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Brookfield, WI

Frequently asked questions

Brookfield, WI

Brookfield is a city in eastern Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 41,464 at the 2020 census. The city is adjacent to the Town of Brookfield and is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Brookfield is west of Milwaukee in Waukesha County an area originally inhabited by Potawatomi Indians. The first white settler, William Howe, arrived in 1820 with a Presidential Land Grant giving him title to the area. Soon after, Robert Curren bought a claim in 1836 and established a tavern and inn.

In May 1838, Jacques View Jr., with a large party of white settlers, led the local Potawatomi west. Caroline Quiner, the mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, was born in a cabin in 1839 in what is now the City of Brookfield, near the current intersection of Brookfield Road and Davidson Road. By 1839, the population needed a schoolhouse, as the 1840 census showed a population of 148. In the 1840s, George Gebhardt started trading with the surrounding Potawatomi and Menominee neighbors. 1843 is when the first church was built, by the Irish Catholic congregation, named St. Dominic. 1848 was when telegraph lines were laid through Brookfield, towards Waukesha. Communication was made easier due to this. In 1849, cholera reached Brookfield, and one Laura Grover recalls, "The death-like stillness was appalling; nothing was seen but the death carts rolling round the streets gathering the recent dead... I believe there were fifty deaths from cholera that day." The same year, 64 Brookfield residents voted in favor of giving suffrage to black residents, and 0 the other way. In 1850, cholera again went through Brookfield, and according to one Earl Thayer, "The cholera returned... more terrible than the year before. People died walking along the streets. Official reports put the toll at over 300."

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.59 square miles (71.46 km²), of which 27.29 square miles (70.68 km²) is land and 0.367 square miles (0.95 km²) is water. The sub-continental divide passes through Brookfield; on the eastern side of this divide, easily marked by the crest at Calhoun Road and Capitol Drive, water flows to Lake Michigan on its way to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence; on the western side of this divide, water flows to the Fox River of Illinois and Wisconsin on its way to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. There is a heron rookery on a site northwest of Capitol Drive and Brookfield Road.

Health and wellness are paramount in Brookfield, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Aurora Health Center is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Brookfield Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Anytime Fitness, Luxury Health Club & Fitness Center, and  Crunch Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Brookfield, such as the Fox Brook Lake and Fox River Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Brookfield, WI, are Adventure Rock, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, and Brookfield Conference Center.

Population: 41,268 (2024). ZIP codes: 53005, 53045, 53072. Area code: 262. Elevation: 900 feet (274 m). Area: 27.66 sq mi (71.63 km²).

FAQs

Is Brookfield, WI a good place to live?

Brookfield is a suburb of Milwaukee with a population of 41,342. Brookfield is in Waukesha County and is one of the best places to live in Wisconsin. Living in Brookfield offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Brookfield, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many retirees live in Brookfield and residents tend to be conservative.

How did Brookfield, WI get its name?

Brookfield was originally inhabited by Sac and Potawatomi Native Americans. They were displaced by white settlers in the early nineteenth century. Most of Brookfield’s first white settlers were New Yorkers or Germans. The name itself comes from the community of Brookfield, New York.

What is the crime rate in Brookfield, WI?

The crime rate in Brookfield is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 13 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Brookfield is 1 in 75. Based on FBI crime data, Brookfield is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Wisconsin, Brookfield has a crime rate that is higher than 80% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Brookfield

Aurora Health Center

Brookfield Parks and Recreation Department 

Anytime Fitness

Luxury Health Club & Fitness Center 

Crunch Fitness

Fox Brook Lake 

Fox River Trail

Adventure Rock

Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts

Brookfield Conference Center

Niche

EMKE

Neighborhood Scout

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