A large wave of German immigrants arrived after 1848 and contributed greatly to the city's political, economic, and cultural development. Milwaukee is one of the great industrial centers in the country and one of the largest Great Lakes ports. Currently, port commerce runs almost 3 million tons per year. Its economy was forged by heavy industries but is now diversified. Manufacturing remains strong, and Milwaukee manufacturers are national leaders in lithographic commercial printing and the production of medical diagnostic instruments, small gasoline engines, malt beverages, iron and steel forgings, mining and construction machinery, robotics, speed changers and drives, and electronic controls.
Tourism is important to the economy.
About 5 million people visit Milwaukee every year.