• Location: A lakeside city on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River, about 22 miles south of Milwaukee and 60 miles north of Chicago. It’s the county seat of Racine County, and the fifth-most populous city in Wisconsin.
• Founded: Established in the 1830s, with early growth driven by industrial entrepreneurs and waves of European immigrants, notably Danes, Germans, and Czechs. The City was incorporated on August 8th, 1848.

• Population: Approx. 77,816 as of the 2020 Census.
• Diversity: A richly diverse community—roughly 51.5% White, 23.9% Black, 0.8% Asian, and about 24% Hispanic or Latino.
• Economics: Median household income near $53,000; per-capita income around $27,000. About 18–20% of residents live below the poverty line.

• Known historically as a manufacturing powerhouse, the city still hosts global companies alongside local businesses and start-ups.
• The average commute is about 22 minutes, and the median home value is approximately $150,000—making it relatively affordable .

• Architectural treasures:
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s Johnson Wax Headquarters (National Historic Landmark).
  • Memorial Hall, built in the 1920s —a symbol of civic pride and a venue for major events.
  • Historic Sixth Street Business District, featuring 19th-century storefronts along the city’s main route.
• Arts
  • The Racine Art Museum (RAM) houses North America’s largest contemporary craft collection.
  • Racine Theatre Guild, since 1938, presents plays, musicals, and theatre classes.

• Danish influence: Once home to North America’s largest Danish community, the city celebrates its heritage through events and foods.
• Kringle: This buttery, layered Danish pastry became Wisconsin’s official state pastry in 2013 and remains a delicious local symbol.

• Downtown & Waterfront: Vibrant downtown with beaches, the Racine Zoo, marinas, Wisconsin architecture, museums, restaurants, and nightlife.
• Community Events: Year-round festivals, sports in Memorial Hall, and leisure along the lakeshore.

Racine is positioning itself as affordable, culturally rich, and entrepreneur-friendly — balancing its industrial roots with contemporary revitalization efforts like the new Maltworks incubator, located at Belle City Square.

Racine blends mid‑20th‑century industrial strength with rich immigrant heritage, shown in its architecture, arts, and famously flaky Kringle. With its lakeside charm, affordability, and evolving economy, it’s a hidden gem in southeastern Wisconsin.