County · Wisconsin
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Milwaukee County had 924,216 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.6% since 2020, while Wisconsin grew 1.3%. It holds 19 places (19 cities, villages and boroughs) and 302 census tracts. GEOID 55079.
Milwaukee County is one of the 4 counties of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
924,216
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 939,489 · ACS 2020-2024: 926,331
Median household income
$64,435
±$1,218 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$230,700
±$2,063 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$1,101
±$8 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
How many people live in Milwaukee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 939,489 residents in Milwaukee County. The Census Bureau estimates 924,216 for July 1, 2025, down 1.6% since 2020, while Wisconsin grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 926,331 over 241 square miles of land.
| Measure | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 926,331 | 5,914,872 | −24,895 |
| Households | 392,399±1,628 | 2,479,480 | +10,224 |
| Average household size | 2.31±0.01 | 2.33 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 426,715±391 | 2,778,572 | +7,849 |
Milwaukee County's population since 2000
From 940,164 in 2000 to 924,216 in 2025: down 1.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Milwaukee County?
Milwaukee County holds 19 places: 19 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Milwaukee with 562,407 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Milwaukee | 577,222 | $54,234 |
|---|---|---|
| West Allis | 60,325 | $67,611 |
| Wauwatosa | 48,387 | $101,138 |
| Greenfield | 37,803 | $70,459 |
| Franklin | 36,816 | $106,894 |
| Oak Creek | 36,497 | $96,555 |
| South Milwaukee | 20,795 | $73,427 |
| Cudahy | 18,204 | $66,719 |
| Whitefish Bay | 14,954 | $157,109 |
| Greendale | 14,854 | $94,769 |
| Shorewood | 13,859 | $86,726 |
| Glendale | 13,357 | $78,092 |
| Brown Deer | 12,507 | $93,974 |
| St. Francis | 9,161 | $57,368 |
| Hales Corners | 7,720 | $87,740 |
| Fox Point | 6,934 | $141,467 |
| Bayside | 4,482 | $160,096 |
| West Milwaukee | 4,114 | $49,128 |
| River Hills | 1,602 | $204,427 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Milwaukee County?
The median resident of Milwaukee County is 35.5 years old; 23.7% are under 18 and 14.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 48.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 25.4%. 9.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.5±0.1 | 40.2 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 23.7% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.7%±0.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.0% | 8.0% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 48.1%±0.1 pts | 78.6% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 25.4%±0.2 pts | 5.9% | −0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.8%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±0.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.9%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 18.6%±0.3 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3%±0.2 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 12.9%±0.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.2%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.5%±0.3 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.7%±0.4 pts | 33.4% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.6%±0.3 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±0.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 Milwaukee County earn?
Half of Milwaukee County's 392,399 households earn less than $64,435 a year (±$1,218), against $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,280 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $2,155 after inflation. 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,435±$1,218 | $77,485 | +$2,155 |
| Mean household income | $88,840±$1,153 | $101,466 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,385±$466 | $43,373 | +$2,363 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.2%±0.5 pts | 10.6% | −1.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.7%±1.3 pts | 12.8% | −3.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.5%±0.6 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.6%±0.4 pts | 90.3% | – |
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 Milwaukee County?
Owners occupy 49.9% of Milwaukee County's occupied homes and renters 50.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $230,700 by its owner (±$2,063). The median renter pays $1,101 a month including utilities, and 40.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $230,700±$2,063 | $266,500 | +$35,881 |
| Median gross rent | $1,101±$8 | $1,087 | +$18 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.1%±1.1 pts | 35.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,688±$14 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 49.9%±0.7 pts | 67.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 426,715±391 | 2,778,572 | +7,849 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.1%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 45.2%±0.6 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.8%±0.5 pts | 17.8% | – |
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 Milwaukee County building?
Builders took permits for 1,046 new housing units across Milwaukee County in 2025 (186 single-family), 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Milwaukee County get to work?
68.9% of Milwaukee County's workers drive alone and 14.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.1%±0.4 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±0.3 pts | 3.2% | −0.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 68.9%±0.6 pts | 74.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5%±0.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.4%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 3.0%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.4%±0.4 pts | 13.1% | +10.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min±0.2 | 22.2 min | −0.3 min |
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 are Milwaukee County's census tracts?
Milwaukee County is divided into 302 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $12,130 (Tract 1864) to $224,750 (Tract 702).
All 302 census tracts of Milwaukee County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Milwaukee County compare with Wisconsin's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 1st of 72 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 72nd of 72 |
| Residents per square mile | 1st of 72 |
| Median household income | 58th of 72 |
| Median home value | 34th of 72 |
| Median gross rent | 8th of 72 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 72 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th of 72 |
| Median age | 71st of 72 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Milwaukee County 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' school search.