Racine is a city in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River, situated 22 miles south of Milwaukee and 60 miles north of Chicago.

History of Racine

From a historical address delivered by Judge Charles E. Dyer at Burlington, Wis., Feb. 22, 1871

In the year 1832 there were but four white men in that part of what is now Wisconsin, south of Green Bay and east of the Rock River. They were French traders. During that year the Sac war broke out and attracted the attention of the whole country to this region. The title to the land
was in the Indians. By the treaty of 1833, between the Pottawatomie and other tribes of Indians, all the tract of county now comprising the southeastern portion of Wisconsin was ceded to the United States — the Indians, however, to remain in possession until 1836, the Government
reserving the right, meantime, to survey the tract. In November, 1834, Captain Gilbert Knapp came to the mouth of Root River, and I find it recorded in such form that I deem it worthy of implicit credit, that he was the first permanent American settler upon any portion of that tract
of country now included in the counties of Racine, Walworth and Rock.

Welcome to

Racine County

A Mix of What’s Best about Wisconsin and the Midwest

A prime location in southeastern Wisconsin along Lake Michigan, Racine County is located approximately 25 miles south of Milwaukee and 60 miles north of Chicago. Interstate 94 conveniently links Racine County with Milwaukee, Madison and Minneapolis to the west, and Chicago and Detroit to the east.

Get to Know Racine County

Whether you are heading to our award-winning North Beach for a day of fun on the sand, shopping and dining in our historic downtowns, or taking a day trip down our rustic backroads to catch our Quilts on Barns, there are new and exciting discoveries awaiting you in Racine County!