Milwaukee County, WI

County

Add Comparison

2021 Population

939,123

1.06% 1-year decline

US Senator

Ron Johnson

Republican Party

US Senator

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

35.1

0.286% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

17.9%

2.32% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$54,793

4.85% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$172,400

4.99% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

452,662

1.15% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Milwaukee County, WI had a population of 939k people with a median age of 35.1 and a median household income of $54,793. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Milwaukee County, WI declined from 949,180 to 939,123, a −1.06% decrease and its median household income grew from $52,260 to $54,793, a 4.85% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Milwaukee County, WI are White (Non-Hispanic) (49.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (26.2%), White (Hispanic) (5.93%), Other (Hispanic) (5.68%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.44%).

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.

94.8% of the residents in Milwaukee County, WI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Milwaukee County, WI are University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (6,303 degrees awarded in 2021), Marquette University (3,619 degrees), and Milwaukee Area Technical College (2,746 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Milwaukee County, WI was $172,400, and the homeownership rate was 49.3%.

Most people in Milwaukee County, WI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.3 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 939k people, from which 94.8% are citizens. As of 2021, 9.25% of Milwaukee County, WI residents were born outside of the country (86.9k people).

In 2021, there were 1.89 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (464k people) in Milwaukee County, WI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 246k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 55.7k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.8%

2021 Citizenship

94.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94.8% of Milwaukee County, WI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Milwaukee County, WI was 94.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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)
464k ± 973
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
246k ± 1.77k
White (Hispanic)
55.7k ± 2.31k

15.8%

Hispanic Population

149k people

15.8% of the people in Milwaukee County, WI are hispanic (149k people).

The following chart shows the 7 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
83,507 ± 7,044 people
India
24,549 ± 3,839 people
China
15,404 ± 3,043 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wisconsin was Mexico, the natal country of 83,507 Wisconsin residents, followed by India with 24,549 and China with 15,404.

Foreign-Born Population

9.25%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

86.9k people

9.28%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

88.1k people

As of 2021, 9.25% of Milwaukee County, WI residents (86.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Milwaukee County, WI was 9.28%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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
11,955 ± 731
Gulf War (2001-)
6,625 ± 521
Gulf War (1990s)
3,780 ± 424

Milwaukee County, WI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.8 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Milwaukee County, WI employs 453k people. The largest industries in Milwaukee County, WI are Health Care & Social Assistance (77,448 people), Manufacturing (67,925 people), and Retail Trade (45,881 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($75,238), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($67,262), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($59,713).

Males in Wisconsin have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,441. The income inequality in Wisconsin (measured using the Gini index) is 0.443, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

453k

2021 Value

± 4,974

−1.15%

1 Year decline

± 1.6%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Milwaukee County, WI declined at a rate of −1.15%, from 458k employees to 453k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Milwaukee County, WI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (52,404 people), Production Occupations (40,688 people), and Management Occupations (39,170 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.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

453k

2021 Value

± 4,974

−1.15%

1 Year decline

± 1.6%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Milwaukee County, WI declined at a rate of −1.15%, from 458k employees to 453k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Milwaukee County, WI, are Health Care & Social Assistance (77,448 people), Manufacturing (67,925 people), and Retail Trade (45,881 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

$44,413

Median earning men ± $508

$35,246

Median earning women ± $711

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($65,330), Public Administration ($65,224), and Information ($56,620).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($52,420), Public Administration ($51,392), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($48,646).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Wisconsin. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

9,527
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
4,959
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
4,640
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$17.1M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$12.1M
Manufacturing
$10.1M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Wisconsin product (by dollars) was Other foodstuffs with $43.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($37.7B) and Machinery ($34.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Wisconsin products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Wisconsin.

$348B

2020 Value in Wisconsin

$614B

Projected 2050 Value in Wisconsin

76.2% growth

In 2020, total outbound Wisconsin trade was $348B. This is expected to increase 76.2% to $614B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Wisconsin trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$35.8B
Minnesota
$17.7B
Michigan
$15.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Wisconsin domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $35.8B, followed by Minnesota with $17.7B and Michigan and $15.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Wisconsin shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Milwaukee County, WI went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 69.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (29.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.946%).

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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (69.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (29.3%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.946%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Milwaukee County, WI for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Wisconsin

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Wisconsin have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Milwaukee County, WI awarded 16,815 degrees. The student population of Milwaukee County, WI in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 49,336 male students and 71,822 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Milwaukee County, WI are White (10,606 and 65.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,990 and 12.3%), Black or African American (1,580 and 9.76%), and Asian (987 and 6.1%).

The largest universities in Milwaukee County, WI by number of degrees awarded are University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (6,303 and 37.5%), Marquette University (3,619 and 21.5%), and Milwaukee Area Technical College (2,746 and 16.3%).

The most popular majors in Milwaukee County, WI are Registered Nursing (1,244 and 7.4%), General Business Administration & Management (570 and 3.39%), and General Psychology (433 and 2.58%).

The median tuition costs in Milwaukee County, WI are $34,062 for private four year colleges, and $7,421 and $13,353 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Milwaukee County, WI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 84.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 121,158 (40.7% men and 59.3% 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 2021 there were 121,158 students enrolled in Milwaukee County, WI, 40.7% men and 59.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 70,474 records, of which 57.4% were women and 42.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Marketing & Marketing Management
414 degree-majors awarded
General Finance
390 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
684 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Milwaukee County, WI was General Marketing & Marketing Management with 414 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
6,303 degrees awarded
Marquette University
3,619 degrees awarded
Milwaukee Area Technical College
2,746 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with 6,303 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 6,521 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Milwaukee County, WI, which is 0.633 times less than the 10,294 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 10,606 degrees mean that there were 5.33 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,990 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 ($34,062) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,519) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,520) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.664% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.589% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.4M), Some college (1.03M), and Bachelors Degree (900k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Milwaukee County, WI was $172,400 in 2021, which is 0.704 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $164,200 to $172,400, a 4.99% increase. The homeownership rate in Milwaukee County, WI is 49.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Milwaukee County, WI have an average commute time of 22.3 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.

Median household income in Milwaukee County, WI is $54,793. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Milwaukee County, WI was Census Tract 351 with a value of $196,307, followed by Census Tract 702 and Census Tract 401, with respective values of $180,240 and $178,750.

In 2022, 20.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Milwaukee County, WI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.897%.

Housing

Property

$172,400

Median Property Value 2021

±$1,462

$190,893

Median Property Taxes

±$2,827

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

49.3%

Homeownership

2021

61.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 49.3% of the housing units in Milwaukee County, WI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 49.1%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 351
Census Tract 702
Census Tract 401

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Milwaukee County, WI was Census Tract 351 with a value of $196,307, followed by Census Tract 702 and Census Tract 401, with respective values of $180,240 and $178,750.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Milwaukee County, WI colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

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

$54,793

Median Household Income

± $779

387k

Number of Households

± 4,675

In 2021, the median household income of the 387k households in Milwaukee County, WI grew to $54,793 from the previous year's value of $52,260.

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.

0.443

2021 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

0.445

2020 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

In 2021, the income inequality in Wisconsin was 0.443 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.429% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Wisconsin was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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 2021

Drove Alone (74.5%)
Worked At Home (8.79%)
Carpooled (8.21%)

In 2021, 74.5% of workers in Milwaukee County, WI drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.79%) and those who carpooled to work (8.21%).

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

22.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Milwaukee County, WI have a shorter commute time (22.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.45% 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 2022, 20.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Milwaukee County, WI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.897%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

17.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Milwaukee County, WI (164k out of 918k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. 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 2022, 25.5% of the children was living in poverty in Milwaukee County, WI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 6.9%.

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.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health

92.8% of the population of Milwaukee County, WI has health coverage, with 48.9% on employee plans, 23.5% on Medicaid, 10.1% on Medicare, 9.34% on non-group plans, and 0.953% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Wisconsin was $8,702 in 2014. This is a 6.26% increase from the previous year ($8,189).

Primary care physicians in Milwaukee County, WI see 1325 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.86% decrease from the previous year (1364 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1181 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 306 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,325 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Milwaukee County, WI

Primary care physicians in Milwaukee County, WI see an average of 1,325 patients per year. This represents a 2.86% decrease from the previous year (1,364 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 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.8% under 18 years, 24.2% between 18 and 34 years, 36.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

7.24%

Uninsured

48.9%

Employer Coverage

23.5%

Medicaid

10.1%

Medicare

9.34%

Non-Group

0.953%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Milwaukee County, WI grew by 0.518% from 7.21% to 7.24%.

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 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 75.6 in Milwaukee County, WI.

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

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, 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 38% in Milwaukee County, WI.

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

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function