South Milwaukee city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, South Milwaukee city, Wisconsin has a total population of 20,547, the 40th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $70,146, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
South Milwaukee city Quick Facts
How South Milwaukee city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 36 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
South Milwaukee city Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Waukesha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee city | 569,756 | $51,888 | 23.3% | $172,000 |
| Waukesha city | 70,779 | $81,651 | 10.3% | $286,600 |
| Brookfield city | 41,592 | $124,026 | 3.5% | $419,300 |
| Menomonee Falls village | 38,963 | $98,460 | 5.0% | $341,600 |
| Muskego city | 25,156 | $116,361 | 3.4% | $390,900 |
| Oconomowoc city | 18,385 | $105,833 | 7.2% | $367,700 |
| Pewaukee city | 16,002 | $112,093 | 2.9% | $434,700 |
| Sussex village | 11,795 | $112,031 | 5.6% | $384,900 |
| Hartland village | 9,716 | $87,297 | 7.5% | $358,000 |
| Waukesha village | 8,479 | $126,286 | 2.4% | $375,700 |
Cities Similar to South Milwaukee city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard village | 20,261 | $84,896 | $286,200 | 34.9% | 5.4% |
| Fox Crossing village | 18,960 | $74,423 | $228,000 | 34.2% | 7.9% |
| Watertown city | 22,873 | $68,333 | $211,500 | 19.0% | 10.0% |
| Cudahy city | 17,964 | $66,717 | $201,000 | 27.1% | 11.9% |
| Menasha city | 18,130 | $64,392 | $169,200 | 24.4% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
South Milwaukee city is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Waukesha County. The total population is 20,547. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Milwaukee city is 40.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Milwaukee city is $70,146. This is 7% lower than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 18% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $216,400. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Milwaukee city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.1%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 6.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.1% vs 7.8%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
27.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 32.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Milwaukee city, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 807 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of South Milwaukee city, Wisconsin?
South Milwaukee city, Wisconsin has a population of 20,547 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Milwaukee city, WI?
The median household income in South Milwaukee city is $70,146, which is 11% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in South Milwaukee city, WI?
The poverty rate in South Milwaukee city is 12.5%. This means approximately 2,544 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Milwaukee city, Wisconsin?
South Milwaukee city's population is 78.4% White, 2.4% Black, 13.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Milwaukee city, WI?
The median home value in South Milwaukee city is $216,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is South Milwaukee city, Wisconsin?
27.7% of adults (25+) in South Milwaukee city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.