Kenosha County
Kenosha County is the region's flourishing gateway to the Chicago metropolitan market. Its high quality of living, affordable land and easy access to Milwaukee and Chicago make it a magnet for both residents and businesses. It was ranked as part of one of the “hottest” mid-size urban areas in the nation by Inc. magazine.
Its location is ideal. Milwaukee is just 30 minutes to the north. Chicago is just 60 minutes to the south and easily accessible by both car and commuter train. The county's eastern edge overlooks majestic Lake Michigan; the western half is dotted with inland lake communities that spill into the popular Lake Geneva tourism area.
Because of low land costs and access to labor, several major business parks are located along I-94 just north of the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. Major employers in the area include Snap-on, Jockey International and Abbott Laboratories, located in Abbott Park, Illinois.
Kenosha, the largest city and county seat, is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and offers a variety of recreational and cultural activities, including the Kenosha Public Museum, the Harbor Marketplace, the Kenosha History Center, the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, Bristol Renaissance Faire and the new Kenosha Civil War Museum.
Read an OnMilwaukee.com profile of Kenosha County that highlights its unique attractions and appeal.
Economic Development Information:
The Kenosha Area Business Alliance, Inc. - www.kaba.org
Visitor Information:
Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - www.kenoshacvb.com
Kenosha County at A Glance
Population (2013 Est.) | 167,757 |
Population Change 2000-2013 | +12.2% |
Labor Force (2013) | 88,659 |
Unemployment Rate (2013) | 7.9% |
Per Capita Personal Income (2013) | $38,382 |
Major Cities (2013) | Kenosha (99,889), Pleasant Prairie (20,173) |
Colleges, Vocational Schools and Universities | Carthage College, Concordia College, Gateway Technical College, University of Wisconsin-Parkside |
Largest Kenosha County Private-Sector Employers (500+ Employees)
COMPANY | PRODUCT | LOCAL EMPLOYMENT |
United Hospital System | Health care system | 1,000+ |
Aurora Health Care | Health care system | 500-999 |
Carthage College | College | 500-999 |
Snap-on | Hand tools | 500-999 |
Unified Solutions | Packaging | 500-999 |
Supervalu Holdings Inc. | Grocery wholesalers | 500-999 |
Kenosha Beef International | Meat processors | 500-999 |
Jockey International | Underwear | 500-999 |
Sanmina-SCI Corp. | Electronic components | 500-999 |