Population 926,331 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Milwaukee County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Milwaukee County
Household size in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.47 | 2.51 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.51 | 2.53 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.51 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.45 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | −0.06 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
The average household in Milwaukee County has 2.43 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.47, in line with the national trend. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.5 | 37.8 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.7 | 38.7 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.7 | 39.6 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.6 | 39.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.1 | +1.9 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Milwaukee County is 36.6 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 35.5 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Wisconsin county is younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.7% | 13.0% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 12.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.9% | 12.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.9% | 12.2% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in six households in Milwaukee County (15.9%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.8 points, as it has nationally. Only one other Wisconsin county has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Milwaukee County
Renters in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.6% | 37.2% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 49.3% | 39.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 50.5% | 39.9% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 50.1% | 39.6% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +2.4 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Milwaukee County: 50.1% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 37.6% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.5 points, mirroring the country. Milwaukee County has the highest share of renters of any Wisconsin county.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 8.4% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 8.1% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 7.8% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.7% | 7.2% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Milwaukee County is close to the national rate: 8.7% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 1.2 points, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1964 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1955 | 1965 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1956 | 1966 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1958 | 1968 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Milwaukee County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1958, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing. Milwaukee County has the oldest homes of any Wisconsin county.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $803 | $849 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $859 | $928 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $947 | $1,022 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,176 | $1,290 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$373 | +$441 | +$380 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Milwaukee County costs $1,176 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $373 a month from 2006–10, a 47% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.9% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Milwaukee County
Bachelor's degrees in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.9% | 31.0% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.6% | 32.9% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.6% | 35.4% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.0% | 39.2% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.2 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Milwaukee County (34.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the Milwaukee area overall (39.2%). The share with a degree has risen 7.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.5% | 88.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.7% | 89.5% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.6% | 91.0% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.9% | 92.2% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Milwaukee County have finished high school as nationally: 88.9%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Milwaukee area as a whole (92.2%). The share with a diploma has risen 4.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Milwaukee County
| Period | Milwaukee County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 7.7% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.1% | 8.7% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 4.0% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | −3.7 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.1%, unemployment in Milwaukee County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the wider Milwaukee area (4.0%). Unemployment has fallen 4.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Milwaukee County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee County | 2.43 | 36.6 | 15.9% | 50.1% | 8.7% | 1958 | $1,176 | 34.0% | 88.9% | 5.1% |
| Waukesha County | 2.49 | 44.2 | 6.5% | 24.0% | 5.2% | 1981 | $1,484 | 49.2% | 97.2% | 2.3% |
| Jefferson County | 2.41 | 42.1 | 8.8% | 26.9% | 6.3% | 1974 | $1,074 | 28.9% | 92.3% | 3.6% |
| Dane County | 2.29 | 37.9 | 8.0% | 42.9% | 5.0% | 1985 | $1,441 | 55.4% | 95.3% | 2.5% |
| Ottawa County | 2.68 | 38.3 | 8.0% | 20.7% | 6.2% | 1987 | $1,285 | 40.0% | 93.8% | 3.4% |
| Iowa County | 2.35 | 44.2 | 7.5% | 22.6% | 8.7% | 1972 | $1,006 | 28.5% | 94.9% | 3.0% |
| Kent County | 2.63 | 37.4 | 10.6% | 29.7% | 5.8% | 1976 | $1,388 | 40.7% | 92.0% | 4.1% |
| Ionia County | 2.69 | 39.8 | 11.0% | 22.7% | 7.1% | 1969 | $941 | 18.6% | 90.8% | 3.8% |
| Crawford County | 2.29 | 47.5 | 8.3% | 22.8% | 19.4% | 1977 | $809 | 18.7% | 92.7% | 3.0% |
| Shiawassee County | 2.43 | 43.9 | 10.2% | 19.9% | 7.8% | 1967 | $959 | 20.3% | 92.6% | 3.8% |
| Genesee County | 2.47 | 41.3 | 14.9% | 29.3% | 8.6% | 1972 | $1,119 | 23.7% | 91.6% | 8.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Suffolk County, NY · Salt Lake County, UT · Pima County, AZ · Palm Beach County, FL · Oakland County, MI · New York County, NY · Westchester County, NY · Wayne County, MI · Orange County, FL · Sacramento County, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Milwaukee County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.