,986''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, Kenosha had a population of 99,986.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A39225&in=state%3A55|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|3,529.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}.<ref name="2020-census-5539225">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Kenosha city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5539225&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref>

There were 41,641 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,470.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}} and 39,282 households in the city; 5.7% of housing units were vacant, the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%, and the rental vacancy rate was 6.2%. Of all households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 39.1% were married-couple households, 20.6% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present, and 31.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/><ref name="2020-census-5539225"/>

The median age was 36.1 years; 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.9 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

99.9% of residents lived in urban areas and 0.1% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A39225&in=state%3A55|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> The 2020 census population included 592 people incarcerated in adult correctional facilities and 1,790 people in student housing.<ref name="2020-P5-5539225">{{cite web|title=Group Quarters Population, 2020 Census: Kenosha city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5539225&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P5 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A39225&in=state%3A55|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 67,888 || 67.9% |- | Black or African American || 10,822 || 10.8% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 518 || 0.5% |- | Asian || 1,906 || 1.9% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 65 || 0.1% |- | Some other race || 7,268 || 7.3% |- | Two or more races || 11,519 || 11.5% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 19,650 || 19.7% |}

===2023 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey one-year estimates=== {| class="cx-linter-tag" | valign="top" | {{Pie chart | thumb = left | caption = Racial Makeup of Kenosha (2023)<ref name=Kenosha-B03002-2023>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT1Y2023.B03002?q=B03002&g=160XX00US5539225|title=B03002 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – Kenosha, Wisconsin – 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates|date=July 1, 2023 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=November 21, 2024}}</ref> | label1 = White alone | value1 = 66.87 | color2=#36A | label2 = Black alone | value2 = 8.77 | color1=#6A5 | label3 = Native American alone | value3 = 0.02 | color3=#FF33AC | label4 = Asian alone | value4 = 0.83 | color4=#1A9 | label5 = Pacific Islander alone | value5 = 0.00 | color5=#E17720 | label6 = Some other race alone | value6 = 6.95 | color6=#F0FF00 | label7 = Two or more races | value7 = 16.56 | color7=#64ECDF }} | valign="top" | {{Pie chart | thumb = left | caption = Racial Makeup of Kenosha treating Hispanics as a Racial Category (2023)<ref name=Kenosha-B03002-2023 /> ''NH=Non-Hispanic'' | label1 = White NH | value1 = 62.59 | color2=#36A | label2 = Black NH | value2 = 7.91 | color1=#6A5 | label3 = Native American NH | value3 = 0.02 | color3=#FF33AC | label4 = Asian NH | value4 = 0.83 | color4=#1A9 | label5 = Pacific Islander NH | value5 = 0.00 | color5=#E17720 | label6 = Other race NH | value6 = 0.17 | color6=#F0FF00 | label7 = Two or more races NH | value7 = 6.89 | color7=#64ECDF | label8 = Hispanic Any Race | value8 = 21.59 | color8=#9400D3 }} | valign="top" | {{Pie chart | thumb =left | caption = Racial Makeup of Hispanics in Kenosha (2023)<ref name=Kenosha-B03002-2023 /> | label1 = White alone | value1 = 19.83 | color2=#36A | label2 = Black alone | value2 = 3.95 | color1=#6A5 | label3 = Native American alone | value3 = 0.00 | color3=#FF33AC | label4 = Asian alone | value4 = 0.00 | color4=#1A9 | label5 = Pacific Islander alone | value5 = 0.00 | color5=#E17720 | label6 = Other race alone | value6 = 31.42 | color6=#F0FF00 | label7 = Two or more races | value7 = 44.79 | color7=#64ECDF }} |}

===2010 census=== As of the census<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 18, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 99,218 people, 37,376 households, and 24,090 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3684.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 40,643 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1509.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 77.1% White, 10.0% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 6.8% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 16.3% of the population.

There were 37,376 households, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.5% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.17.

The median age in the city was 33.5 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 10.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

The 2010 census reported that 51 percent of Kenosha residents moved in from other cities and states. The Chamber of Commerce attributed this to the city's museums, lakeshore attractions, cultural and work opportunities, its public-school system, transportation amenities, and relatively lower costs-of-living.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.kaba.org/kaba/news/2012/nonnatives_0412.asp |first= Melinda |last= Tichelaar |title= Kenosha Leads State in Non-Native Population |newspaper= Kenosha News |date= April 26, 2012 |access-date= May 30, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160130211637/http://www.kaba.org/kaba/news/2012/nonnatives_0412.asp |archive-date= January 30, 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

The importance of manufacturing jobs in Kenosha continues to diminish with only 11.7 percent or 7,769 of the total workforce of 66,362 area residents involved, a decline of 22 percent since 1990 and much lower than the statewide percentage of 16.4 percent.<ref name=Kenoshanews>Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development figures, 2017 as quoted in the Kenosha News, "[https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/factory-town-no-more/article_6716d522-01a4-5cc1-b96e-c5ced149315b.html Factory town no more]" by Deneen Smith, December 24, 2018</ref>

The biggest surge in Kenosha employment by percentage has been in the white-collar workforce. From 1990 to 2017, the percentage of Kenosha's workforce in business and professional services grew nearly fivefold from 3.2% of the workforce to 11%, while statewide the trend was slightly more than double. The growth has been both to due new office developments in the city, but also due to new suburban developments as Illinois workers seek more affordable housing.<ref name=Kenoshanews/>

===2000 census=== As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 90,352 people, 34,411 households, and 22,539 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3,795.1|PD/sqmi|abbr=out}}. There were 36,004 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,512.3|/sqmi|abbr=out}}. The racial makeup of the city was 83.6% White, 7.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.0% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races and 2.4% from two or more races. 10.0% of the population were Hispanic of any race. 25.5% were of German, 11.5% Italian, 7.1% Irish and 6.6% Polish ancestry.

There were 34,411 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them: 47.1% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.5% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city, the population included 27.2% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

===Crime===

The city's violent crime rate for 2018 was 338.18 per 100,000 people, a 15.94% decline from 2017.<ref>[https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/us/wi/kenosha/crime-rate-statistics Kenosha WI Crime Rate 1999-2018.] www.macrotrends.net. Retrieved December 8, 2020.</ref> In 2019, there were 5 reported homicides and an overall 1,888 crimes per 100,000 people, 7.0% higher than the overall crime rate for Wisconsin but lower than the national average of 2,489 per 100,000 people.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stebbins |first1=Samuel |title=Crime in Kenosha, Wisconsin |url=https://247wallst.com/city/crime-in-kenosha-wisconsin/ |website=24wallst.com |access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref>

Kenosha saw a notable increase in its homicide rate in 2021, with 14 recorded; nearly triple the city's average.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Deenen |title=Spike in Kenosha Homicides Has Families Looking for Answers |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/wisconsin/articles/2021-10-30/spike-in-kenosha-homicides-has-families-looking-for-answers |access-date=November 2, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=U.S. News |date=October 30, 2021}}</ref> The recorded homicide rate dropped in 2022, with 7 recorded that year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holmes |first1=Isiah |title=Gunshot data raises awkward questions for Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood |url=https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2023/04/12/shots-fired-data-reveals-issues-around-kenosha-innovation-neighborhood/ |website=wisconsinexaminer.com |publisher=Wisconsin Examiner |access-date=April 17, 2023 |date=April 12, 2023}}</ref> ==Economy==

thumb|Harbor Park and the surrounding residential area. Nearly 90% of Kenosha's lakefront is dedicated to public use and is a major contributor to the city's economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenosha |url=https://wisconsinharbortowns.net/towns/kenosha/ |website=wisconsinharbortowns.net |date=November 26, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref> Kenosha's economy is fueled by its position within the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor. Nearly half of Kenosha's workforce commutes outside of Kenosha County to their employers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.co.kenosha.wi.us/ |title=Kenosha County, WI |publisher=Co.kenosha.wi.us |date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=August 2, 2011}}</ref> The Chicago-area commuter rail network Metra has a route between Downtown Chicago and Kenosha. A 2016 study found that Kenosha's "out-commuters most likely work for positions in healthcare, manufacturing, professional/scientific and technical services. The majority of occupations included management, business/financial, and office/administrative support position", and 73 percent of out-commuters have a bachelor's degree or a higher level of education.<ref>Kenosha Area Business Alliance www.kaba.org</ref> Due to lower housing costs compared to other parts of the Chicago metropolitan area, Kenosha is a popular relocation area those wanting to benefit from high paying jobs and a lower cost of living.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lawson |first1=James |title=Wisconsin becoming a new relocation target for Illinois residents |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/business/wisconsin-becoming-a-new-relocation-target-for-illinois-residents/article_d0ee829b-2416-5887-82e8-0c912deb4d22.html |access-date=December 13, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=January 4, 2020}}</ref> In January 2026, Realtor.com named Kenosha the hottest housing market in the United States for a second month in a row, attracting roughly 2.6 times the national average views per property.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Hannah |title=January 2026 Hottest Housing Markets |url=https://www.realtor.com/research/january-2026-hottest-housing-markets/ |website=realtor.com |publisher=Realtor.com |access-date=13 February 2026 |date=12 February 2026}}</ref>

Snap-on Tools world headquarters and Jockey International corporate headquarters are in Kenosha.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dill |first1=Molly |title=Wisconsin has 9 companies on 2018 Fortune 500 list |url=https://biztimes.com/wisconsin-has-9-companies-on-2018-fortune-500-list/ |website=biztimes.com |publisher=BizTimes Media |access-date=May 21, 2021 |date=May 21, 2018}}</ref> Kenosha has a number of light industrial and distribution companies in outlying business parks. Amazon, Rustoleum, Uline, Associated Wholesale Grocers, and others have warehouses and distribution centers located in Kenosha.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lawson |first1=James |title=Amazon facilities in Kenosha sold for $176 million, called a Chicago area industrial record |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/amazon-facilities-in-kenosha-sold-for-176-million-called-a-chicago-area-industrial-record/article_e4b24eed-e6af-582f-8eb5-14aaa82dd8c0.html |access-date=March 1, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=July 2, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Sean |title=Rust-Oleum plans $7 million expansion of Kenosha warehouse |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/real_estate/2013/11/rust-oleum-plans-7-million-expansion.html |access-date=March 1, 2021 |agency=Milwaukee Business Journal |date=November 14, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Terry |title=Uline expanding its footprint in Kenosha County |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/business/uline-expanding-its-footprint-in-kenosha-county/article_f55c0b23-cc08-5662-81d0-cc891e313235.html |access-date=March 1, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=March 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kenosha, WI |url=https://www.awginc.com/locations12.html |website=awginc.com |access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldbeck |first1=Madison |title=Kroger to open facility in Kenosha County and plans to hire more than 700 people |url=https://www.cbs58.com/news/kroger-to-open-facility-in-kenosha-county-and-plans-to-hire-more-than-700-people |access-date=March 1, 2021 |agency=CBS |publisher=WDJT-TV |date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> In 2022, Square Roots farm opened a fully indoor hydroponic facility within refurbished shipping containers in Kenosha. It is expected to be able to grow 2.4 million packages of fresh produce annually for distribution to the surrounding Chicago metro area and into the Milwaukee metro area.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kirwan |first1=Hope |title=New indoor farm opens in Kenosha using refurbished shipping containers, hydroponics |url=https://www.wpr.org/new-indoor-farm-opens-kenosha-using-refurbished-shipping-containers-hydroponics |website=wpr.org |publisher=Wisconsin Public Radio |access-date=January 28, 2022 |date=January 27, 2022}}</ref>

Tourists spent an estimated $196.6 million in Kenosha County in 2015, with the county ranking fourth in the state in tourist money generated.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20160502091235/http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/tourism_a_consistent_boost_to_local_economy_487696655.php Tourism a consistent boost to local economy]". ''Kenosha News'', April 29, 2016.</ref>

Downtown Kenosha sits along the Lake Michigan lakefront. In recent years, organizations such as Downtown Kenosha Inc. (DKI) manage the day-to-day economic development efforts, business support and promotional activities for the district.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.downtownkenosha.org/our-story/ |website=downtownkenosha.org |access-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303013552/https://www.downtownkenosha.org/our-story/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2023, a $450 million development to the downtown area was approved by the city council. The development plan will include thousands of apartments, condominiums, office buildings, retail spaces, hotels, and government buildings all within a nine-block radius.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Casey |first1=Evan |title=$450M development in Kenosha moves forward, could reshape downtown area |url=https://www.wpr.org/450m-development-kenosha-moves-forward-could-reshape-downtown-area |access-date=May 30, 2023 |agency=Wisconsin Public Radio |date=May 16, 2023}}</ref>

Downtown Kenosha is home to the Kenosha HarborMarket, a European-style farmer's market held mid-May through mid-October on 2nd Ave bisected by the 56th Street boulevard streetcar line. It hosts stalls with local food products and artisan creations.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Our Market |url=https://www.kenoshaharbormarket.com/about-our-market.html |access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> In addition, the downtown area has a collection of over 50 restaurants, bars, breweries, and shops of various kinds. Frank's Diner, which has been an attraction in downtown Kenosha since 1926, is the oldest diner in the United States and has been featured twice on Guy Fieri's ''Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'', once in 2007 and again in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Frank's Diner, An American Tradition Since 1926 |url=https://www.franksdinerkenosha.com/history/ |website=franksdinerkenosha.com |access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Snyder |first1=Elizabeth |title=Watch now: Kenosha diner to be featured again on Food Network on Friday night |url=https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/watch-now-kenosha-diner-to-be-featured-again-on-food-network-on-friday-night/article_7e2bccef-6515-5f8f-80b2-6d56bd815c6a.html |access-date=August 16, 2021 |agency=KPVI-DT |date=August 16, 2021 |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816203320/https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/watch-now-kenosha-diner-to-be-featured-again-on-food-network-on-friday-night/article_7e2bccef-6515-5f8f-80b2-6d56bd815c6a.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Residential developments have also provided added condominiums and apartments.<ref>{{cite web |title=Living Here |url=https://www.downtownkenosha.org/living-here/ |website=downtownkenosha.org |access-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306023818/https://www.downtownkenosha.org/living-here/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Near downtown, the Kenosha Public Museum System includes the main Kenosha Public Museum, the Dinosaur Discovery Museum in association with Carthage College and the Smithsonian, and the Kenosha Civil War Museum. On Simmons Island, the Kenosha History Center and adjacent Maritime Museum offer memorabilia from the city's nautical past.

In February 2020, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced $10 million in state funding toward the proposed Kenosha STEM Innovation Center within the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN), which is a currently planned 60,000 sq. ft. building to be constructed on the empty 107 acre site of the former Chrysler factory. It will serve as a multi-purpose building dedicated to education, workforce development, and entrepreneurial opportunities.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Funding Offer for Kenosha's Proposed Innovation Center |url=https://www.wgtd.org/news/state-funding-offer-kenoshas-proposed-innovation-center |access-date=February 23, 2021 |agency=WGTD |date=February 22, 2021}}</ref> In December 2020, the city announced a plan for the KIN.<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Kenosha moves forward with Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood |url=https://www.kenosha.org/images/12162020KIN.pdf |website=kenosha.org |access-date=February 23, 2021 |date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> In July 2021, the federal government awarded Kenosha $4.9 million in federal CARES Act funds toward the neighborhood,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Terry |title=Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood project awarded $4.9 million in federal stimulus funds for infrastructure |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/kenosha-innovation-neighborhood-project-awarded-4-9-million-in-federal-stimulus-funds-for-infrastructure/article_bae423e1-b3f9-5bf0-ae75-8b789f438815.html |access-date=July 23, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=July 22, 2021}}</ref> and in November, Mayor John Antaramian announced that Lakeview Technology Academy would relocate to the KIN.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Flores|first=Terry|date=November 10, 2021|title=WATCH NOW: LakeView Technology Academy to make future home in city's proposed Innovation Neighborhood|work=Kenosha News|url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/education/watch-now-lakeview-technology-academy-to-make-future-home-in-citys-proposed-innovation-neighborhood/article_2cbc35eb-b698-57ea-8643-067ecb052ecc.html|access-date=December 7, 2021}}</ref> In March 2022, Evers officially announced $15 million in funding toward the KIN, which is expected to take 8–10 years to be fully completed and will include the collaboration of UW-Parkside, Carthage College, Gateway Technical College, and Herzing University.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Quirmbach |first1=Chuck |title=$15 million awarded to help turn former Chrysler engine site into Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood |url=https://www.wuwm.com/2022-03-04/15-million-awarded-to-help-turn-former-chrysler-engine-site-into-kenosha-innovation-neighborhood |access-date=March 7, 2022 |agency=WUWM |date=March 4, 2022}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==

===Cuisine=== [[File:Mars' Cheese Castle (6929048533).jpg|thumb|Mars Cheese Castle, located along Interstate 94, is a popular tourist destination in Kenosha.]] Kenosha's cuisine mirrors common food culture throughout Wisconsin. It is home to a variety of restaurants including multiple supper clubs and German-American venues.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reddel |first1=Sue |title=The Best Ever Kenosha Food |url=https://foodtravelist.com/the-best-ever-food-and-fun-weekend-in-kenosha-2/ |website=foodtravelist.com |access-date=November 24, 2021}}</ref> Additionally, the city is home to two award-winning drive-in burger stands, The Spot and Big Star.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenosha Drive-ins |url=https://pbswisconsin.org/watch/wisconsin-foodie/kenosha-drive-ins-the-diplomat-chhrjn/ |website=pbswisconsin.org |publisher=PBS}}</ref> Mars Cheese Castle, a "cheese landmark", is also located in Kenosha. The city has the highest concentration of Italian-Americans in Wisconsin, and as such is rife with Italian-American cuisine, including many pizza restaurants and perhaps the most well-known Italian grocery and delicatessen in Wisconsin, Tenuta's.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hansen |first1=Kristine |title=Wisconsin's Own Little Italy |url=http://experiencewisconsinmag.com/wisconsins-own-little-italy/ |access-date=November 24, 2021 |date=October 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=DiRienzo |first1=Daniella |title=Wisconsin's Tenuta's Italian Grocery and Delicatessen Has Hundreds Of Imported Foods And Goods |url=https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wisconsin/italian-grocery-wi/ |website=onlyinyourstate.com |access-date=November 24, 2021 |date=April 26, 2020}}</ref>

In recent years, Kenosha became home to multiple craft breweries, and in 2021 hosted the ''Great Lakes Brew Fest''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Noel |first1=Josh |title=Craft beer comes to life in Kenosha |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-brews-traveler-kenosha-wisconsin-beer-0326-20170310-story.html |access-date=November 24, 2021 |agency=Chicago Tribune |date=March 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Terry |title=Popular craft beer festival leaving Racine Zoo to bring celebration to Kenosha's lakefront |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-popular-craft-beer-festival-leaving-racine-zoo-to-bring-celebration-to-kenoshas-lakefront/article_dde99df1-4499-55a6-b833-fffcd35650f7.html |access-date=November 24, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=July 13, 2021}}</ref>

===Festivals=== Kenosha is home to a number of summer festivals including the Outta Sight Kite Flight,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Snyder |first1=Liz |title=Outta Sight Kite Flight returns to Kenosha for the 18th year |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/get_out/events/outta-sight-kite-flight-returns-to-kenosha-for-the-18th-year/article_5962212e-36e8-52b1-9036-54f35ef94386.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=May 29, 2019}}</ref> Taste of Wisconsin,<ref>{{cite web |title=Taste of Wisconsin |url=https://www.tasteofwi.com/ |website=tasteofwi.com}}</ref> Pike River Rendezvous (a historical reenactment),<ref>{{cite web |title=Pike River Rendezvous|url=https://www.kenosha.org/visitors/events/annual-city-events/13-pike-river-rendezvous |website=kenosha.org |access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> the Kenosha Classic Cruise-In Car Show,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trutschell |first1=Brian |title=Pandemic puts brakes on Labor Day weekend car show in Kenosha |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/pandemic-puts-brakes-on-labor-day-weekend-car-show-in-kenosha/article_d0e02c3c-19c4-5e00-b12f-7f3db0a9a894.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=July 21, 2020}}</ref> Celebrate America (Fourth of July event),<ref>{{cite web |title=Celebrate America on Kenosha's Lakefront |url=https://celebrateamerica.happeningsmag.com/ |website=celebrateamerica.happeningsmag.com |access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> Food Folks & Spokes (a cycling event),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zampanti |first1=Jeffrey |title=Food, Folks & Spokes returns |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/food-folks-spokes-returns/article_643bbde4-88da-5117-88f5-9899aeef146f.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=July 14, 2019}}</ref> Cheese-A-Palooza,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zampanti |first1=Jeffrey |title=Cheese-A-Paloosa offers tasty bites, music; continues Sunday |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/cheese-a-paloosa-offers-tasty-bites-music-continues-sunday/article_f9b16445-299e-5f58-9133-cfd59dc15926.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> and the Border War Beer Fest (brewers from Wisconsin and Illinois competing for best beer).<ref>{{cite web |title=Border War Beer Fest |url=http://borderwarbeerfest.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331084245/http://www.borderwarbeerfest.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |website=borderwarbeerfest.com}}</ref>

Since 2017, Kenosha has been the host of Tribute Island, a three-day music festival located at Simmons Island. It features many of the top tribute bands from the Midwest, over 50 bands in total performing on five stages.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tribute Island |url=https://tributeisland.com/ |website=tributeisland.com |access-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704190309/https://tributeisland.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Libraries=== [[File:Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library.jpg|thumb|Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library, part of the Kenosha Public Library]] The Kenosha Public Library, which is part of the Kenosha County Library System,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kcls.lib.wi.us/ |title=Kenosha County Library System |access-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017044509/http://www.kcls.lib.wi.us/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> operates in five locations throughout the city: Kids@Uptown Lofts, Northside Neighborhood Library, Simmons Neighborhood Library, Southwest Neighborhood Library, and the Uptown Neighborhood Library. Daniel H. Burnham designed the 1900 Beaux-Arts Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/wi/kenosha/state.html|title=National Register of Historic Places - Wisconsin (WI), Kenosha County|website=nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com}}</ref>

===Museums=== Kenosha's four downtown museums, the Kenosha Public Museum, the Civil War Museum and the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, and the Kenosha Historical Center are Smithsonian Institution affiliates.<ref>{{cite web|title=Smithsonian Affiliations|url=https://affiliations.si.edu/AffiliateDetail.Asp?AffiliateID=213|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321013441/http://affiliations.si.edu/AffiliateDetail.Asp?AffiliateID=213|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 21, 2009|website=Smithsonian Affiliates|access-date=June 13, 2016}}</ref>

Completed in 2001, the Kenosha Public Museum is on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Its main exhibit is a prehistoric woolly mammoth skeleton uncovered in western Kenosha in 1992. Cut-marks on its bones indicate that the animals were butchered by humans using stone tools. Carbon dating indicates their age to be 12,500 radiocarbon years old or 14,500 calendar years old, one thousand radiocarbon years earlier than the previously accepted presence of humans in the Americas. The museum also displays other ice age and fine art exhibits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kenosha.org/museum/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030307120309/http://www.kenosha.org/museum/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 7, 2003 |title=Kenosha Public Museum |publisher=Kenosha.org |date=April 30, 2011 |access-date=August 2, 2011 }}</ref> A second permanent exhibit on local ecosystems and the history of museums and science opened in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 26, 2021|title=Kenosha Public Museum Opens New Permanent Exhibit|url=https://www.wlip.com/kenosha-public-museum-opens-new-permanent-exhibit/|access-date=December 7, 2021|website=AM 1050 WLIP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Permanent Exhibits {{!}} Kenosha Public Museum|url=https://museums.kenosha.org/public/exhibits-2/permanent-exhibits/|access-date=December 7, 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207225829/https://museums.kenosha.org/public/exhibits-2/permanent-exhibits/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Kenosha History Center is adjacent to the 1917 city water treatment plant on Simmons Island adjoining the 1866 Kenosha Light Station. It showcases the history of Kenosha from the time of Native American settlements and the first European settlements to the present day. The 1906 Kenosha North Pier Light sits just east.

Kenosha's {{convert|59000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Civil War Museum opened on June 13, 2008. The main exhibit, "The Fiery Trial", opened September 15, 2008. It is a {{convert|15000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} exhibit offering an interactive experience of the role of six Midwestern states before, during, and after the American Civil War.<ref>[http://www.kenosha.org/museum/civilwar.pdf "Hearts Touched by Fire: Museum of the Civil War"] Published by the Kenosha Public Museum {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201141048/http://www.kenosha.org/museum/civilwar.pdf |date=December 1, 2007 }}</ref>

The Dinosaur Discovery Museum, designated a federal repository, opened in August 2006 in the historic Old Post Office adjoining the 56th Street streetcar line at Tenth Avenue, and includes an on-site paleontology laboratory operated through the Carthage College Institute of Paleontology.<ref>Gutsche, Robert Jr. [http://journaltimes.com/news/local/as-racine-s-heritage-museum-faces-closure-kenosha-is-a/article_8ffcc00f-9c4e-56b7-a894-ce779632d437.html "As Racine's Heritage Museum faces closure, Kenosha is a museum boomtown"] ''The Journal Times'', October 27, 2005. Accessed June 13, 2016.</ref>

A maritime museum is located within the restored 1866 Southport Light and Lighthouse Keeper's cottage on Simmons Island.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitkenosha.com/attractions/history-museums/southport-light-station-museum|title=Southport Light Station Museum|publisher=Kenosha Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau|access-date=June 13, 2016}}</ref>

===Music=== Summer band performances have been performed by Kenosha Pops Concert Band at Kenosha's Sesquicentennial Bandshell in Pennoyer Park since 1988.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenosha Pops Concerts |url=https://www.kenosha.org/visitors/events/annual-city-events/12-kenosha-pops-concert |website=kenosha.org |access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> The Music of the Stars radio program originated in Kenosha in 1992.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/pg/MusicOfTheStars/about/?ref=page_internal Official Music Of The Stars Facebook]</ref> The Kenosha Symphony Orchestra performs concerts in the Reuther Central Auditorium at Walter Reuther Central High School in downtown Kenosha.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenosha Symphony Orchestra |url=https://kenoshasymphony.org/ |website=kenoshasymphony.org |access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> Since 2002, the outdoor Peanut Butter and Jam Concert Series has been held every Thursday in July and August at Veterans Memorial Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.happeningsmag.com/kcms/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=10|title=happeningsmag.com – Tiny Content|access-date=July 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928165837/http://www.happeningsmag.com/kcms/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=10|archive-date=September 28, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Lincoln Park Live! concerts began in 2005 at Lincoln Park.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lincoln Park Live concert series opens Sept. 10 |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/get_out/lincoln-park-live-concert-series-opens-sept-10/article_87a8ba0d-64f7-5788-8021-1df73f2379d9.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=October 21, 2019}}</ref> A number of outdoor jazz events are performed throughout the summer such as HarborPark Jazz.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mahone Fund cancels Lincoln Park Live and HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm and Blues |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/mahone-fund-cancels-lincoln-park-live-and-harborpark-jazz-rhythm-and-blues/article_b04c30a2-e962-552e-932f-c067c1eb1d1a.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |agency=Kenosha News |date=June 12, 2020}}</ref>

Bands that have originated in Kenosha include Electric Hellfire Club, Lazarus A.D., Jungle Rot, and Product of Hate.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

==Sports== The city's oldest sporting club, the Kenosha Yacht Club, was established in 1912.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenosha Yacht Club History |url=https://www.kenoshayachtclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=735990&module_id=274588 |website=kenoshayachtclub.com |access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref>

Kenosha was home to the short lived Kenosha Maroons NFL franchise in 1924. They folded after going 0–4–1.<ref>Pro Football Reference. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ken/1924.htm Accessed January 31, 2018</ref> It was also the home of the Kenosha Cardinals, a semi-professional football team between 1937 and 1941<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/05-01-125.pdf|title=Kenosha Cardinals; Life on the Fringe|access-date=June 21, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127051427/http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/05-01-125.pdf|archive-date=November 27, 2010}}</ref> which played at Lake Front Stadium at 58th Street and Third Avenue. Today, Kenosha is home to one semi-professional football team formed in 2007, the Kenosha Cougars.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenosha Cougars |url=https://www.kenoshacougars.org/ |website=kenoshacougars.org |access-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226063029/https://www.kenoshacougars.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> They play in the Northern Lights Football League (NLFL).<ref>{{cite web |title=Teams |url=https://www.northernlightsfootball.com/teams |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919205217/https://www.northernlightsfootball.com/teams |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |website=northernlightsfootball.com |access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref> The Bradford High School Red Devils won a state football championship in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Football – Bradford High School|url=https://www.kusd.edu/bradford/?page_id=553|access-date=December 7, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> The Tremper High School Trojans have won three state championships – in 1979, 1980, and 1991.

Several baseball teams have played at Simmons Field on the city's south side, including the Kenosha Comets, charter members of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League who played in the league from 1943 to 1951. Kenosha was also home to the Frontier League's Kenosha Mammoths in 2003, and the Single-A Kenosha Twins from 1984 to 1992. It is currently home to the Kenosha Kingfish, a collegiate baseball team in the Northwoods League, which played its first game on May 31, 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://northwoodsleague.com/kenosha-kingfish/2014/06/01/kingfish-fall-11-7-in-extra-inning-home-opener/ |title=Kingfish Fall 11–7 In Extra Inning Home Opener |publisher=Northwoodsleague.com |date=June 1, 2014 |access-date=February 19, 2017}}</ref> and in 2015 won their first championship.<ref>{{cite news |author=Terry Flores |title=Rings for the kings |newspaper=Kenosha News |date=May 31, 2016 |url=http://kenoshanews.com/news/rings_for_the_kings_488163486.php |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-date=March 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305013329/http://kenoshanews.com/news/rings_for_the_kings_488163486.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Kenosha&state=WI&country=US&empty=0 Kenosha, Wisconsin Encyclopedia]. Baseball Reference.com. Accessed January 31, 2018.</ref> In 2020, it was also home to the K-Town Bobbers, featured in a 26-game "Kenosha Series" against the Kenosha Kingfish in July 2020 as part of the NWL "Pod" system of play adopted for 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=K-Town Bobbers Aim to Catch Simmons Field Faithful in 2020 |url=https://northwoodsleague.com/kenosha-kingfish/2020/06/30/k-town-bobbers-aim-to-catch-simmons-field-faithful-in-2020/#:~:text=KENOSHA%2C%20Wis.,Team%E2%80%9D%20Contest%20by%20Jacob%20Gunderson. |website=northwoodsleague.com |access-date=February 10, 2021 |date=June 30, 2020}}</ref>

In 2022, Kenosha became the home of the Kenosha United F.C. Premier Arena Soccer League. They play their home games in nearby Sturtevant, Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kenosha United FC to debut for 2022-23 Premier Arena Soccer League season |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/sports/kenosha-united-fc-to-debut-for-2022-23-premier-arena-soccer-league-season/article_8084c5de-ac52-11ec-ad94-fb496fd5d758.html |access-date=March 25, 2022 |agency=Kenosha News |date=March 25, 2022}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation== thumb|Simmons Island Beach from Lake Michigan

Kenosha has {{convert|8|miles}} of Lake Michigan shoreline frontage, nearly all of which is public. The city has 74 municipal parks, totaling {{convert|781.52|acre|km2}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kenosha.org/departments/parks/index.html |title=City of Kenosha website: Parks Department |publisher=Kenosha.org |date=May 16, 2011 |access-date=August 2, 2011}}</ref>

Kenosha's Washington Park includes the oldest operating velodrome in the United States (opened in 1927) at Washington Bowl.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kenosha Spirit of Wisconsin |url=http://www.visitkenosha.com/attractions/recreation-facilities/washington-park-velodrome |title=Washington Park Velodrome |publisher=VisitKenosha.com |access-date=February 19, 2017}}</ref> The Kenosha Velodrome Association sponsors American Track Cycling sanctioned races and training sessions at the "Bowl" throughout the summer. Races are held on Tuesday evenings from mid-May through August. Free seating is available on the inside of the track, and on important race days concessions are available.

thumb|Eichelman Park, along with Wolfenbüttel Park, are located south of Southport Marina.

Library Park is home to a statue of Abraham Lincoln by Charles Henry Niehaus as well as a veterans-memorial statue ("Winged Victory") by the Italian sculptor Decco.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kenoshacvb.com/pdf/KenoshaLibraryPark.pdf |title=Library Park Historic District |access-date=February 6, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713143318/http://www.kenoshacvb.com/pdf/KenoshaLibraryPark.pdf |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref>

Petrifying Springs Park is located on the northside of Kenosha, with parts extending into the neighboring village of Somers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Petrifying Springs Park |url=https://www.visitkenosha.com/listing/petrifying-springs-park/335/ |website=visitkenosha.com |access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> Developed within a northern hardwood forest, the 350-acre park includes hiking trails, an 18-hole golf course,<ref>{{cite web |title=Petrifying Springs Golf |url=https://www.petrifyingspringsgolf.com/ |website=petrifyingspringsgolf.com |access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> and a Biergarten.<ref>{{cite web |title=Petrifying Springs Park |url=https://www.kenoshacounty.org/1652/Petrifying-Springs-Park |website=kenoshacounty.org |access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=PETRIFYING SPRINGS PARK |url=https://www.travelwisconsin.com/county-parks/petrifying-springs-park-204144 |website=travelwisconsin.com |access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref>

Kenosha has been a Tree City USA since 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/treecities.cfm?chosenstate=Wisconsin|title=2014 Tree City USA Communities in Wisconsin|date=June 1, 2015|website=arborday.org|access-date=May 29, 2016}}</ref>

===Beaches=== * Simmons Island Park and Beach, {{convert|28|acre|ha|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Simmons Island Park and Beach |url=https://www.visitkenosha.com/Things-To-Do/Simmons-Island-Beach |website=visitkenosha.com |access-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114124100/https://www.visitkenosha.com/Things-To-Do/Simmons-Island-Beach |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Alford Park and Beach (three sections: North, East, and West), {{convert|57|acre|ha|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Alford Park and Beach |url=https://www.visitkenosha.com/Things-To-Do/Alford-Park-and-Beach |website=visitkenosha.com |access-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref> * Eichelman Park and Beach, {{convert|11|acre|ha|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Eichelman Park and Beach |url=https://www.visitkenosha.com/Things-To-Do/Eichelman-Park-Beach |website=visitkenosha.com |access-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref> * Pennoyer Park and Beach, {{convert|39|acre|ha|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Pennoyer Park and Beach |url=https://www.visitkenosha.com/Things-To-Do/Pennoyer-Park-and-Beach |website=visitkenosha.com |access-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref> * Southport Park and Beach, {{convert|24|acre|ha|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Southport Park and Beach |url=https://www.visitkenosha.com/Things-To-Do/Southport-Beach |website=visitkenosha.com |access-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref>

===Golf=== The Washington Park Golf Course was dedicated on February 18, 1922, and its 1937 English-cottage clubhouse is a city landmark.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20010629051840/http://www.kenosha.org/departments/parks/golf.html Washington Park Golf Course] on the City of Kenosha website</ref> Most recently, new private courses have opened, including The Club at Strawberry Creek.<ref>{{cite web |title=Golf at Strawberry Creek |url=https://www.strawberrycreekclub.com/golf |website=strawberrycreekclub.com |access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref>

===Cycling=== Kenosha's Library Park is the home of Food Folks and Spokes, a festival with food booths, entertainment, and a bicycle race that is the first leg of the Tour of America's Dairyland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kenoshanews.com/insider/food-folks-and-spokes-returning-to-library-park/article_d5b92959-96ab-51d4-a9d7-f31ff0a5888d.html|title=Food, Folks and Spokes returning to Library Park|first=James|last=Lawson|date=May 3, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017}}</ref> It was formerly part of the International Cycling Classic's "Superweek". Kenosha is home to the Washington Park Velodrome, the longest-operating 333-meter track; it opened in 1927.

==Government== ===Mayor=== {{See also|List of mayors of Kenosha, Wisconsin}} Kenosha has an elected mayor, who is the chief executive, and an appointed city administrator, who is the chief operating officer. The mayor is elected every four years. The city's Common Council consists of 17 aldermen from Kenosha's 17 districts (each district having several wards), elected for two-year terms in even-numbered years. The current mayor of Kenosha is David Bogdala, since 2024. He succeeded John Antaramian, the longest-serving chief executive in the city's history, who served as mayor from 1992 to 2008 and from 2016 until 2024.<ref>Bill Guida. "[http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/antaramian-reclaims-kenosha-mayor-s-office/article_2df7ccca-3571-5bca-b05b-d87e2ca06bfd.html Antaramian reclaims Kenosha mayor's office]". ''Kenosha News'', April 6, 2016.</ref>

===Politics=== Kenosha is represented by Bryan Steil (R) in the United States House of Representatives, and by Ron Johnson (R) and Tammy Baldwin (D) in the United States Senate. Robert Wirch (D) represents Kenosha in the Wisconsin State Senate, and Tip McGuire (D) and Ben DeSmidt (D) represent Kenosha in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

==Education== [[File:A.F.Siebert Chapel with Kissing Stone (2070712608).jpg|thumb|Siebert Chapel, Carthage College]]

===Public schools=== The Kenosha Unified School District operates 23 public elementary schools, five middle schools, seven charter schools, and six high schools:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kusd.edu/ |title=Kenosha Unified School District No. 1 |publisher=Kusd.edu |date=July 1, 2011 |access-date=August 2, 2011}}</ref> Mary D. Bradford High School, George Nelson Tremper High School, Indian Trail High School and Academy, LakeView Technology Academy, Reuther Central High School, and Harborside Academy, the latter a research school that uses the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound model; it was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://harborside.kusd.edu/about.html |title=Harborside Academy |publisher=Harborside.kusd.edu |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719225821/http://harborside.kusd.edu/about.html |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Private schools=== Kenosha's private schools include St. Joseph Catholic Academy, All Saints Catholic School, Kenosha Lutheran Academy, Christ Lutheran Academy, Kenosha Montessori School, Shoreland Lutheran High School, and Christian Life School. At the beginning of the 2011–2012 school year, St. Mary's and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii schools became campuses of All Saints Catholic School. Both campuses operate as the same school with the same principal. St. Mark's and St. Joseph High School have also conjoined into Saint Joseph Catholic Academy.

===Higher education=== Kenosha is home to the public University of Wisconsin–Parkside with over 4,000 students,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collegeresults.org/collegeprofile.aspx?institutionid=240374 |title=College Results Online |publisher=Collegeresults.org |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803014838/http://www.collegeresults.org/collegeprofile.aspx?institutionid=240374 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the private Carthage College with over 2,500 students,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collegeresults.org/collegeprofile.aspx?institutionid=238476 |title=College Results Online |publisher=Collegeresults.org |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802230016/http://www.collegeresults.org/collegeprofile.aspx?institutionid=238476 |url-status=dead }}</ref>, and the Kenosha campus of Gateway Technical College. Herzing University also maintains campuses in Kenosha.

==Media== The primary newspaper of Kenosha County is the ''Kenosha News,'' a broadsheet with circulation of around 23,000 copies. Happenings Magazine is an ad-supported entertainment publication distributed at local businesses since 1978. They also publish ''The Smart Reader'', ''Homes Plus'', and other seasonal event-orientated magazines.

Kenosha is considered as part of the Milwaukee television market by A.C. Nielsen. However, due to the huge influx of commuters to Chicago, Charter Spectrum's Kenosha system carries both Chicago and Milwaukee. Arbitron classifies Kenosha as part of the Chicago radio market. Five major radio stations broadcast from Kenosha: WLIP (CBS Radio) 1050 AM, Gateway Technical College's WGTD (91.1 FM), a member station of the Wisconsin Public Radio News & Classical Music Network, rock WIIL (95.1 FM) and classic hits WWDV (96.9 FM), which simulcasts Chicago-based WDRV (97.1 FM). The Kenosha Convention and Visitors Bureau operates WPUR937 (1180 AM), a low-power tourist information station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Kenosha,+WI&x=0&y=0&sid= |title=Radio Stations in Kenosha, Wisconsin |publisher=Radio-locator.com |access-date=August 2, 2011}}</ref>

WPXE (channel 55), the Ion Television owned-and-operated station for the Milwaukee market, is Kenosha's only locally-licensed television station, though in reality it only mentions Kenosha in its legal IDs. Its transmitter is located with the Milwaukee PBS tower on Milwaukee's north side, and its studios are based in suburban Glendale, thus it serves the entire Milwaukee television market. Kenosha is served by several Chicago-based television and radio stations.

==Infrastructure== ===Transportation=== {{See also|Streetcars in Kenosha, Wisconsin}} [[File:DSC 1097 024xRP - Flickr - drewj1946.jpg|thumb|A streetcar passing the Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse]] [[File:Kenosha Station.jpg|thumb|Kenosha station is served by Metra commuter rail to Chicago.]]

According to Walk Score, Kenosha is a largely "car dependent" city, with an overall walk score of 45/100, and has "minimal biking infrastructure", with an overall bike score of 49/100, though its downtown central business district has much higher scores, 84/100 and 72/100, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Living in Kenosha |url=https://www.walkscore.com/WI/Kenosha# |website=walkscore.com |publisher=Walk Score |access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref> Metra, the Chicago metropolitan area commuter rail network, has a line between downtown Chicago and Kenosha. Kenosha Regional Airport (KENW) serves the city and surrounding communities.

Since June 2000, a {{convert|2|mi|adj=on|abbr=out}} streetcar line has served the downtown area and HarborPark, connecting the Metra station with downtown and several area parks. Kenosha is one of the smallest cities in America with any type of streetcar system today.<ref>[http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/travel/midwest/1683908,kenosha-hoekstra-wisconsin-072609.stng Diners, drive-in theater, streetcars and a tiki bar: Wisconsin city offers charm aplenty just 50 miles from Chicago]{{Dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In addition to its streetcar line, Kenosha has a city bus network with eight routes. Kenosha was the first city to color-code transit routes (with the Blue, Green, Red, and Orange Lines), and also the first city to use electric trolley buses in full transit service, both occurring on February 14, 1932.<ref>Canfield, Joseph M. TM: The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company, CERA Bulletin 112. Chicago: Central Electric Railfans' Assoc., 1972</ref>

Major highways in Kenosha include: *{{Jct|state=WI|I|41|I|94|US|41|city1=Milwaukee|location2=Chicago}} *{{jct|state=WI|WI|50}} *{{Jct|state=WI|WI|31|name1=Green Bay Road}} *{{Jct|state=WI|WI|32|name1=Sheridan Road}} *{{Jct|state=WI|WI|158}} *{{Jct|state=WI|WI|165}}

Kenosha has been served by rail service to and from Chicago since May 19, 1855,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/29249494.html |title=Bands of iron |publisher=Jsonline.com |date=February 4, 2007 |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606040906/http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/29249494.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> when the predecessors to the Chicago and North Western Railway, the Milwaukee and Chicago Railway Company (originally the Illinois Parallel Railroad) and the original "Lake Shore Railroad" (later the Green Bay, Milwaukee and Chicago Railway) were officially joined with great ceremony just south of today's 52nd Street. Today, the former C&NW line is operated by the Union Pacific Railroad while the former Milwaukee Road line is operated by the Soo Line Railroad, a division of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Although some Union Pacific North Line trains terminate and originate in Kenosha, most terminate at Waukegan, Illinois, to the south of Kenosha.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_n/cnwn.shtml |title=Metrarail |publisher=Metrarail |access-date=August 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909034255/http://metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_n/cnwn.shtml |archive-date=September 9, 2009 }}</ref>

===Health care=== thumb|Kenosha Hospital's Palmer Recovery Unit

Kenosha has two hospitals: the Froedtert South Kenosha Medical Center Campus downtown and the Aurora Medical Center at the extreme western edge of the city limits. Just outside of the city limits in neighboring Pleasant Prairie is the St. Catherine's Medical Center Campus, which opened in 2002 and has a heart institute named in honor of cardiac surgeon Michael E. DeBakey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uhsi.org/About/History/ |title=History | UHS |publisher=Uhsi.org |access-date=February 19, 2017}}</ref>

===Public safety=== The Kenosha Police Department is responsible for the law enforcement in Kenosha since 1850, and is housed in the Kenosha Public Safety building.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Department |url=https://www.kenosha.org/departments/police/administration/history-of-the-department |website=kenosha.org |access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref> The Kenosha County Courthouse and Jail were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://landmarkhunter.com/123255-kenosha-county-courthouse-and-jail/|title=Kenosha County Courthouse and Jail|publisher=Landmark Hunter.com|access-date=February 24, 2012|archive-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527001757/http://landmarkhunter.com/123255-kenosha-county-courthouse-and-jail/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The jail and a separate facility, the Kenosha County Detention Center (KCDC), are operated by the sheriff's department. The Kenosha Correctional Center, a minimum security state prison, is also located in Kenosha and is under the operation of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

In August 2020, during the Kenosha unrest, a probation and parole building utilized by the Division of Community Corrections was burned down by rioters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Deneen |title=Residents wake to destruction in Uptown; 30 businesses destroyed or damaged |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-residents-wake-to-destruction-in-uptown-30-businesses-destroyed-or-damaged/article_15e64711-9f0f-5390-80f1-e7b59ee781db.html |access-date=December 8, 2020 |publisher=Kenosha News |date=August 25, 2020 |quote=Rioting broke out overnight ..., ... rioting spread into Uptown ...}}</ref>

==Notable people== {{Main|List of people from Kenosha, Wisconsin}}

==Sister cities== Kenosha's sister cities are:<ref>{{cite web |title=Sister Cities|url=https://www.kenosha.org/departments/mayor-administration/sister-cities|website=kenosha.org|publisher=City of Kenosha|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref> * Cosenza, Italy (since 1979) * Douai, France (since 1981) * Quezon City, Philippines (since 1986) * Wolfenbüttel, Germany (since 1970)

==See also== * List of mayors of Kenosha, Wisconsin * Kenosha unrest {{Portal bar|Chicago}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * {{Cite book |last=Dudley |first=Kathryn Marie |year=1994 |title=The End of the Line: Lost Jobs, New Lives in Postindustrial America |location=Chicago |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=0-226-16908-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/endofline00kath_0 }}

==External links== {{Commons category|Kenosha, Wisconsin}} {{wikivoyage|Kenosha}} * {{official website|http://www.kenosha.org}} * [http://www.visitkenosha.com Visit Kenosha] * [http://www.kenoshaareachamber.com/ Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce] * Sanborn fire insurance maps: [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/6254 1886] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/6264 1890] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/6278 1894] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/6298 1900] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/6325 1905] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/6363 1911] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/7867 1918] * {{Cite NSRW|short=x|wstitle=Kenosha, Wis.}}

{{Chicago metropolitan area}} {{Kenosha County, Wisconsin}} {{Wisconsin}} {{Kenosha Maroons}} {{Great Lakes Megalopolis}} {{Wisconsin county seats}} {{Geographic Location |West=Pleasant Prairie |Northwest=Somers |North=Elmwood Park |Northeast=Holland, Michigan |Center=Kenosha |East=Ganges, Michigan |Southwest=Russell, Illinois |South=Winthrop Harbor, Illinois |Southeast=South Haven, Michigan }} {{Authority control}}

Category:Kenosha, Wisconsin Category:Chicago metropolitan area Category:Cities in Kenosha County, Wisconsin Category:Cities in Wisconsin Category:County seats in Wisconsin Category:Wisconsin populated places on Lake Michigan Category:Pre-Clovis archaeological sites in the Americas Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1835