Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area

Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · Metro Area

1,568,938Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 4 counties (2 central, 2 outlying), part of the Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $78,218
Median home value: $306,400
Land area: 1,455 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Milwaukee County, WI	Central	926,331	$64,435	$230,700
Waukesha County, WI	Central	411,762	$106,076	$398,200
Washington County, WI	Outlying	137,879	$96,359	$344,800
Ozaukee County, WI	Outlying	92,966	$96,996	$390,200

Largest cities and towns

93 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Milwaukee, WI	City	566,973	$54,234
Waukesha, WI	City	71,233	$83,837
West Allis, WI	City	59,612	$67,611
Wauwatosa, WI	City	48,529	$101,138
Brookfield, WI	City	41,273	$129,548
New Berlin, WI	City	40,270	$101,091
Menomonee Falls, WI	Village	39,539	$100,238
Greenfield, WI	City	37,345	$70,459
Oak Creek, WI	City	37,325	$96,555
Franklin, WI	City	35,886	$106,894
West Bend, WI	City	32,030	$74,076
Muskego, WI	City	25,406	$112,221
Mequon, WI	City	25,270	$144,051
Germantown, WI	Village	20,962	$100,231
South Milwaukee, WI	City	20,442	$73,427
Oconomowoc, WI	City	19,080	$106,425
Cudahy, WI	City	17,853	$66,719
Pewaukee, WI	City	16,211	$108,350
Hartford, WI	City	15,821	$82,014
Whitefish Bay, WI	Village	14,665	$157,109
Greendale, WI	Village	14,594	$94,769
Glendale, WI	City	13,656	$78,092
Shorewood, WI	Village	13,627	$86,726
Port Washington, WI	City	12,645	$81,948
Cedarburg, WI	City	12,605	$84,896

Also in the Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI combined area

Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI · metro · 197,532 Whitewater-Elkhorn, WI · micro · 105,657 Beaver Dam, WI · micro · 88,742 Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI · micro · 86,003

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

12.3%

Unemployment

3.8%

College Educated

39.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$78,218

Mean Household Income

$106,677

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.0%

Female

51.0%

Population Split

Male49.0%

Female51.0%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German31.0%

Polish9.5%

Irish9.4%

Mexican7.8%

English5.2%

Italian4.2%

French2.0%

Scottish1.0%

African0.8%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

7.8%Foreign Born

92.2%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized49.0%

Non-Citizen51.0%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later34.3%

Before 201065.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

701,558

Median Rent

$1,139/mo

Median Home Value

$306,400

Median Year Built

1967

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

373,115

College Enrollment

18.2%

High School

22.7%

College Educated

39.6%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

22.7 min

Drive Alone Rate

72.1%

Public Transit

2.0%

Work From Home

15.2%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.6%

18-34 Years

22.4%

35-64 Years

37.9%

65+ Years

17.1%

Population Composition

Under 1822.6%

18-3422.4%

35-6437.9%

65+17.1%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

42.2%

Single Parent

7.0%

Living Alone

33.5%

Avg Size

2.35

Household Types

Married Couples42.2%

Single Parent7.0%

Living Alone33.5%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$45,732

SNAP Usage

14.1%

Health Insurance

94.6%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k14.6%

$25k - $50k17.5%

$50k - $100k29.0%

$100k+38.9%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

16.9%

Retail Trade

10.6%

Education & Health Care

24.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

11.7%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.6%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

91.2%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

95.3%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

96.9

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

137.1

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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