Brookfield (town), Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Town of Brookfield, Wisconsin
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Brookfield town hall
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Location in Waukesha County and the state of Wisconsin.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Waukesha |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager government |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.06 sq mi (13.11 km2) |
| • Land | 5.06 sq mi (13.11 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 830 ft (253 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,477 |
| • Density | 1,280.8/sq mi (494.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 262 |
| FIPS code | 55-10050 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1582868 |
The Town of Brookfield is a community in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It is a place where about 6,477 people lived in 2020. A small area called Goerke's Corners is also part of the town.
Contents
History of Brookfield
The Town of Brookfield is located west of Milwaukee in Waukesha County. This area was first home to the Potawatomi Native American people.
In May 1838, a group of white settlers, led by Jacques Vieux Jr., arrived. The local Potawatomi people then moved west. The government of Wisconsin created the town in 1839. However, the town's local government did not officially start until 1843. By 1839, there were enough people living there to need a school.
The town also became important for transportation. The Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad (now called the Canadian Pacific Rail) served the area. A train station was built in 1853, creating a place known as Brookfield Junction. In 1850, the Town of Brookfield had 1,944 residents and covered about 36 square miles. The town grew slowly over the years.
After the Second World War, the Town of Brookfield started to develop more quickly. Building projects and a growing population helped the town expand. On August 14, 1954, the City of Brookfield was formed. It took 17.5 square miles from the central and eastern parts of the town. The next year, in 1955, the Village of Elm Grove was also created. It was formed from 3.25 square miles of the town's eastern area.
Over time, the City of Waukesha and the City of Brookfield took more land from the town. By 2005, the Town of Brookfield had become much smaller, covering only 5.5 square miles. The town tried to become a village three times, in 1999, 2001, and 2012. However, all these attempts were unsuccessful.
Geography of Brookfield
The Town of Brookfield covers a total area of 5.5 square miles (about 14.3 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within its borders.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 4,363 | — | |
| 1990 | 4,232 | −3.0% | |
| 2000 | 6,390 | 51.0% | |
| 2010 | 6,116 | −4.3% | |
| 2020 | 6,477 | 5.9% | |
The Town of Brookfield has seen its population change over the years. In 2020, 6,477 people lived there. The community is made up of people from many different backgrounds.
Places of Worship
The Town of Brookfield is home to Elmbrook Church. This church is the largest in Wisconsin. It is also one of the 100 largest churches in the entire United States.
Famous People from Brookfield
- Caroline Ingalls (1839–1923) was born in what was then the Town of Brookfield. She was the mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote the famous "Little House on the Prairie" books. Caroline's family history goes back to the Mayflower ship. A book called Little House in Brookfield tells about her life.
- Katrina Kozar was a contestant on the TV show MasterChef (U.S. season 6). She lived in the Town of Brookfield when she appeared on the show.
- William H. Steele was born in the town. He was a farmer and later became a Wisconsin State Representative.
See also
In Spanish: Brookfield (condado de Waukesha, Wisconsin) para niños
