Milwaukee, WI

Census Place

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2021 Population

578,198

2.44% 1-year decline

US Senator

Ron Johnson

Republican Party

US Senator

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

31.6

0.637% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

24.1%

1.75% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$45,318

5.09% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$135,600

5.69% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

264,607

2.92% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Milwaukee, WI had a population of 578k people with a median age of 31.6 and a median household income of $45,318. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Milwaukee, WI declined from 592,649 to 578,198, a −2.44% decrease and its median household income grew from $43,125 to $45,318, a 5.09% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Milwaukee, WI are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (38.9%), White (Non-Hispanic) (33%), Other (Hispanic) (7.64%), White (Hispanic) (6.96%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (4.45%).

None of the households in Milwaukee, 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.

93.7% of the residents in Milwaukee, WI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Milwaukee, 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, WI was $135,600, and the homeownership rate was 40.9%.

Most people in Milwaukee, WI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Milwaukee, WI was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Milwaukee Art Museum

Photo by Guillaume Capron

United States Wisconsin Milwaukee County, WI Waukesha County, WI Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI

Population & Diversity

Milwaukee, WI is home to a population of 578k people, from which 93.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 10.1% of Milwaukee, WI residents were born outside of the country (58.6k people).

In 2021, there were 1.18 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (225k people) in Milwaukee, WI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 191k White (Non-Hispanic) and 44.2k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

93.7%

2021 Citizenship

93.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 93.7% of Milwaukee, WI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Milwaukee, WI was 93.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Milwaukee, WI

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
225k ± 2.14k
White (Non-Hispanic)
191k ± 2.59k
Other (Hispanic)
44.2k ± 2.68k

19.9%

Hispanic Population

115k people

19.9% of the people in Milwaukee, WI are hispanic (115k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Milwaukee, WI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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

10.1%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

58.6k people

10.2%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

60.5k people

As of 2021, 10.1% of Milwaukee, WI residents (58.6k 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, WI was 10.2%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,769 ± 569
Gulf War (2001-)
3,354 ± 400
Gulf War (1990s)
2,153 ± 339

Milwaukee, WI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.72 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Milwaukee, WI employs 265k people. The largest industries in Milwaukee, WI are Health Care & Social Assistance (45,940 people), Manufacturing (39,281 people), and Retail Trade (26,477 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($74,315), Public Administration ($54,900), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($52,884).

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

265k

2021 Value

± 3,845

−2.92%

1 Year decline

± 2.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Milwaukee, WI declined at a rate of −2.92%, from 273k employees to 265k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Milwaukee, WI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (29,631 people), Production Occupations (27,798 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (19,769 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Milwaukee, WI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

265k

2021 Value

± 3,845

−2.92%

1 Year decline

± 2.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Milwaukee, WI declined at a rate of −2.92%, from 273k employees to 265k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Milwaukee, WI, are Health Care & Social Assistance (45,940 people), Manufacturing (39,281 people), and Retail Trade (26,477 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Milwaukee, WI, though some of these residents may live in Milwaukee, WI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$37,730

Median earning men ± $713

$30,775

Median earning women ± $529

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($61,458), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($54,191), and Wholesale Trade ($46,101).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($51,116), Wholesale Trade ($45,737), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($44,446).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

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.

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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 Wisconsin went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 49.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (48.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.17%).

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, WI. Showing the available data for Wisconsin.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (49.4%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (48.8%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.17%)
Independent Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 49.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (48.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.17%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wisconsin 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, WI awarded 15,225 degrees. The student population of Milwaukee, WI in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 23,205 male students and 32,710 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Milwaukee, WI are White (9,746 and 66.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,819 and 12.4%), Black or African American (1,290 and 8.78%), and Asian (903 and 6.14%).

The largest universities in Milwaukee, WI by number of degrees awarded are University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (6,303 and 41.4%), Marquette University (3,619 and 23.8%), and Milwaukee Area Technical College (2,746 and 18%).

The most popular majors in Milwaukee, WI are Registered Nursing (1,031 and 6.77%), General Business Administration & Management (487 and 3.2%), and General Psychology (420 and 2.76%).

The median tuition costs in Milwaukee, WI are $35,186 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, WI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 84.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 55,915 (41.5% men and 58.5% 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 55,915 students enrolled in Milwaukee, WI, 41.5% men and 58.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 33,063 records, of which 56.8% were women and 43.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Marketing & Marketing Management
408 degree-majors awarded
General Finance
390 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
628 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Milwaukee, WI was General Marketing & Marketing Management with 408 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Milwaukee, 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, 6,117 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Milwaukee, WI, which is 0.672 times less than the 9,108 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 9,746 degrees mean that there were 5.36 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,819 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 ($35,186) 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, WI was $135,600 in 2021, which is 0.554 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $128,300 to $135,600, a 5.69% increase. The homeownership rate in Milwaukee, WI is 40.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Milwaukee, WI have an average commute time of 22.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Milwaukee, WI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Milwaukee, WI is $45,318. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Milwaukee, WI was Census Tract 74 with a value of $150,625, followed by Census Tract 4702.04 and Census Tract 75, with respective values of $129,506 and $112,188.

Housing

Property

$135,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$1,915

$93,795

Median Property Taxes

±$2,003

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, WI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

40.9%

Homeownership

2021

62.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 40.9% of the housing units in Milwaukee, WI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 40.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Milwaukee, 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 74
Census Tract 4702.04
Census Tract 75

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Milwaukee, WI was Census Tract 74 with a value of $150,625, followed by Census Tract 4702.04 and Census Tract 75, with respective values of $129,506 and $112,188.

The following map shows all of the places in Milwaukee, 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.

$45,318

Median Household Income

± $882

229k

Number of Households

± 3,574

In 2021, the median household income of the 229k households in Milwaukee, WI grew to $45,318 from the previous year's value of $43,125.

The following chart displays the households in Milwaukee, 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 < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Milwaukee, 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 (71.2%)
Carpooled (9.53%)
Worked At Home (7.74%)

In 2021, 71.2% of workers in Milwaukee, WI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.53%) and those who worked at home (7.74%).

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, WI have a shorter commute time (22.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.66% of the workforce in Milwaukee, WI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Milwaukee, 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, WI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Milwaukee, WI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

24.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Milwaukee, WI (136k out of 562k 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, 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.

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.

Health

90.6% of the population of Milwaukee, WI has health coverage, with 41.6% on employee plans, 31.8% on Medicaid, 7.8% on Medicare, 8.71% on non-group plans, and 0.816% on military or VA plans.

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.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Milwaukee County, WI.

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 28.2% under 18 years, 27% between 18 and 34 years, 34.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.2% were men and 52.8% were women.

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

Uninsured People

9.35%

Uninsured

41.6%

Employer Coverage

31.8%

Medicaid

7.8%

Medicare

8.71%

Non-Group

0.816%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Milwaukee, WI grew by 0.589% from 9.3% to 9.35%.

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