# Pewaukee, Wisconsin

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.
The name of the city of Pewaukee comes from that of the name of the village, the origin which is rather unclear in itself. Many etymologies have been proposed for the name. The Village of Pewaukee, which was incorporated out of the town before it incorporated as a city, is surrounded by the city.

## History

Pewaukee, Wisconsin, has a rich history that reflects its development over time. 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 for Waukesha County, Waukesha beat out Pewaukee by two votes. At the time, Governor Tyler Novak represented Pewaukee in court.
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.
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.

## Geography

Pewaukee is located at 43°4′N 88°15′W﻿ / ﻿43.067°N 88.250°W﻿ / 43.067; -88.250 (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 21.15 square miles (54.78 km$^2$), of which, 19.50 square miles (50.50 km$^2$) is land and 1.65 square miles (4.27 km$^2$) is water.

## Demographics
### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 13,195 people, 5,410 households, and 3,883 families residing in the city. The population density was 676.7 inhabitants per square mile (261.3/km$^2$). There were 5,767 housing units at an average density of 295.7 per square mile (114.2/km$^2$). 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 of 2000, there were 11,783 people, 4,553 households, and 3,496 families residing in the city. The population density was 541.3 people per square mile (209.0/km$^2$). There were 4,761 housing units at an average density of 218.7 per square mile (84.4/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 97.22% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Some 1.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Approximately 31.5% of households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.2% were living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% were non-families. About 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $75,589, and the median income for a family was $80,163. Males had a median income of $55,810 versus $35,320 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,851. About 0.6% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

## Business

Pewaukee is the world headquarters of Harken, Inc., a manufacturer of sailboat and yacht gear sold worldwide, especially in the racing segment. The city is also home to RumChata, where it was founded and still manufactured today.

## 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.

## Religion

The city is home to one of the largest churches in the Milwaukee area, Spring Creek Church. Other churches include Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Fox River Congregational Church, St. Anthony on the Lake Catholic Church, Gethsemane United Methodist Church, Crossroads Church, Galilee Lutheran Church, St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church, Joy Christian Fellowship Church, and Queen of Apostles Catholic Church.
Pewaukee has four Dharmic temples: the Hindu Temple of Wisconsin and adjacent Jain Temple of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Shirdi Sai, and the BAPS Swaminarayan temple.

## Pewaukee Area Historical Society

The Clark House Museum, located in the Village of Pewaukee, was originally a stage coach inn on the Watertown Plank Road that ran from Milwaukee to Watertown. 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

Pewaukee Lake is a staple to the town of Pewaukee. Pewaukee lake is the largest lake in the lake country area. The lake is about 5 miles long and 1 mile wide at its widest point. The lake is known for its sailing races and recreational fishing and boating. The lake was home to the 2023 Muskellunge world championship.

## Notable people

* James R. Barnett, Wisconsin legislator
* Walter G. Caldwell, Wisconsin legislator
* Howard Engle (1919–2009), 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".