Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
State Wisconsin
City Milwaukee
County1 Milwaukee
City Population (2005)2 556,948 10.4% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 22 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 22 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium High Density
State Capitol City Madison
State Population (2005)2 5,375,751
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Tom Barrett
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 414-286-2200
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, April 8, 2008
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Jim Doyle
State/Governor Website http://www.wisconsin.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 608-266-1212
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.37    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 19.4%    
     Disability Status 17.2% 51  
     Emphysema 1.22% 50  
     Cardiovascular Disease 24.38% 44  
     Diabetes 5.15% 43  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.50% 27  
     Adult Asthma 8.81% 48  
     Adult Obesity 21.9%   38
     People Without Health Insurance 10.0%   4
     Age: Children under 5 years 8.3% 57  
     Age: 65 years and over 9.8% 20  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 27.0% 44  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 21.4% 23  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 54.2% 17  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 12.4% 63  
     Individuals Below Poverty 26.0% 65  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 31.6% 60  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 68.9% 47  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 16.3% 37  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 32.1 (of 51) 39  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 51,579,128 pounds   31
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 62,494,409 pounds 31
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 7,698,062 pounds 34
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 410,834,749 pounds 28
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 461,087,183 pounds 31
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 62.8 grams 34
Number of Superfund Sites in County 2 sites 37  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.580 tons per person 2
Recycling Rate (1997) 36.0% 9
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 5,353,340 tons 27
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.0 tons/person 6
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 1,734,050 tons 19
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 32.4% 14
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 2.6% 24
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 72.4% 41
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -10.0% 26
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.7***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 191,000 tons   30
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 88,900 tons   33
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 48,655,200 tons   31
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 2,200.0 pounds   33
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 9.5 days 44  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 3.8 PM2.5 47  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 13.1 PM2.5 37  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 6.5 days 37  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 1.0 PM2.5 27  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 12.5 PM2.5 32  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 3 ppm 16  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 27 ug/m3 31  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.003 ppm 15  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 9 days 19  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    2.4***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Milwaukee ---  
# of Units in Watershed 108 units 16  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 103 units 11  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 99 units 55  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 96.1% 53  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 4.6% 24  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 31.11 inches 44  
Water Area Total, square miles 11,186 square miles 3  
Water Area Inland, square miles 1,831 square miles 25  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 9,355 square miles 2  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Milwaukee ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 58 years 22  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 125 days 15  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Milwaukee ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 58 years 21  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 47.1 inches 12  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 7,250,000,000 gallons/day 39  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,420,000,000 gallons/day 26  
Ground water, gallons/day 759,000,000 gallons/day 44  
Surface water, gallons/day 6,490,000,000 gallons/day 39  
Irrigation, gallons/day 169,000,000 gallons/day 45  
Public Supply, gallons/day 692,000,000 gallons/day 41  
Industrial, gallons/day 453,000,000 gallons/day 34  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 5,820,000,000 gallons/day 29  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 443,000,000 gallons/day 50  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Milwaukee Waterworks ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 682,332 people 24  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2002 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 24 contaminants 51  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 2 contaminants 14  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 5 contaminants 42  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 49  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 14 contaminants 50  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 43  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 9 contaminants 49  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 29  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 13 contaminants 51  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 48  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 24 contaminants 51  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 131 contaminants 24  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 115 contaminants 20  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 16 contaminants 31  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 4 violations 61  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 4 violations 65  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 6,214.3 people per square mile 19  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 2,594.4 housing units per square mile 20  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 22.5 minutes 31  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 20.5 minutes 23  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 13.6% 32  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 10.3% 19  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 5.0% 21  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 1.7% 66  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 103.6 34  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 86.4 MV registrations   30
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 58.0%   38
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 48.0 MV registrations   29
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.23 MV registrations   35
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 113,270 miles   39
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.474%   34
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 17.9%   29
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.03 miles   37
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 24.37 miles   33
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $1,904,000,000   33
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $16,809 per mile   16
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 52.1%   21
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 13.0 hours per person 9  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $214 per person 10  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $310,000,000 19  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 8 gallons per person 10  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $31,231 62  
Median Household Income (2000) $32,216 59  
Per capita income (2004) $18,119 60  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $16,181 64  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 21.8% 64  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 21.3% 54  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 26.0% 65  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 4.6% 42  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 31.6% 60  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 32,968 people 54  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 8.0% 64  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 12.4% 63  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 6.0% 61  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 9.4% 57  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 25.2% 44  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 24.2% 47  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher Than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.70 per hour 27  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 108,720 kids (2.0% of total pop.) 24  
Largest School District Enrollment 97,985 kids (1.8% of total pop.) 16  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 68.9% 47  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 45.8% 53  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 78.6% 50  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 19.5% 66  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 27% 44  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 229,369 units 25  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 55.6% 13  
Cost of Living: Housing 63.7 21  
Cost of Living: Utilities 126.0 58  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 97.6 21  
Cost of Living: Overall 88.8 25  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 76.73%   2
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 48.70%   2
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 72.70%   14
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 36.7%   11
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 6,212.0 incidents per 100,000 people 35  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 784.8 incidents per 100,000 people 34  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 5,427.2 incidents per 100,000 people 34  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 7,250.6 incidents per 100,000 people 48  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 1.5 parks per square mile 16  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 156.3 park acres per city square mile 1  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 16.1 acres 18  
Parkland as % of City Area 9.8% 19  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $54 per resident 17  
Total City Tree Canopy % 6.9% 40  
Total City Urbanized Area % 86.2% 63  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.50% 27
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.81% 48
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.09% 36
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.22% 50
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 24.38% 44
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.15% 43  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 21.9% 38
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 9.2% 31
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 6.0% 1
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 6.9% 24
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 189.3 20
Cost of Living: Health 97.9 19  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 10.6% 8
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 10.0% 4
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -5.7% 5
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.6% 10
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 8 farms 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 28 markets 14
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 0 restaurants 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 6 grocery stores 5
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 1 other source 45
Cost of Living: Food 100.2 29
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 78.5% 44
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 43.4% 46
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.4    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 3 programs   3
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 20 kW   30
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 20 kW   34
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds Support Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 10%   12
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2015   8
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes5 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Required   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 5.3%   26
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 55 years 15
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 52% 48
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 11.5 mph 6
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 12.6 mph 4
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.7 mph 10
Heating Degree Days 7,324 days 51
Cooling Degree Days 479 days 10
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 38 years 26
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 80% 26
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 65% 57
Elevation, feet 617 feet 43
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 556,948 22 (of 72 in EDN study) 10.4% of state population
City Population (2000) 596,974 19 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 5,375,751 20 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region West ---  
EPA Region 5 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 96.0 square miles 46 0.2% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 54,314 square miles 25  
Watershed Name Milwaukee ---  
Elevation, feet 617 ft. (187.7 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 20.7°F (-6.3°C) 65
Average Daily Temperature - July 72.0°F (22.2°C) 16  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 32.6 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 72.1% 52  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 9.8% 52  
Under 5 years of age 46,123 kids (8.3% of total pop.) 20  
One Race-White % (2005) 44.7% 54  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 55.3% 19  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 14.5% 29  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 16.3% 36  
Largest School District Name Milwaukee ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network