Kenosha

Kenosha is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located in the southeastern part of the state on the shore of Lake Michigan and near the Illinois border. It is the county seat of Kenosha County and part of the Milwaukee–Chicago metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, Kenosha had about 100,000 residents, while Kenosha County had roughly 170,000. The city was founded in the early 1830s and developed as a manufacturing and trading center, growing with the arrival of railways and industrial firms in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today it maintains a diverse economy anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, education, and services, with several historic neighborhoods, a waterfront harbor, and a revived downtown.

Kenosha hosts Carthage College, a private liberal arts college founded in the 19th century, and is near the University of Wisconsin–Parkside in nearby Somers. Public transportation includes an Amtrak station on the Chicago–Milwaukee corridor, and access to Interstate 94 and regional highways. The city’s waterfront and parks, plus a mixture of cultural venues, support tourism and local recreation.

In 2020, Kenosha attracted national attention after the police shooting of Jacob Blake and the ensuing protests and unrest; the event prompted national discussions about policing and community relations and led to widespread media coverage. The city continues to work on urban development, housing, and infrastructure improvements while seeking to preserve its historic character and harbor economy.