Population 12,264 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Riverwest
Household size in Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.01 | 2.51 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.97 | 2.53 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.00 | 2.51 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.75 | 2.45 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.26 | −0.06 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Riverwest is a place of small households, averaging 1.75 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.01, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Milwaukee neighborhoods have smaller households: only five of 72.
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 Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.6 | 37.8 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.8 | 38.7 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.7 | 39.6 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.1 | 39.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +1.9 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 35.1, Riverwest is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 33.6, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 13.0% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 12.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 12.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 12.2% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.5% of households in Riverwest, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Riverwest has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Milwaukee neighborhoods.
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 Riverwest
Renters in Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 64.5% | 37.2% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 68.5% | 39.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 64.9% | 39.9% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 63.5% | 39.6% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | +2.4 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Riverwest rent: 63.5% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 35.1% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged down 1.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 8.4% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 8.1% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.8% | 7.8% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.6% | 7.2% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Riverwest as nationally: 8.6%, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.2 points, as it has nationally.
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 Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1944 | 1964 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1943 | 1965 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1945 | 1966 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1950 | 1968 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Riverwest is a place of older homes: half were built before 1950, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1944 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the center.
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 Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $693 | $849 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $749 | $928 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $851 | $1,022 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,146 | $1,290 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$453 | +$441 | +$380 | +$606 |
The median renter in Riverwest pays $1,146 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $453 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 27.9% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the south; the most affordable are in the north.
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 Riverwest
Bachelor's degrees in Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.2% | 31.0% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 43.9% | 32.9% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.8% | 35.4% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 54.8% | 39.2% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.5 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Riverwest is highly educated: more than half of adults 25 and older (54.8%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 13.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Riverwest has a higher share of college graduates than at least four in five Milwaukee neighborhoods.
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 Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.4% | 88.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.5% | 89.5% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.4% | 91.0% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.9% | 92.2% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Riverwest: 94.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 8.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Riverwest has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Milwaukee neighborhoods.
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 Riverwest
| Period | Riverwest | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.8% | 7.7% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 8.7% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 4.0% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | −3.7 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Riverwest runs below the national rate: 4.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.2 points, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Riverwest compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverwest | 1.75 | 35.1 | 8.5% | 63.5% | 8.6% | 1950 | $1,146 | 54.8% | 94.9% | 4.5% |
| Harambee | 2.93 | 24.8 | 33.8% | 66.8% | 14.9% | 1945 | $1,040 | 17.1% | 84.1% | 13.1% |
| Murray Hill | 1.80 | 33.1 | 4.4% | 81.0% | 7.3% | 1947 | $1,300 | 63.6% | 98.4% | 4.3% |
| Upper East Side | 2.56 | 27.7 | 4.4% | 58.9% | 11.9% | 1939 | $1,618 | 66.1% | 97.4% | 4.0% |
| Downer Woods | 2.86 | 24.2 | 4.5% | 43.7% | 14.8% | 1941 | $1,689 | 73.7% | 99.1% | 6.1% |
| Northpoint | 1.52 | 48.3 | 3.5% | 78.8% | 12.3% | 1963 | $1,602 | 73.9% | 98.9% | 4.2% |
| Lower East Side | 1.48 | 32.6 | 1.1% | 80.2% | 9.0% | 1969 | $1,336 | 65.9% | 96.0% | 4.6% |
| Borchert Field | 2.48 | 27.3 | 36.8% | 65.8% | 19.1% | 1939 | $1,147 | 8.1% | 83.9% | 13.8% |
| North Division | 2.61 | 34.1 | 27.3% | 66.2% | 21.1% | 1940 | $974 | 11.0% | 84.1% | 10.6% |
| Yankee Hill | 1.45 | 34.8 | 0.7% | 89.7% | 9.6% | 1955 | $1,136 | 64.8% | 95.3% | 4.0% |
| Arlington Heights | 2.76 | 32.2 | 33.3% | 71.5% | 24.9% | 1938 | $1,106 | 10.7% | 88.8% | 13.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Pine Hills, Albany, NY · Marina-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA · Martha Lake, Lynnwood, WA · Martin Luther, Chicago, IL · Mount Washington, Cincinnati, OH · Mt Pleasant, Cleveland, OH · Myers Park, Charlotte, NC · Near East, Columbus, OH · Original Daly City, Daly City, CA · Otay Mesa West, San Diego, 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 Riverwest. 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.
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