Milwaukee, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Milwaukee, Wisconsin had a total population of 566,973, the 1st largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $54,234, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Milwaukee is the 1st largest city in Wisconsin with a population of 566,973.
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Wisconsin (diversity index: 71/100).
Milwaukee Quick Facts
How Milwaukee Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 566,973 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $54,234 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $172,000 | $184,000 | +7.0% |
How Milwaukee Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Milwaukee Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Milwaukee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Allis | 59,612 | $67,611 | 11.5% | $203,800 |
| Wauwatosa | 48,529 | $101,138 | 5.8% | $339,000 |
| Greenfield | 37,345 | $70,459 | 8.6% | $261,100 |
| Oak Creek | 37,325 | $96,555 | 4.9% | $331,700 |
| Franklin | 35,886 | $106,894 | 6.7% | $364,200 |
| South Milwaukee | 20,442 | $73,427 | 13.1% | $235,700 |
| Cudahy | 17,853 | $66,719 | 11.4% | $216,500 |
| Whitefish Bay | 14,665 | $157,109 | 3.7% | $533,800 |
| Greendale | 14,594 | $94,769 | 8.3% | $314,200 |
| Glendale | 13,656 | $78,092 | 10.1% | $282,800 |
Cities Similar to Milwaukee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 278,001 | $78,050 | $372,900 | 59.9% | 16.4% |
| Green Bay | 106,253 | $66,206 | $207,200 | 26.7% | 14.7% |
| Kenosha | 99,372 | $71,239 | $225,200 | 29.0% | 13.7% |
| Racine | 77,633 | $57,740 | $166,500 | 21.4% | 18.2% |
| Eau Claire | 70,322 | $67,395 | $247,600 | 36.7% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
Milwaukee is a major urban center located in Wisconsin, within Milwaukee County. The total population is 566,973. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Milwaukee is 32.4 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Milwaukee is $54,234. This is 30% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 116% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 90% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $184,000. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 41.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Milwaukee is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 31.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (31.7%) is well below the state average of 78.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.9% vs 5.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.9% vs 8.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.0% vs 2.9%).
Education
27.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Milwaukee, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Wisconsin city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a population of 566,973 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Milwaukee, WI?
The median household income in Milwaukee is $54,234, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Milwaukee, WI?
The poverty rate in Milwaukee is 22.8%. This means approximately 125,891 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
Milwaukee's population is 31.7% White, 37.9% Black, 20.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Milwaukee, WI?
The median home value in Milwaukee is $184,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
27.4% of adults (25+) in Milwaukee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.