City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Kenosha, WI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Kenosha - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

99,147
Residents
$68,532
Median income
$210,500
Median home
$1,402
Median rent (state)

Kenosha - the verdict

Nationally, Kenosha sits in the 48th percentile for household income and the 58th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

48th
percentile, household income
46th
percentile, home value
54th
percentile, median rent
58th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Kenosha, WI

Kenosha is a small city in Wisconsin, home to 99,147 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Kenosha households earn a median of $68,532 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.9%. Home values in Kenosha run a median of $210,500, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. Educational attainment runs 28.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 64.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 81 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 64% from five years earlier. Kenosha reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1152.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Kenosha's yearly average temperature at 48.4°F with 37.6 inches of precipitation per year and 36.2 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: the state registers 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,402 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Wisconsin run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 85.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

99,147 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$68,532 /yr

Poverty 10.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Kenosha compare to other US cities?

Kenosha measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 48% higher than other cities
Home value 46% pricier than other cities
Median rent 54% pricier than other cities
Safety 58% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Wisconsin, Kenosha ranks #119 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Kenosha against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Wisconsin only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Wisconsin-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent is Kenosha's strongest outlier among Wisconsin cities

Among the 761 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Kenosha ranks #44 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Kenosha only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#378 of 753
50th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#44 of 761
93rd percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#276 of 754
63rd percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#152 of 761
80th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#222 of 761
71st percentile in Wisconsin

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Wisconsin only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

48thIncome percentile
58thSafety percentile

48th percentile nationally for median household income · 58th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Kenosha's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Kenosha's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Kenosha's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Kenosha's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$210,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 54% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Kenosha $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Kenosha, WI Kenosha, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kenosha, WI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Kenosha, WI median $68,532/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Kenosha, WI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Kenosha, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
99,147
Median Income
$68,532
Median Home Value
$210,500
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Labor force participation
64.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1152.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
285.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
866.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
48.4°F
Annual Precipitation
37.6"
Annual Snowfall
36.2"

Schools

Total Schools
41
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
98,500 residents99,000 residents99,500 residents100,000 residents100,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 99,958 residents 99,239 residents ▼ -0.7%
Kenosha's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
81
housing units authorized
Single-Family
77
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 226
2020 26
2021 418
2022 129
2023 113
2024 81

Permit volume decreased 64% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.9%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
8.5%
Other
1.7%

Based on 49,893 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Wisconsin - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Wisconsin state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Wisconsin state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Kenosha sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,402/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Green Bay
106,585 people
Racine
77,155 people
Appleton
74,873 people
Waukesha
70,779 people
Eau Claire
69,274 people
Oshkosh
66,247 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kenosha's 99,147 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

St. George, UT
99,184 people
Federal Way, WA
99,232 people
Longmont, CO
98,958 people
Boca Raton, FL
98,833 people
San Angelo, TX
99,507 people
New Braunfels, TX
98,700 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kenosha's $68,532 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sharon Hill, PA
$68,529 median income
Desert Hills, AZ
$68,523 median income
Sheffield, IL
$68,542 median income
Oak Ridge, MO
$68,542 median income
Willow Creek, MT
$68,542 median income
Somers Point, NJ
$68,542 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kenosha, WI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Kenosha, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.2% 9.7% 14.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.5% White 69.2% Black or African American 9.7% Asian 2.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 3.6% Two or more races 14.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Kenosha compares to nearby Wisconsin cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Kenosha (this city) 99,147 $68,532
Green Bay 106,585 $62,546
Racine 77,155 $55,705
Appleton 74,873 $77,450
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kenosha, WI?

What is the population of Kenosha, WI? +

Kenosha, WI counts 99,147 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Kenosha, WI? +

The median household income in Kenosha is $68,532 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kenosha? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Kenosha; the closest available measure is the Wisconsin state average, a cost of living index of 94.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Is Kenosha, WI safe? +

Kenosha has a total crime rate of 1152.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Kenosha, WI? +

The median home value in Kenosha is $210,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Kenosha? +

Climate normals put Kenosha's yearly average temperature at 48.4°F, 37.6 inches of precipitation, and 36.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.