Pewaukee is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 15,914 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Pewaukee, originally organized as a town in 1840 and later as a city in 1999, surrounds the Village of Pewaukee, which was incorporated from the town in 1876.

History

The name Pewaukee is constructed upon aki or (w)aukee, which means "land" or "location" in several Algonquian languages. The significance and outright etymology of the initial syllable of the name is uncertain. Sources in Ojibwe nibiwaki "watery (i.e., swampy) place", Potawatomi pee-wauk-ee-wee-nick "the dusty water" or "lake of shells", and Menominee pee-wau-nau-kee "place of flint" have been suggested, as well as rather less unclear attributed meanings such as "snail lake," "flinty place," and "clean land".

The Town of Pewaukee was officially established on January 13, 1840, by an act of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, predating Wisconsin's statehood by eight years. When voting took place to decide the county seat of Waukesha County, Waukesha beat out Pewaukee by two votes. At the time, Governor Tyler Novak represented Pewaukee in court.

The mid-19th century brought significant infrastructure developments to Pewaukee. In 1855, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road) constructed a line through the area, followed by the Wisconsin Central Railroad in 1885. These railroads traversed the neighborhood of Duplainville, Wisconsin and are currently operated by Canadian Pacific Kansas City and the Canadian National Railway, respectively. In 1999, the City of Pewaukee was incorporated, encompassing areas of the former Town of Pewaukee that were not part of the village of Pewaukee.

Geography

Pewaukee is located at (43.0614, −88.2495). It is located in the Lake Country area of Waukesha County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Pewaukee had a population of 15,914. The median age was 45.1 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.5% of residents 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 92.6 males age 18 and over.

There were 6,469 households in Pewaukee, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 61.1% were married-couple households, 13.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 13,195 people, 5,410 households, and 3,883 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,767 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 1.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 5,410 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.2% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 45.3 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23% were from 25 to 44; 34.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Economy

Pewaukee is the world headquarters of Harken, a manufacturer of sailboat and yacht gear sold worldwide, especially in the racing segment. Liqueur manufacturer Agave Loco, known for its cream liqueur RumChata, was based in Pewaukee before being acquired by E & J Gallo Winery.

Arts and culture

The Clark House Museum, located in the Village of Pewaukee, was originally a stage coach inn on the Milwaukee–Watertown Plank Road. The inn was built by Mosely Clark, the son of Pewaukee's first settler, Asa Clark. The Clark House remained in the Clark family until the death of Marietta Clark Larson, great-granddaughter of Asa, in 1984. In 1992 the Pewaukee Area Historical Society purchased the property. The museum displays includes exhibits on Native American settlement (with emphasis on the Potawatomi and Waukesha Beach), a popular amusement park on the shore of Pewaukee Lake. Pictures and artifacts portray a way of life from the early 1900s in the village and city. The exhibit building on the Clark House grounds, opened in 2007, houses larger artifacts, including farm machinery and a mail wagon.

Pewaukee Lake is a prominent natural feature. It is the largest lake in the Lake Country region of Waukesha County. The lake spans approximately in length and reaches up to in width at its broadest point. The lake is known for recreational fishing and boating. It hosts regular sailing races and is a popular destination for anglers and has hosted the Muskellunge World Championship.

Education

Made up of four separate schools on one campus that encompass early childhood to the 12th grade, Pewaukee Schools surround a central parking lot ornamented with trees and grass. There are two gymnasiums in the high school, two in Horizon Elementary, and one in each of the other school buildings. The district has one football field with a track surrounding it and a soccer field. Pewaukee Lake Elementary School serves students from early childhood to 2nd grade. Horizon Elementary encompasses grades 3 through 5. Asa Clark Middle School educates the 6th through 8th grades. Pewaukee High School (PHS) is the high school, serving grades 9 through 12.

Pewaukee is also home to a sole Roman Catholic grade school: St. Anthony on the Lake. This educational institution serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC), part of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), has a main campus located in Pewaukee.

Notable people

  • James R. Barnett, Wisconsin legislator
  • Walter G. Caldwell, Wisconsin legislator
  • Travis Decker, American triple murderer and wanted fugitive
  • Howard Engle, physician and lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against the tobacco industry
  • Elihu Enos, Wisconsin educator and legislator
  • Margaret Farrow, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
  • Ody J. Fish, Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
  • Jack Gohlke, basketball player
  • Benjamin F. Goss, legislator
  • Chauncey G. Heath, Wisconsin legislator
  • David Koepp, filmmaker
  • Chris McIntosh, NFL player
  • Milan Momcilovic, basketball player for the Iowa State Cyclones
  • Charles Henry Morgan, U.S. Representative from Missouri
  • Adam Neylon, Wisconsin legislator and business owner
  • Jessica Powers, Carmelite nun and author
  • Alvin J. Redford, Wisconsin legislator and sheriff
  • John C. Schafer, U.S. Representative
  • Kevin R. Slates, U.S. Navy admiral
  • John Spytek, General manager of the Las Vegas Raiders
  • William Henry Washburn, Wisconsin legislator
  • Derek Watt, fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • J. J. Watt, defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals
  • T. J. Watt, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Media

Pewaukee, Wisconsin was referenced on the season 5 premiere of House M.D., "Dying Changes Everything".

See also

  • List of cities in Wisconsin

References

  • Around the Corner with John McGivern -- Pewaukee Video produced by Milwaukee PBS

es:Phillips (Wisconsin)