City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Waukesha, WI

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

70,779
Residents
$81,651
Median income
$286,600
Median home
$1,338
Median rent (state)

Waukesha - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Waukesha lands in the 63rd percentile for household income and the 64th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

63rd
percentile, household income
63rd
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
64th
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: Waukesha, WI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 70,779 residents in Waukesha, a small city within Wisconsin. Median household income here is $81,651 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.2%. Waukesha's housing stock carries a median value of $286,600, and the median resident age is 36.4 years. Educational attainment runs 40.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 69.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 66 residential building permits were authorized in Waukesha (Slowing), down 14% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Waukesha reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 988.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Wisconsin at 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,338 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Wisconsin run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 88.9 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

70,779 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$81,651 /yr

Poverty 7.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Waukesha compare to other US cities?

Where Waukesha sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 63% higher than other cities
Home value 63% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities
Safety 64% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Wisconsin and the picture shifts: Waukesha ranks #103 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Waukesha's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Wisconsin, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

63rdIncome percentile
64thSafety percentile

63rd percentile nationally for median household income · 64th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Waukesha's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Waukesha'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 57 Avg. percentile National median
Waukesha'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 Waukesha's home value compares nationally

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

$286,600 37th percentile more affordable than 37% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Waukesha $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 - Waukesha, WI Waukesha, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waukesha, 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 Waukesha, WI median $81,651/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%
Waukesha, 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 Waukesha, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.6%

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

Population
70,779
Median Income
$81,651
Median Home Value
$286,600
Median Age
36.4
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Labor force participation
69.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
988.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
114.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
874.6
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.

Schools

Total Schools
28
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
70,800 residents71,000 residents71,200 residents71,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 71,149 residents 70,872 residents ▼ -0.4%
Waukesha's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
66
housing units authorized
Single-Family
28
detached homes
Multifamily
38
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2022 77
2023 53
2024 66

Permit volume decreased 14% from 2022 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.6%
Carpool
7.1%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
3.0%
Work from Home
11.8%
Other
1.0%

Based on 40,036 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 Waukesha sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,338/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Eau Claire
69,274 people
Appleton
74,873 people
Oshkosh
66,247 people
Janesville
65,813 people
Racine
77,155 people
West Allis
59,588 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waukesha's 70,779 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Casas Adobes, AZ
70,770 people
Baldwin Park, CA
70,720 people
Lafayette, IN
70,650 people
Dublin, CA
70,542 people
Ankeny, IA
70,542 people
Maple Grove, MN
70,539 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waukesha's $81,651 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mount Royal, PA
$81,653 median income
Perry, GA
$81,648 median income
Carlton, MT
$81,648 median income
Bristol, IN
$81,656 median income
Canton, GA
$81,642 median income
North St. Paul, MN
$81,641 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waukesha, 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 Waukesha, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.0% 7.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.3% White 83.0% Black or African American 3.4% Asian 2.4% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.4% Two or more races 7.4% 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 Waukesha 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
Waukesha (this city) 70,779 $81,651
Eau Claire 69,274 $65,369
Appleton 74,873 $77,450
Oshkosh 66,247 $61,929
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waukesha, WI?

What is the population of Waukesha, WI? +

70,779 people live in Waukesha, WI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Waukesha runs $81,651, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waukesha? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Waukesha; 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 Waukesha, WI safe? +

Waukesha has a total crime rate of 988.6 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 Waukesha, WI? +

The median home value in Waukesha is $286,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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 Editorial

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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.