Population 13,013 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Silver Spring
Household size in Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.05 | 2.51 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.07 | 2.53 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.03 | 2.51 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.80 | 2.45 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.25 | −0.06 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Silver Spring holds 2.80 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 3.05 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.3 | 37.8 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.4 | 38.7 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.3 | 39.6 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 26.9 | 39.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.6 | +1.9 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 26.9, Silver Spring is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults in their twenties. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 25.3, in line with the national trend. Of Milwaukee's 72 neighborhoods, only five are 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 Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.1% | 13.0% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 34.4% | 12.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 31.6% | 12.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 36.9% | 12.2% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Silver Spring: 36.9% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only four of Milwaukee's 72 neighborhoods have 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 Silver Spring
Renters in Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.2% | 37.2% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 58.4% | 39.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 64.6% | 39.9% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 68.6% | 39.6% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +16.4 pts | +2.4 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Silver Spring rent: 68.6% 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, 40.9% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 16.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 8.4% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 8.1% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.0% | 7.8% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 7.2% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Silver Spring than nationally: 7.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The Milwaukee area as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy has fallen 3.0 points since 2006–10, 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 Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1958 | 1964 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1959 | 1965 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1966 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1964 | 1968 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Silver Spring is a place of older homes: half were built before 1964, 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 1958 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $743 | $849 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $806 | $928 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $888 | $1,022 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,101 | $1,290 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$358 | +$441 | +$380 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Silver Spring costs $1,101 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $358 a month from 2006–10, a 48% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 36.6% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the northwest and lowest in the southeast.
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 Silver Spring
Bachelor's degrees in Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 31.0% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 32.9% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.0% | 35.4% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.3% | 39.2% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Silver Spring: 9.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the east.
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 Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.2% | 88.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 75.2% | 89.5% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.2% | 91.0% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.1% | 92.2% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.9 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in six adults in Silver Spring never finished high school, well above the national share: only 84.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 12.9 points, 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 Silver Spring
| Period | Silver Spring | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.4% | 7.7% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.2% | 8.7% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.1% | 4.0% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.3 pts | −3.7 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Silver Spring than nationally: unemployment was 6.1%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 6.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Silver Spring 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Spring | 2.80 | 26.9 | 36.9% | 68.6% | 7.8% | 1964 | $1,101 | 9.3% | 84.1% | 6.1% |
| Long View | 2.86 | 36.2 | 20.9% | 50.0% | 9.6% | 1953 | $1,356 | 9.3% | 90.4% | 4.0% |
| McGovern Park | 2.75 | 32.8 | 37.1% | 55.9% | 9.2% | 1961 | $1,324 | 6.8% | 81.7% | 13.0% |
| Valhalla | 2.74 | 27.0 | 48.6% | 81.4% | 16.3% | 1967 | $1,084 | 15.1% | 90.5% | 11.4% |
| Hampton Heights | 3.08 | 33.9 | 28.5% | 44.9% | 11.2% | 1954 | $1,298 | 14.9% | 80.3% | 16.5% |
| Menomonee River Hills East | 3.07 | 32.7 | 20.6% | 39.1% | 13.0% | 1966 | $1,136 | 17.5% | 87.2% | 10.3% |
| Columbus Park | 2.58 | 31.4 | 23.8% | 47.0% | 10.2% | 1956 | $1,033 | 14.6% | 87.0% | 6.9% |
| Menomonee River Hills | 2.97 | 32.6 | 23.1% | 44.0% | 9.1% | 1963 | $1,021 | 20.7% | 87.7% | 9.0% |
| Silver Swan | 3.09 | 26.7 | 33.3% | 72.8% | 7.1% | 1963 | $1,136 | 13.1% | 85.5% | 7.0% |
| Capitol Heights | 2.82 | 38.8 | 28.0% | 41.5% | 3.9% | 1956 | $1,121 | 15.7% | 85.6% | 11.0% |
| Thurston Woods | 2.45 | 34.3 | 22.2% | 53.5% | 7.3% | 1959 | $969 | 16.8% | 91.1% | 13.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Broadway Junction, Brooklyn, NY · Pinehurst, Everett, WA · Schiller Park, Buffalo, NY · New City, Chicago, IL · Near East, Dallas, TX · Mount Pleasant, Washington, DC · Southgate, Portland, OR · Idle Hour, Lexington, KY · Huffman-O'Malley, Anchorage, AK · Wakefield Park, Annandale, VA
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 Silver Spring. 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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