Population 411,762 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Waukesha County
Household size in Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.57 | 2.51 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.56 | 2.53 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.53 | 2.51 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.45 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.09 | −0.06 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
The average household in Waukesha County has 2.49 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.57, in line with the national trend. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the north.
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 Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.5 | 37.8 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.2 | 38.7 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.2 | 39.6 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.2 | 39.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.7 | +1.9 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.2, Waukesha County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.5, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the west.
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 Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 13.0% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.5% | 12.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 12.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 12.2% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Waukesha County: 6.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged down 0.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Waukesha County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Wisconsin counties.
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 Waukesha County
Renters in Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.3% | 37.2% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.2% | 39.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.7% | 39.9% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.0% | 39.6% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +2.4 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.0% of households in Waukesha County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 34.8% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 1.7 points, mirroring the country.
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 Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 8.4% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 8.1% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 7.8% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 7.2% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 5.2% of homes in Waukesha County are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy is down 0.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only six of Wisconsin's 72 counties have a lower vacancy rate.
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 Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1964 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1965 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1966 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1968 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Waukesha County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in the wider Milwaukee area, where the median home dates to 1968. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the east.
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 Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $973 | $849 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,067 | $928 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,181 | $1,022 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,484 | $1,290 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$511 | +$441 | +$380 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Waukesha County costs $1,484 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in the wider Milwaukee area ($1,290). Rents are up $511 a month from 2006–10, a 53% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Only one other Wisconsin county has higher rents.
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 Waukesha County
Bachelor's degrees in Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.5% | 31.0% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 41.4% | 32.9% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.8% | 35.4% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 49.2% | 39.2% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.7 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Waukesha County is highly educated: about half of adults 25 and older (49.2%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 9.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only two of Wisconsin's 72 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.1% | 88.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.7% | 89.5% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.2% | 91.0% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.2% | 92.2% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Waukesha County: 97.2% 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 2.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Wisconsin county has a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Waukesha County
| Period | Waukesha County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 7.7% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.1% | 8.7% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 4.0% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −3.7 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Waukesha County has been low: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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).
Waukesha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha County | 2.49 | 44.2 | 6.5% | 24.0% | 5.2% | 1981 | $1,484 | 49.2% | 97.2% | 2.3% |
| Milwaukee County | 2.43 | 36.6 | 15.9% | 50.1% | 8.7% | 1958 | $1,176 | 34.0% | 88.9% | 5.1% |
| 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% |
| Iowa County | 2.35 | 44.2 | 7.5% | 22.6% | 8.7% | 1972 | $1,006 | 28.5% | 94.9% | 3.0% |
| Ottawa County | 2.68 | 38.3 | 8.0% | 20.7% | 6.2% | 1987 | $1,285 | 40.0% | 93.8% | 3.4% |
| Kent County | 2.63 | 37.4 | 10.6% | 29.7% | 5.8% | 1976 | $1,388 | 40.7% | 92.0% | 4.1% |
| Crawford County | 2.29 | 47.5 | 8.3% | 22.8% | 19.4% | 1977 | $809 | 18.7% | 92.7% | 3.0% |
| Ionia County | 2.69 | 39.8 | 11.0% | 22.7% | 7.1% | 1969 | $941 | 18.6% | 90.8% | 3.8% |
| Shiawassee County | 2.43 | 43.9 | 10.2% | 19.9% | 7.8% | 1967 | $959 | 20.3% | 92.6% | 3.8% |
| Chickasaw County | 2.36 | 43.1 | 7.5% | 19.1% | 9.6% | 1966 | $717 | 21.3% | 93.7% | 1.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Spartanburg County, SC · Fayette County, KY · Forsyth County, NC · Galveston County, TX · Genesee County, MI · Hamilton County, IN · Hamilton County, TN · Henrico County, VA · Horry County, SC · Howard County, MD
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 Waukesha 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.
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