Milwaukee County, WI

County

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2024 Population

926,331

US Senator

Ron Johnson

Republican Party

US Senator

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

35.5

0.282% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

17.2%

1.4% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$64,435

3.73% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$230,700

6.56% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

453,153

0.526% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Milwaukee County, WI reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.6% of the residents in Milwaukee County, WI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Milwaukee County, WI are University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (6,063 degrees awarded in 2023), Marquette University (3,745 degrees), and Milwaukee Area Technical College (3,090 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Milwaukee County, WI was $230,700, and the homeownership rate was 49.9%.

Most people in Milwaukee County, WI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Milwaukee County, WI was 2 cars per household.

Milwaukee County, WI borders Muskegon County, MI, Ottawa County, MI, Ozaukee County, WI, Racine County, WI, Washington County, WI, and Waukesha County, WI.

About the photo: Milwaukee Art Museum

Photo by Ed Bierman

United States Wisconsin Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI

Population & Diversity

Milwaukee County, WI is home to a population of 926k people, from which 94.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 9.82% of Milwaukee County, WI residents were born outside of the country (90.9k people).

In 2024, there were 1.89 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (445k people) in Milwaukee County, WI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 235k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 73.3k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.6%

2024 Citizenship

94.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.6% of Milwaukee County, WI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Milwaukee County, WI was 94.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Milwaukee County, WI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Milwaukee County, WI

White (Non-Hispanic)
445k ± 828
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
235k ± 1.95k
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
73.3k ± 2.9k

17%

Hispanic Population

157k people

17% of the people in Milwaukee County, WI are hispanic (157k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Milwaukee County, WI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Wisconsin.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
89,915 ± 7,306 people
India
21,992 ± 3,634 people
China
14,287 ± 2,931 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wisconsin was Mexico, the natal country of 89,915 Wisconsin residents, followed by India with 21,992 and China with 14,287.

Foreign-Born Population

9.82%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

90.9k people

9.53%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

88.4k people

As of 2024, 9.82% of Milwaukee County, WI residents (90.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Milwaukee County, WI was 9.53%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Milwaukee County, WI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
10,099 ± 783
Gulf War (2001-)
6,730 ± 731
Gulf War (1990s)
3,941 ± 498

Milwaukee County, WI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.5 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Milwaukee County, WI.

Economy

The economy of Milwaukee County, WI employs 453k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Milwaukee County, WI were Health Care & Social Assistance (76,191 people), Manufacturing (69,864 people), and Retail Trade (47,714 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($100,125), Utilities ($80,615), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($71,653).

Employment

Occupations

453k

2024 Value

± 5,384

0.526%

1 Year growth

± 1.64%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Milwaukee County, WI grew at a rate of 0.526%, from 451k employees to 453k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Milwaukee County, WI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (48,386 people), Management Occupations (45,427 people), and Production Occupations (38,919 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Milwaukee County, WI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Wisconsin (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

453k

2024 Value

± 5,384

0.526%

1 Year growth

± 1.64%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Milwaukee County, WI grew at a rate of 0.526%, from 451k employees to 453k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Milwaukee County, WI, are Health Care & Social Assistance (76,191 people), Manufacturing (69,864 people), and Retail Trade (47,714 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Milwaukee County, WI, though some of these residents may live in Milwaukee County, WI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$52,211

Median earning men ± $686

$42,855

Median earning women ± $711

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($76,358), Public Administration ($70,863), and Information ($66,396).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($62,987), Public Administration ($60,173), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($59,041).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

Y-Axis

1.6%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.95M people employed in Wisconsin. This represents a 1.6% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13.3%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Wisconsin.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,500
Health Care and Social Assistance
1,185
Retail Trade
1,173
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$5.29M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$4.61M
Finance and Insurance
$3.27M
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Donald J. Trump with 49.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.518%).

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing the state of Wisconsin. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Milwaukee County, WI. Showing the available data for Wisconsin.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.6%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.7%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.518%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Donald J. Trump with 49.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.518%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wisconsin for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Wisconsin

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

Ron Johnson

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tammy Baldwin

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing Wisconsin.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Wisconsin over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Milwaukee County, WI awarded 16,489 degrees. The student population of Milwaukee County, WI in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 24,114 male students and 34,701 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Milwaukee County, WI are White (10,073 and 63.4%), Hispanic or Latino (2,197 and 13.8%), Black or African American (1,642 and 10.3%), and Asian (952 and 5.99%).

The largest universities in Milwaukee County, WI by number of degrees awarded are University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (6,063 and 36.8%), Marquette University (3,745 and 22.7%), and Milwaukee Area Technical College (3,090 and 18.7%).

The most popular majors in Milwaukee County, WI are Registered Nursing (1,347 and 8.17%), General Marketing & Marketing Management (418 and 2.54%), and General Business Administration & Management (381 and 2.31%).

The median tuition costs in Milwaukee County, WI are $34,520 for private four year colleges, and $7,603 and $13,603 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Milwaukee County, WI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 83.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 18.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 58,815 (41% men and 59% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 58,815 students enrolled in Milwaukee County, WI, 41% men and 59% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 31,729 records, of which 57.2% were women and 42.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
614 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
386 degrees awarded
General Finance
348 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Milwaukee County, WI was Registered Nursing with 614 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Milwaukee County, WI according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
6,063 degrees awarded
Marquette University
3,745 degrees awarded
Milwaukee Area Technical College
3,090 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with 6,063 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 6,388 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Milwaukee County, WI, which is 0.632 times less than the 10,101 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 10,073 degrees mean that there were 4.58 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 2,197 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($34,520) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,565) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($2,580) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Milwaukee County, WI was $230,700 in 2024, which is 0.693 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $216,500 to $230,700, a 6.56% increase. The homeownership rate in Milwaukee County, WI is 49.9%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Milwaukee County, WI have an average commute time of 22.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Milwaukee County, WI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 18.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Milwaukee County, WI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.65%.

Housing

Property

$230,700

Median Property Value 2024

±$2,063

$195,766

Median Property Taxes

±$3,091

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Milwaukee County, WI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Milwaukee County, WI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

49.9%

Homeownership

2024

61.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 49.9% of the housing units in Milwaukee County, WI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 49.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Milwaukee County, WI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$64,435

Median Household Income

± $1,218

392k

Number of Households

± 4,969

In 2024, the median household income of the 392k households in Milwaukee County, WI grew to $64,435 from the previous year's value of $62,118.

The following chart displays the households in Milwaukee County, WI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Milwaukee County, WI is from Wisconsin.

0.441

2023 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

0.443

2022 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

In 2023, the income inequality in Wisconsin was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.492% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Wisconsin was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Wisconsin in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Wisconsin across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (68.9%)
Worked At Home (14.4%)
Carpooled (8.48%)

In 2024, 68.9% of workers in Milwaukee County, WI drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.4%) and those who carpooled to work (8.48%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Milwaukee County, WI have a shorter commute time (22.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.4% of the workforce in Milwaukee County, WI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Milwaukee County, WI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Milwaukee County, WI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Milwaukee County, WI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 18.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Milwaukee County, WI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.65%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

17.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Milwaukee County, WI (156k out of 908k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Milwaukee County, WI is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 23.3% of the children was living in poverty in Milwaukee County, WI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 9.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 1.02k in Milwaukee County, WI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 268 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

92.8% of the population of Milwaukee County, WI has health coverage, with 47.3% on employee plans, 24.8% on Medicaid, 10.7% on Medicare, 9.21% on non-group plans, and 0.86% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Milwaukee County, WI see 1,298 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,298 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1100 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 256 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,298 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Milwaukee County, WI

Primary care physicians in Milwaukee County, WI see an average of 1,298 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,298 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Milwaukee County, WI in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.2% under 18 years, 24.2% between 18 and 34 years, 36.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.18%

Uninsured

47.3%

Employer Coverage

24.8%

Medicaid

10.7%

Medicare

9.21%

Non-Group

0.86%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Milwaukee County, WI grew by 0.762% from 7.12% to 7.18%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Milwaukee County, WI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 75.3 in Milwaukee County, WI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Milwaukee County, WI.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39.4% in Milwaukee County, WI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Milwaukee County, WI.