County · Wisconsin
Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Waukesha County had 417,210 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.5% since 2020, faster than Wisconsin (+1.3%). It holds 40 places (30 cities, villages and boroughs, 8 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 98 census tracts. GEOID 55133.
Waukesha 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
417,210
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 406,978 · ACS 2020-2024: 411,762
Median household income
$106,076
±$1,512 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$398,200
±$3,967 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$1,356
±$22 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
How many people live in Waukesha County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 406,978 residents in Waukesha County. The Census Bureau estimates 417,210 for July 1, 2025, up 2.5% since 2020, faster than Wisconsin (+1.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 411,762 over 550 square miles of land.
| Measure | Waukesha County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 411,762 | 5,914,872 | +11,287 |
| Households | 168,658±701 | 2,479,480 | +9,850 |
| Average household size | 2.42±0.01 | 2.33 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 175,591±121 | 2,778,572 | +9,927 |
Waukesha County's population since 2000
From 360,767 in 2000 to 417,210 in 2025: up 15.6%. 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 Waukesha County?
Waukesha County holds 40 places: 30 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 8 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) with 70,872 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waukesha, Waukesha County (city) | 71,158 | $83,837 |
|---|---|---|
| Brookfield | 41,464 | $129,548 |
| New Berlin | 40,451 | $101,091 |
| Menomonee Falls | 38,527 | $100,238 |
| Muskego | 25,032 | $112,221 |
| Oconomowoc | 18,203 | $106,425 |
| Pewaukee, Waukesha County (city) | 15,914 | $108,350 |
| Sussex | 11,487 | $119,041 |
| Lisbon | – | $123,720 |
| Hartland | 9,501 | $87,754 |
| Oconomowoc (town) | 8,836 | $114,782 |
| Waukesha, Waukesha County (village) | – | $130,978 |
| Merton (town) | 8,277 | $119,297 |
| Pewaukee, Waukesha County (village) | 8,238 | $62,139 |
| Delafield (town) | 8,095 | $158,353 |
| Mukwonago | 8,262 | $98,273 |
| Mukwonago (town) | 7,781 | $137,283 |
| Vernon | – | $120,000 |
| Delafield | 7,185 | $94,806 |
| Genesee (town) | 7,171 | $118,578 |
| Elm Grove | 6,513 | $158,016 |
| Brookfield (town) | 6,477 | $89,323 |
| Okauchee Lake | 5,094 | $131,170 |
| Summit | 4,784 | $140,682 |
| Ottawa (town) | 3,646 | $153,018 |
| Eagle (town), Waukesha County | 3,478 | $125,792 |
| Merton | 3,441 | $173,913 |
| Wales | 2,862 | $109,024 |
| Dousman | 2,419 | $96,513 |
| North Prairie | 2,202 | $152,798 |
| Eagle | 2,071 | $112,083 |
| Butler | 1,787 | $60,000 |
| Big Bend | 1,483 | $134,615 |
| Lannon | 1,355 | $83,889 |
| Nashotah | 1,321 | $148,403 |
| Oconomowoc Lake | 566 | $250,000 or more |
| Chenequa | 526 | $223,750 |
| Lac La BelleGEOID 5540750 | 281 | $213,958 |
| North LakeGEOID 5558100 | 247 | $67,321 |
| Milwaukee | 577,222 | $54,234 |
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 Waukesha County?
The median resident of Waukesha County is 43.5 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.7%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Waukesha County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5±0.1 | 40.2 | +0.3 |
| Under 18 years | 21.0% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.5% | 18.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.7% | 8.0% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.0%±0.2 pts | 78.6% | −3.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.1 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 3.2%±0.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | +0.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.7%±0.4 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5%±0.3 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 9.7%±0.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.1%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | +0.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.2%±0.2 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 48.9%±0.8 pts | 33.4% | +4.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.8%±0.5 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±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 Waukesha County earn?
Half of Waukesha County's 168,658 households earn less than $106,076 a year (±$1,512), against $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $107,411 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Waukesha County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $106,076±$1,512 | $77,485 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $137,605±$2,163 | $101,466 | – |
| Per capita income | $58,126±$1,354 | $43,373 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.2%±0.3 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.9%±0.9 pts | 12.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.4%±0.3 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.0%±0.5 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 Waukesha County?
Owners occupy 76.0% of Waukesha County's occupied homes and renters 24.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $398,200 by its owner (±$3,967). The median renter pays $1,356 a month including utilities, and 35.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Waukesha County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $398,200±$3,967 | $266,500 | +$50,775 |
| Median gross rent | $1,356±$22 | $1,087 | +$69 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.6%±1.9 pts | 35.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,144±$25 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.0%±0.8 pts | 67.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 175,591±121 | 2,778,572 | +9,927 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0%±0.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.0%±0.7 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.1%±0.4 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 Waukesha County building?
Builders took permits for 1,178 new housing units across Waukesha County in 2025 (963 single-family), 2.8 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 Waukesha County get to work?
76.1% of Waukesha County's workers drive alone and 16.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.3%.
| Measure | Waukesha County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.6%±0.4 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3%±0.2 pts | 3.2% | −0.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.1%±0.7 pts | 74.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.1%±0.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.1 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.8%±0.6 pts | 13.1% | +11.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.6 min±0.3 | 22.2 min | −1.4 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 Waukesha County's census tracts?
Waukesha County is divided into 98 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,000 (Tract 2031.04) to $173,560 (Tract 2034.05).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Waukesha County compare with Wisconsin's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 3rd of 72 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 21st of 72 |
| Residents per square mile | 2nd of 72 |
| Median household income | 1st of 72 |
| Median home value | 1st of 72 |
| Median gross rent | 2nd of 72 |
| Poverty rate | 71st of 72 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 3rd of 72 |
| Median age | 39th 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 Waukesha 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.