City · Wisconsin
Waukesha, Waukesha County (city), Wisconsin
Waukesha, Waukesha County (city), city, in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) had 70,872 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 71,158 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 71,233 (±71). GEOID 5584250.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
70,872
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 71,158 · ACS 2020-2024: 71,233 ±71
Median household income
$83,837
±$3,179 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$315,500
±$7,127 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$1,219
±$41 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
Where is Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) and what county is it in?
Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. It covers 25.5 square miles of land, 2,788 residents per square mile in 2020.
Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) is in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city), and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 70,872 people lived in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) on July 1, 2025, down 0.4% since 2020, while Wisconsin grew 1.3%. The 2020 Census counted 71,158 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 71,233 (±71).
| Measure | Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) | Waukesha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 71,233 ±71 | 411,762 | −1,179 |
| Households | 30,567 ±598 | 168,658 | +1,161 |
| Average household size | 2.27 ±0.04 | 2.42 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 31,481 ±610 | 175,591 | +909 |
Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)'s population since 2000
From 64,825 in 2000 to 70,872 in 2025: up 9.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)?
The median resident of Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) is 36.7 years old; 19.2% are under 18 and 15.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 12.3%. 7.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) | Waukesha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.7 ±0.9 | 43.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.2% ±1.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.6% ±1.1 pts | 20.5% | – |
| Male | 48.8% ±1.1 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.3% ±1.2 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.2% ±1.6 pts | 85.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±0.7 pts | 1.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±0.5 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6% ±0.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.2% ±1.0 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.9% ±1.2 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.5% ±0.6 pts | 5.5% | – |
| With a disability | 11.7% ±1.1 pts | 9.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.9% ±0.9 pts | 3.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.8% ±0.7 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 41.7% ±1.7 pts | 48.9% | +3.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.2% ±1.1 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.0% ±1.5 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4% ±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) earn?
Half of Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)'s 30,567 households earn less than $83,837 a year (±$3,179), against $106,076 in Waukesha County and $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $80,315 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) | Waukesha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,837 ±$3,179 | $106,076 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $102,632 ±$3,866 | $137,605 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,943 ±$1,554 | $58,126 | +$3,097 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.8% ±1.4 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.0% ±4.3 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.8% ±1.0 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.1% ±0.9 pts | 96.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.3% ±0.9 pts | 94.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)?
Owners occupy 58.8% of Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)'s occupied homes and renters 41.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $315,500 by its owner (±$7,127). The median renter pays $1,219 a month including utilities, and 35.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) | Waukesha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $315,500 ±$7,127 | $398,200 | +$53,731 |
| Median gross rent | $1,219 ±$41 | $1,356 | +$57 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.8% ±3.5 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,889 ±$45 | $2,144 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.8% ±1.9 pts | 76.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.2% ±1.9 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Housing units | 31,481 ±610 | 175,591 | +909 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.2% ±1.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 50.6% ±2.0 pts | 69.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.3% ±0.8 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.5% ±1.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.3% ±0.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) building?
Builders took permits for 83 new housing units in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) in 2025 (65 in single-family houses), 1.2 per 1,000 residents against 4.3 across Wisconsin.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) work and get to work?
77.1% of Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)'s workers drive alone and 12.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) | Waukesha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 71.2% ±1.5 pts | 66.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% ±0.6 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.1% ±1.5 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.4% ±0.9 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.9% ±1.2 pts | 16.8% | +9.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min ±0.8 | 22.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)?
20 census tracts lie mostly in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city), and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $52,000 (Tract 2031.04) to $141,013 (Tract 2021.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2031.03Waukesha County | 5,157 | $91,992 |
| Tract 2024Waukesha County | 4,973 | $100,854 |
| Tract 2028Waukesha County | 4,783 | $70,870 |
| Tract 2031.06Waukesha County | 4,109 | $96,601 |
| Tract 2023.01Waukesha County | 4,585 | $111,563 |
| Tract 2029.01Waukesha County | 4,097 | $69,909 |
| Tract 2025Waukesha County | 4,113 | $84,471 |
| Tract 2031.07Waukesha County | 3,463 | $109,057 |
| Tract 2022.01Waukesha County | 3,989 | $129,900 |
| Tract 2026Waukesha County | 3,075 | $55,282 |
| Tract 2023.04Waukesha County | 3,099 | $74,615 |
| Tract 2022.04Waukesha County | 3,035 | $54,591 |
Every census tract in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city), with its figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)) · Census block assignment files
How does Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) compare with other places in Wisconsin?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) is the 551st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 8th-most populous of 608 in Wisconsin.
Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) ranks 493rd of 914 places in Wisconsin with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 8th | 608 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 624th | 884 |
| Residents per square mile | 22nd | 914 |
| Median household income | 493rd | 914 |
| Per capita income | 400th | 911 |
| Median home value | 311th | 913 |
| Median gross rent | 190th | 825 |
| Poverty rate | 238th | 706 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 132nd | 914 |
| Median age | 824th | 914 |
| Owner-occupied share | 831st | 914 |
| Work from home | 334th | 827 |
| Travel time to work | 634th | 914 |
Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)'s figures with every place in Wisconsin (CSV)
Every place in Wisconsin, sortable · Compare Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Waukesha, Waukesha County (city)?
4 of the 57 figures for Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Waukesha.