Editing Waukesha County, Wisconsin

{{Short description|County in Wisconsin, United States}}
{{redirect|Waukesha County}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | official_name            = Waukesha County, Wisconsin
 | native_name              = 
 | other_name               = 
 | settlement_type          = [[County (United States)|County]]
 | image_skyline            = Waukesha courthouse.jpg
 | image_size               = 
 | image_caption            = Waukesha County Courthouse
 | image_flag               = Flag of Waukesha County, Wisconsin.png
 | image_seal               = Waukesha County wi seal.png
 | image_map                = Map of Wisconsin highlighting Waukesha County.svg
 | mapsize                  = 300px
 | map_caption              = Map of [[Wisconsin]] showing Waukesha County
 | image_map1               = Map of USA WI.svg
 | mapsize1                 = 300px
 | map_caption1             = Wisconsin's location in the contiguous [[United States]]
 | subdivision_type         = Country
 | subdivision_name         = {{Flagu|United States}}
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Wisconsin}} | motto                    = "Leading the way!"
 | established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | established_date         = 1846
 | seat_type                = [[County seat]]
 | seat                     = [[Waukesha, Wisconsin|Waukesha]]
 | seat1_type               = Largest city
 | seat1                    = Waukesha
 | unit_pref                = US
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 581
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 550
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 31
 | area_rank                = 
 | population_total         = 406978
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_est           = 412591 {{gain}}
 | pop_est_as_of            = 2023
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto 
 | population_rank          = [[List of counties in Wisconsin|3rd]] largest county in Wisconsin
 | population_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Waukesha County, Wisconsin |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/waukeshacountywisconsin/PST045221 |website=www.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 2, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
 | timezone                 = [[Central Standard Time|Central]]
 | utc_offset               = −6
 | timezone_DST             = [[Central Daylight Time|Central]]
 | utc_offset_DST           = −5
 | area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area codes]]
 | area_code                = [[Area code 262|262]], [[Area code 414|414]]
 | geocode                  = 
 | iso_code                 = 
 | website                  = {{URL|www.waukeshacounty.gov}}
 | blank_name_sec1          = Congressional districts
 | blank_info_sec1          = [[Wisconsin's 5th congressional district|5th]]
 | blank_name_sec2          = [[Interstate Highway|Interstates]]
 | blank_info_sec2          = [[File:I-43.svg|27px|link=Interstate 43 in Wisconsin]] [[File:I-94.svg|27px|link=Interstate 94 in Wisconsin]] [[File:I-41.svg|27px|link=Interstate 41 in Wisconsin]]
----
 | blank1_name_sec2         = [[U.S. Routes]]
 | blank1_info_sec2         = [[File:US 18.svg|21px|link = U.S. Route 18 in Wisconsin]] [[File:US 41.svg|21px|link = U.S. Route 41 in Wisconsin]] [[File:US 45.svg|21px|link = U.S. Route 45 in Wisconsin]]
----
 | blank2_name_sec2         = [[State highway|State Routes]]
 | blank2_info_sec2         = [[File:WIS 16.svg|24px|link = Wisconsin Highway 16]] [[File:WIS 36.svg|24px|link = Wisconsin Highway 36]] [[File:WIS 59.svg|24px|link = Wisconsin Highway 59]] [[File:WIS 67.svg|24px|link = Wisconsin Highway 67]]  [[File:WIS 83.svg|24px|link = Wisconsin Highway 83]] [[File:WIS 100.svg|24px|link = Wisconsin Highway 100]] [[File:WIS 145.svg|24px|link=Wisconsin Highway 145]] [[File:WIS 164.svg|24px|link=Wisconsin Highway 164]] [[File:WIS 175.svg|24px|link=Wisconsin Highway 175]] [[File:WIS 190.svg|24px|link=Wisconsin Highway 190]] [[File:WIS 318.svg|24px|link=Wisconsin Highway 318]]
----
 | blank3_name_sec2         = Airports
 | blank3_info_sec2         = [[Waukesha County Airport]] [[Capitol Airport]]
}}
[[File:Waukesha County Wisconsin Sign WIS59.jpg|thumb|right|Waukesha County sign on [[Wisconsin Highway 59|WIS 59]]]]

'''Waukesha County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɔː|k|ɪ|ʃ|ɔː|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Waukesha County.wav}}) is a [[county (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Wisconsin]]. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 406,978, making it the third-most populous county in Wisconsin. Its median income of $88,985 placed it as the only county in Wisconsin on the [[List of highest-income counties in the United States|list of the 100 highest-income counties in the U.S. by median income]] as of 2020.<ref name="QuickFacts">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045221 |website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=September 7, 2022}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Waukesha, Wisconsin|Waukesha]].<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}}</ref>

Waukesha County is included in the [[Milwaukee metropolitan area|Milwaukee metropolitan area]].

==History==
The region was first home to Indigenous tribes like Menomonie, Ojibwe (Chippewa), Potawatomi, and Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), who practiced agriculture and trade. In 1836, Native American tribes formally lost title to the land when treaties were disregarded and were forcibly removed by the Federal Army. Prior to the 1830s, the area was unoccupied by settlers due to its inland location and the fact that the [[Fox River (Illinois River tributary)|Fox River]] was not a water highway. The New England settlers only came to the area to set up fur trading posts between their new encampments and established cities like Milwaukee. Morris D. Cutler and Alonso Cutler, seeking claims for homesteads, were the first permanent white colonial settlers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 21, 2014|title=American Indians in Wisconsin: History|url=https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/minority-health/population/amind-pophistory.htm|access-date=November 29, 2021|website=Wisconsin Department of Health Services|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Waukesha/Pewaukee, Wisconsin: Explorers Meet Our History|url=https://visitwaukesha.org/discover/history/|access-date=November 29, 2021|website=Visit Waukesha}}</ref>

The part of [[Wisconsin]] that Waukesha County occupies was a part of [[Michigan Territory]] when [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee County]] was organized in September 1834.<ref name="summit6">{{cite book |last1=Barquist |first1=Barbara |last2=Barquist |first2=David |editor1-first=Leroy |editor1-last=Haley |title=The Summit of Oconomowoc: 150 Years of Summit Town |year=1987 |publisher=Summit History Group |page=6 |chapter=The Beginning }}</ref> On July 4, 1836, the [[Wisconsin Territory]] was formed, which included land that is now in the state of [[Minnesota]].<ref name="summit6" /> In January 1846, part of Milwaukee County was split off into Waukesha County.<ref name="summit7">{{cite book |last1=Barquist |first1=Barbara |last2=Barquist |first2=David |editor1-first=Leroy |editor1-last=Haley |title=The Summit of Oconomowoc: 150 Years of Summit Town |year=1987 |publisher=Summit History Group |page=7 |chapter=The Beginning }}</ref><ref name="summit37">{{cite book |last1=Barquist |first1=Barbara |last2=Barquist |first2=David |editor1-first=Leroy |editor1-last=Haley |title=The Summit of Oconomowoc: 150 Years of Summit Town |year=1987 |publisher=Summit History Group |page=37 |chapter=The Early Years }}</ref> Curtis Reed was the first county chairman.<ref name="summit7" /> When a vote decided the county seat, [[Waukesha, Wisconsin|Waukesha]] defeated [[Pewaukee, Wisconsin|Pewaukee]] by two votes.<ref name="summit7" /> The name is derived from the [[Potawatomi]] word for 'fox' because the streams in the lower part of the county drain into the [[Fox River (Illinois River tributary)|Fox River]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Winnebago Took Its Name from an Indian Tribe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/915335/wisconsin_county_names/|newspaper=The Post-Crescent|date=December 28, 1963|page=14|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=August 25, 2014}} {{Open access}}</ref>

Waukesha was a [[New England]] settlement, and Waukesha's founders were settlers from [[New England]], particularly [[Connecticut]], rural [[Massachusetts]], [[Vermont]], [[New Hampshire]] and [[Maine]], as well as from [[upstate New York]] who were born to parents who had migrated there from [[New England]] shortly after the American Revolution. These people were "[[Yankee]]s" descended from the [[English American|English]] [[Puritans]] who settled [[New England]] in the 1600s. They were part of a wave of [[New England]] farmers who headed west into what was the wilds of the [[Northwest Territory]] during the early 1800s. Most arrived as a result of the completion of the [[Erie Canal]] as well as the end of the [[Black Hawk War]].

The [[English American|New Englanders]] built farms, roads, government buildings and established post routes. They brought many of their [[Yankee]] [[New England]] values, such as a passion for education that led to the establishment of many schools as well as staunch support for abolitionism. They were mostly members of the [[Congregationalist Church]], though some were [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopalian]]. Due to the [[second Great Awakening]] some converted to [[Methodism]], and others became [[Baptists]] before moving to what is now Waukesha County. Waukesha, like much of [[Wisconsin]], would be culturally very continuous with early [[New England]] culture for most of its early history, before the state received a substantial influx of [[German Americans|German]] immigrants in the latter half of the 19th century.<ref>''The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development and Resources; an Extensive and Minute Sketch of Its Cities, Towns and Villages&mdash;their Improvements, Industries, Manufactories, Churches, Schools and Societies; Its War Record, Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Prominent Men and Early Settlers; the Whole Preceded by a History of Wisconsin, Statistics of the State, and an Abstract of Its Laws and Constitution and of the Constitution of the United States Western Historical Company'', 1880 pages 173, 232, 233</ref>

Waukesha County is growing faster than the rest of Wisconsin. In the early 20th century, Waukesha County only contained about 2% of Wisconsin's population. By the year 2000, about 7% of Wisconsin's population was in Waukesha County, and the percentage has grown since.

In 2024, ''[[Waukeshaaspis]]'', a prehistoric genus of [[trilobite]], was named after the county.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Randolfe |first=Enrique Alberto |last2=Gass |first2=Kenneth C. |date=2024-11-13 |title=Waukeshaaspis eatonae n. gen. n. sp.: a specialized dalmanitid (Trilobita) from the Telychian of southeastern Wisconsin |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-paleontology/article/waukeshaaspis-eatonae-n-gen-n-sp-a-specialized-dalmanitid-trilobita-from-the-telychian-of-southeastern-wisconsin/C7D133BB3879FB78FD3D2E1CB2C238E1 |journal=Journal of Paleontology |language=en |pages=1–9 |doi=10.1017/jpa.2024.32 |issn=0022-3360}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|581|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|550|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|31|sqmi}} (5.3%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_55.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 9, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> The [[Fox River (Illinois River tributary)|Fox River]] runs through it.

Waukesha County is located to the west of Milwaukee and its suburban development was spurred by the construction of [[Interstate 94 in Wisconsin]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Driving on the Right: America's Polarized Transportation Policies |url=https://www.governing.com/now/driving-on-the-right-americas-polarized-transportation-policy |access-date=January 14, 2023 |website=Governing |language=en}}</ref>

===Lake country===
Because of its large number of lakes, the northwestern corner of Waukesha County is referred to as "Lake Country" by local residents. It includes [[Pewaukee, Wisconsin|Pewaukee]], [[Delafield, Wisconsin|Delafield]], [[Hartland, Wisconsin|Hartland]], [[Merton, Wisconsin|Merton]], [[Nashotah, Wisconsin|Nashotah]], [[Chenequa, Wisconsin|Chenequa]], [[Okauchee Lake, Wisconsin|Okauchee Lake]], [[Oconomowoc, Wisconsin|Oconomowoc]], [[Summit, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Summit]], and [[Lac La Belle, Wisconsin|Lac La Belle]].

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Washington County, Wisconsin|Washington County]] – north
* [[Ozaukee County, Wisconsin|Ozaukee County]] – northeast
* [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee County]] – east
* [[Racine County, Wisconsin|Racine County]] – southeast
* [[Walworth County, Wisconsin|Walworth County]] – southwest
* [[Jefferson County, Wisconsin|Jefferson County]] – west
* [[Dodge County, Wisconsin|Dodge County]] – northwest

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 19258
|1860= 26831
|1870= 28274
|1880= 28957
|1890= 33270
|1900= 35229
|1910= 37100
|1920= 42612
|1930= 52358
|1940= 62744
|1950= 85901
|1960= 158249
|1970= 231365
|1980= 280326
|1990= 304715
|2000= 360767
|2010= 389891
|2020= 406978
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wi190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/55/55133.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 24, 2014|archive-date=August 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806012405/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/55/55133.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|census of 2020]],<ref name="2020-census-55133">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Waukesha County, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US55133&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 2, 2022}}</ref> the population was 406,978. The [[population density]] was {{convert|740.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 172,177 housing units at an average density of {{convert|313.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units}}. The racial makeup of the county was 87.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.7% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.5% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 5.7% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 5.4% [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

Its 2020 median income was $88,985. This ranked [[List of highest-income counties in the United States|97th in the nation]].<ref name="QuickFacts"/>

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 389,891 people, 152,663 households, and 108,810 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|672|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 160,864 housing units at an average density of {{convert|277|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the county was 93.3% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.0003% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 4.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
Of the 152,663 households 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 23.8% of households were one person and 10.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.

The age distribution was 24.1% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

{{Stack|[[File:USA Waukesha County, Wisconsin age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|2000 Census age pyramid for Waukesha County]]}}

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 360,767 people, 135,229 households, and 100,475 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|649|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 140,309 housing units at an average density of {{convert|252|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the county was 95.77% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.87% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 2.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 44.5% were of [[German people|German]], 9.2% [[Polish people|Polish]], 7.5% [[Italian people|Italian]], and 7.7% [[Irish people|Irish]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]]. 94.3% spoke [[English language|English]], 2.2% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and 1.2% [[German language|German]] as their first language.<ref name="GR8" />
Of the 135,229 households 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 20.90% of households were one person and 8.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 26.30% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median household income was $62,839 and the median family income was $71,773 (these figures had risen to $71,907 and $85,116 respectively as of a 2007 estimate<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=05000US55089&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US55%7C05000US55089&_street=&_county=waukesha+county&_cityTown=waukesha+county&_state=04000US55&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=050&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= |title=Waukesha County, Wisconsin – Fact Sheet – American FactFinder |publisher=Factfinder.census.gov |access-date=July 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211181005/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=05000US55089&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US55%7C05000US55089&_street=&_county=waukesha+county&_cityTown=waukesha+county&_state=04000US55&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=050&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry= |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>). Males had a median income of $49,232 versus $31,643 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,164. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
{{clear left}}

==Government==
===Elected officials===
* [[County Executive]]: [[Paul Farrow]]
* [[County Board Chair]]: Paul Decker
* [[County Clerk]]: Meg Wartman
* [[Treasurer]]: Pamela F. Reeves (R)
* [[Register of Deeds]]: James Behrend (R)
* [[Clerk of Circuit Court]]: Kathy Madden (R)
* [[District Attorney]]: Lesli Boese (R)
* [[Sheriff]]: Eric Severson (R)

===Departments===
There are 12 departments in Waukesha County, with most located in the Administration Center.
* '''Administration'''
The Department of Administration has five divisions that provide administrative services to the county: the finance division, the [[human resources]] division, the [[information technology]] division, the [[purchasing]] and [[risk management]] division, and the administrative services division.
* '''Aging and Disability Resource Center'''
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Waukesha County (ADRC) provides information, assistance, counseling and supportive services regarding adults age 60 and above, adults with physical or developmental disabilities; and adults with mental health or substance abuse concerns. It also provides publicly funded long-term care to county residents.<ref>Mission Statement from {{cite web |url=http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/page.aspx?SetupMetaId=336&id=94 |title=Waukesha County |access-date=May 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522130133/http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/page.aspx?SetupMetaId=336&id=94 |archive-date=May 22, 2008 }}</ref>
* '''Airport'''
The [[Waukesha County Airport]] serves commercial and private aircraft and is supervised by the Airport Commission.
* '''Corporation Counsel'''
* '''Emergency Preparedness'''
The Department of Emergency Preparedness encompasses Waukesha County Communications, providing 9-1-1 dispatch services to the majority of the county, Waukesha County Emergency Management, and Waukesha County Radio Services, providing technical and maintenance support to the countywide trunked radio system (OASIS) and 9-1-1 centers.
* '''[[Bridges Library System]]'''
The Bridges Library System works in partnership with 16 public libraries in Waukesha County to cooperatively provide library services. This includes the purchase of shared electronic databases, summer library programming, and circulation services. Bridges also oversees Internet access for member libraries.
* '''Health and Human Services'''
* '''Medical Examiner'''
The [[Coroner|Medical Examiner]] investigates suspicious or unexplained deaths or deaths that result from a homicide, suicide, or accident. The office also generates statistics for the county.
* '''Parks and Land Use'''
The Department of Parks and Land Use (PLU), oversees six divisions that design and maintain county parks. The division also works with state and federal agencies. The planning division administers permits for construction and landscaping activities. The land conservation division works to educate on and regulate soil and water issues. Most programs look to control water runoff and soil erosion. The recycling and solid waste division oversees recycling and disposal programs. It also performs educational outreach on topics such as composting and waste reduction. The official mascot of the recycling division is Recycle Raccoon. The environmental health division oversees animal welfare issues, food safety, and air, water and sewage, and safety issues (such as radon testing, well testing, and septic system monitoring). The land information systems division coordinates databases of information relating to land use and development.
* '''Public Works'''
* '''Sheriff'''
* '''University of Wisconsin Extension'''
The [[University of Wisconsin-Extension]] is a partnership with Waukesha County and brings the research of the [[UW System]] to families, businesses, governments, and organizations through educational outreach programs. The UW-Extension office also houses 180° Juvenile Diversion, a non-profit organization that rehabilitates first-time young offenders in Waukesha County.
* '''Veterans'''

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Waukesha County, Wisconsin|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|162,768|108,478|4,541|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|159,649|103,906|4,441|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|142,543|79,224|15,826|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|162,798|78,779|2,279|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|145,152|85,339|2,406|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|154,926|73,626|1,811|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|133,105|64,319|6,310|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|91,729|57,354|16,389|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|91,461|50,270|37,451|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|90,467|57,598|828|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|92,426|47,313|921|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|81,059|46,612|11,477|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|70,418|47,487|3,048|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|59,399|34,573|3,650|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|47,557|31,947|7,000|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|35,502|39,796|131|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|39,380|28,963|76|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|35,212|15,496|376|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|30,238|15,756|117|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|17,324|13,952|674|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|17,995|13,038|293|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|16,726|12,859|358|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|8,921|14,982|1,291|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|8,538|13,487|584|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|12,218|7,846|247|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|7,026|1,965|6,468|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|8,665|2,759|673|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|3,768|4,192|375|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|2,714|3,594|1,055|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|4,758|3,206|546|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|5,247|2,693|438|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|5,127|3,016|275|Wisconsin}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|5,411|3,192|277|Wisconsin}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|3,600|3,635|337|Wisconsin}}Waukesha County is the largest [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]-leaning county in Wisconsin and has been one of the most Republican suburban counties in the nation for many years. It is one of the [[WOW counties]], which share similar traits in suburban [[Milwaukee]]. Although the county's Republican lean has somewhat lessened since the 2010s, the county is still a Republican stronghold.

It has not supported a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] for president since 1964, and has only supported a Democrat four other times since 1892. While other non-[[Southern United States|Southern]] suburban counties have moved towards Democrats since the 1990s, Waukesha and the other WOW counties have continued to vote solidly Republican.<ref name="Upshot">{{cite news|last=Cohn|first=Nate|title=The Curious Case of Milwaukee's Suburban Voters|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/07/upshot/the-curious-case-of-milwaukees-suburban-voters.html?rref=upshot|access-date=May 7, 2014|newspaper=New York Times|date=May 6, 2014}}</ref> Underlining this, [[Lyndon Johnson]]'s narrow win in 1964 is the last time that a Democratic presidential candidate has even garnered 40 percent of the county's vote, though [[Jimmy Carter]], [[Michael Dukakis]], [[Joe Biden]], and [[Kamala Harris]] came close. In 2008, [[John McCain]] carried the county by a 25.7% margin over [[Barack Obama]], when Obama won Wisconsin by 13.9% over McCain.<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/index.html 2008 U.S. Presidential Election Results]</ref> In 2024, [[Kamala Harris]] became the first Democrat since [[1976 United States presidential election in Wisconsin|1976]] to lose the county by less than 20 percentage points.

=== 2011 Supreme Court election ===
The initial unofficial statewide tally in the [[2011 Wisconsin Supreme Court election]] had [[Democratic Party (U.S.)|Democratic]] challenger [[JoAnne Kloppenburg]] defeating incumbent justice [[David Prosser Jr.|David Prosser]] by a 204-vote margin. On the Thursday after the election, Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus reported, among other smaller errors, a failure to report votes in the Waukesha city of [[Brookfield, Wisconsin|Brookfield]]. The newly reported votes gave Prosser the lead, and he retained his seat.<ref name="2011Elec">{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Jason |last2=Walker |first2=Laurel |last3=Glauber |first3=Bill |date=April 7, 2011 |title=Corrected Brookfield tally puts Prosser ahead after 7,500-vote gain |work=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel |url=http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119410124.html |access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref> Media reports stemming from this incident referred to the county as "crucial Waukesha County," and the phrase has continued to be widely used in U.S. political media as an in-joke, despite the county being a [[Republican Party (U.S.)|Republican]] stronghold.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gallitz |first1=Sean |date=April 5, 2016 |title=The Wisconsin county that could stop Donald Trump |work=CBS News |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-wisconsin-county-that-could-stop-trump/ |access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kondik |first1=Kyle |date=May 5, 2014 |title=10 Maps That Explain the 2014 Midterms |work=POLITICO |url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/10-maps-that-explain-the-2014-midterms-106347 |access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gehrke |first1=Joel |date=February 20, 2015 |title=Ron Johnson, Ready Already for 2016 |work=National Review |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/article/414118/ron-johnson-ready-already-2016-joel-gehrke |access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref>

==Communities==

===Cities===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Brookfield, Wisconsin|Brookfield]]
* [[Delafield, Wisconsin|Delafield]]
* [[Milwaukee]] (mostly in [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee County]] and [[Washington County, Wisconsin|Washington County]])
* [[Muskego, Wisconsin|Muskego]] (town until 1964)
* [[New Berlin, Wisconsin|New Berlin]] (town until 1959)
* [[Oconomowoc, Wisconsin|Oconomowoc]]
* [[Pewaukee, Wisconsin|Pewaukee]] (town until 1999)
* [[Waukesha, Wisconsin|Waukesha]] (county seat)
{{div col end}}

===Villages===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Big Bend, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Big Bend]]
* [[Butler, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Butler]]
* [[Chenequa, Wisconsin|Chenequa]]
* [[Dousman, Wisconsin|Dousman]]
* [[Eagle, Wisconsin|Eagle]]
* [[Elm Grove, Wisconsin|Elm Grove]]
* [[Hartland, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Hartland]]
* [[Lac La Belle, Wisconsin|Lac La Belle]] (partly in [[Jefferson County, Wisconsin|Jefferson County]])
* [[Lannon, Wisconsin|Lannon]]
* [[Lisbon, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Lisbon]] (town until 2023)
* [[Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin|Menomonee Falls]]
* [[Merton (village), Wisconsin|Merton]]
* [[Mukwonago, Wisconsin|Mukwonago]] (partly in [[Walworth County, Wisconsin|Walworth County]])
* [[Nashotah, Wisconsin|Nashotah]]
* [[North Prairie, Wisconsin|North Prairie]]
* [[Oconomowoc Lake, Wisconsin|Oconomowoc Lake]]
* [[Pewaukee (village), Wisconsin|Pewaukee]]
* [[Summit, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Summit]] (town until 2010)
* [[Sussex, Wisconsin|Sussex]]
* [[Vernon, Wisconsin|Vernon]] (town until 2020)
* [[Wales, Wisconsin|Wales]]
* [[Waukesha (village), Wisconsin|Waukesha]] (town until 2020)
{{div col end}}

===Towns===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Brookfield (town), Wisconsin|Brookfield]]
* [[Delafield (town), Wisconsin|Delafield]]
* [[Eagle (town), Wisconsin|Eagle]]
* [[Genesee, Wisconsin|Genesee]]
* [[Menomonee, Wisconsin|Menomonee]] (former)
* [[Merton, Wisconsin|Merton]]
* [[Mukwonago (town), Wisconsin|Mukwonago]]
* [[Oconomowoc (town), Wisconsin|Oconomowoc]]
* [[Ottawa, Wisconsin|Ottawa]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[North Lake, Wisconsin|North Lake]]
* [[Okauchee Lake, Wisconsin|Okauchee Lake]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Bethesda, Wisconsin|Bethesda]]
* [[Buena Vista, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Buena Vista]]
* [[Camp Whitcomb, Wisconsin|Camp Whitcomb]]
* [[Colgate, Wisconsin|Colgate]] (partly in Washington County)
* [[Eagleville, Wisconsin|Eagleville]]
* [[Genesee (community), Wisconsin|Genesee]]
* [[Genesee Depot, Wisconsin|Genesee Depot]]
* [[Goerke's Corners, Wisconsin|Goerke's Corners]]
* [[Guthrie, Wisconsin|Guthrie]]
* [[Jericho, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Jericho]]
* [[Lake Five, Wisconsin|Lake Five]] (partly in Washington County)
* [[Mapleton, Wisconsin|Mapleton]]
* [[Monches, Wisconsin|Monches]]
* [[Monterey, Wisconsin|Monterey]]
* [[Ottawa (community), Wisconsin|Ottawa]]
* [[Saylesville, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Saylesville]]
* [[Stone Bank, Wisconsin|Stone Bank]]
* [[Summit Center, Wisconsin|Summit Center]]
* [[Summit Corners, Wisconsin|Summit Corners]]
* [[Vernon (community), Wisconsin|Vernon]]
* [[Waterville, Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Waterville]]
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns/neighborhoods===
* [[Calhoun, Wisconsin|Calhoun]]
* [[Dodges Corners, Wisconsin|Dodges Corners]]
* [[DeNoon, Wisconsin|DeNoon]]
* [[Duplainville, Wisconsin|Duplainville]]
* [[Muskego Settlement, Wisconsin|Muskego Settlement]]
* [[New Upsala, Wisconsin|New Upsala]]

:'''Note''' – for zoning purposes, a single acre of Waukesha County was [[Municipal annexation in the United States|annexed]] by the city of Milwaukee in 2003 to accommodate the Ambrosia Chocolate Factory.<ref>Mike Mulvey. "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19910518&id=-JZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xxIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6683,5518066&hl=en Colleges squaring off over taxes]"{{dead link|date=November 2021}}. ''Milwaukee Sentinel'', May 18, 1991, part 1, p. 6.</ref>

==Climate==
{|
|-
|{{climate chart
|  Waukesha County
| -14| -6| 102
| -12| -4| 96
| -5| 5| 69
| 3| 18| 160
| 9| 23| 102
| 14| 25| 148
| 17| 27| 95
| 17| 26| 105
| 13| 22| 70
| 5| 15| 95
| -1| 8| 66
| -11| -2| 79
|float=left
|clear=left
|source = <ref name = "nasa">{{Cite web|url= http://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/dataset_index.php|title= NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index|access-date= January 30, 2016|publisher= NASA|archive-date= April 7, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190407091601/https://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/dataset_index.php|url-status= dead}}</ref>
}}
|}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55133_waukesha/DC20SD_C55133.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55133_waukesha/DC20SD_C55133.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Waukesha County, WI|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 31, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st55_wi/schooldistrict_maps/c55133_waukesha/DC20SD_C55133_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

K-12:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Elmbrook School District]]
* [[Hamilton School District]]
* [[Kettle Moraine School District]]
* [[Menomonee Falls School District]]
* [[Mukwonago School District]]
* [[Muskego-Norway School District]]
* [[New Berlin School District]]
* [[Norris School District (Wisconsin)|Norris School District]]
* [[Oconomowoc Area School District]]
* [[Palmyra-Eagle Area School District]]
* [[Pewaukee School District]]
* [[Waukesha School District]]
* [[West Allis School District]]
{{div col end}}

Secondary:
* [[Arrowhead Union High School District]]
* [[Waterford Union High School District]]

Elementary:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Hartland-Lakeside Joint No. 3 School District]]
* [[Lake Country School District]]
* [[Merton Community School District]]
* [[North Lake School District (Wisconsin)|North Lake School District]]
* [[Richmond School District (Wisconsin)|Richmond School District]]
* [[Stone Bank School District]]
* [[Swallow School District]]
* [[Washington-Caldwell School District]]
{{div col end}}

==Transportation==
===Railroads===
*[[Canadian National]]
*[[Canadian Pacific]]
*[[Union Pacific]]
*[[Wisconsin and Southern Railroad]]

===Buses===
*[[Waukesha Metro Transit]]

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Waukesha County, Wisconsin]]
* [[Waukesha County gangsters]]
* [[Waukesha County Park System]]
* [[Waukesha, Wisconsin]]
* [[Waukesha (village), Wisconsin]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Haight, Theron W. (ed.) ''[http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/wch/id/46472/rec/1 Memoirs of Waukesha County]''. Madison: Western Historical Association, 1907.
* ''[https://archive.org/stream/cu31924028871627#page/n5/mode/2up The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin]''. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880.
* ''[http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/wch/id/47369/rec/2 Portrait and Biographical Record of Waukesha County, Wisconsin]''. Chicago: Excelsior Publishing Co. 1894.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Waukesha County, Wisconsin}}
* [http://www.waukeshacounty.gov Official government website]
* [https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/travel/road/hwy-maps/county-maps/waukesha.pdf Waukesha County map] from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
 
{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Waukesha County, Wisconsin
|North     = [[Washington County, Wisconsin|Washington County]]
|Northeast = [[Ozaukee County, Wisconsin|Ozaukee County]]
|East      = [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee County]]
|Southeast = [[Racine County, Wisconsin|Racine County]]
|South     = [[Kenosha County]]
|Southwest = [[Walworth County, Wisconsin|Walworth County]]
|West      = [[Jefferson County, Wisconsin|Jefferson County]]
|Northwest = [[Dodge County, Wisconsin|Dodge County]]
}}

{{Waukesha County, Wisconsin}}

{{Milwaukee Metropolitan Area}}

{{Wisconsin}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|43.02|-88.31|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WI_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Wisconsin counties]]
[[Category:Waukesha County, Wisconsin| ]]
[[Category:1846 establishments in Wisconsin Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1846]]