The 8 Biggest Cities Located on the Shores of Lake Michigan

The Great Lakes are a massive group of freshwater lakes in North America. Together, they contain 21% of the world’s surface freshwater. The Great Lakes are an important resource for drinking water, recreation, commerce, animals, and plants. Lake Michigan is the third-largest Great Lake by surface area and is the only Great Lake located entirely in the United States. It borders Wisconsin to the west, Michigan to the north and east, Indiana to the southeast, and Illinois to the southwest. The vast shores of Lake Michigan feature several big cities, including one of the biggest cities in the United States! This article explores the biggest cities on Lake Michigan by population.

1. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is the biggest city on Lake Michigan by population. According to the 2020 United States Census, Chicago has a population of 2,746,388. That makes Chicago the third-most populous city in the United States behind New York and Los Angeles. Chicago is a massive cultural, economic, and transportation hub. The city is famous for its art, music, architecture, museums, and food. Jazz and blues fans know Chicago as a major center for the genres across history. Additionally, Chicago-style hot dogs and pizzas are an iconic attraction of the city. Chicago is also a major sports city, home to the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, and Bears. Many of the biggest cities on Lake Michigan are suburbs or satellite cities of the Chicago metropolitan area.

2. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee is the second-biggest city on Lake Michigan. With a population of 577,222, Milwaukee is also the most populous city in Wisconsin. Milwaukee is famous for its breweries and its sports teams. Several large breweries are located in Milwaukee, including Miller and Pabst. Additionally, the city is home to the MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers and the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

3. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay is the third-biggest city on Lake Michigan. With a population of 107,395, Green Bay is the second-most populous city in Wisconsin. Green Bay is most famous for the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.

4. Kenosha, Wisconsin

Kenosha is located between Chicago and Milwaukee. It is considered a suburb of Milwaukee and a Chicago metropolitan area satellite city. With a population of 99,986, Kenosha is also the fourth-most populous city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is home to several large corporations including Jockey, a clothing company, and Snap-On Inc., a tool manufacturer. Like many midwestern cities, Kenosha once had a large automobile manufacturing industry.

5. Waukegan, Illinois

Waukegan is a suburb of Chicago and the county seat of Lake County, Illinois. With a population of 89,321, Waukegan is the 10th-most populous city in Illinois. Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451 and Dandelion Wine, was born in Waukegan. Bradbury based Green Town, the fictional setting for many of his works, on his childhood memories of Waukegan. The city has a park named in his honor.

6. Hammond, Indiana

Hammond is the only city in Indiana that borders Chicago. With a population of 77,879, Hammond is the eighth-most populous city in Indiana. It is home to the Horseshoe Hammond Riverboat Casino, which routinely hosts the World Series of Poker events. Hammond is also famous for the Hammond Circus Train Wreck, one of the most devastating train wrecks in U.S. history. The train wreck occurred in 1918 around 6 miles outside of the city.

7. Racine, Wisconsin

Racine is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, between Milwaukee and Chicago. With a population of 77,816, Racine is the fifth-most populous city in Wisconsin. Racine is famous for the development of the garbage disposal InSinkErator and for being the birthplace of malted milk balls.

8. Gary, Indiana

Gary is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, around 25 miles southeast of Chicago. It has a population of 69,093. Gary is the topic of a song featured in the 1957 Broadway musical, and subsequent movies of the same name, The Music Man.

Summary of the Biggest Cities On Lake Michigan