South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin had a total population of 20,442, the 41st largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $73,427, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
South Milwaukee Quick Facts
How South 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 | 20,547 | 20,442 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $70,146 | $73,427 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $216,400 | $235,700 | +8.9% |
How South 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
South Milwaukee Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Milwaukee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 566,973 | $54,234 | 22.8% | $184,000 |
| 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 |
| 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 South Milwaukee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Crossing | 19,131 | $79,187 | $248,100 | 33.3% | 8.2% |
| Howard | 21,087 | $85,477 | $315,700 | 35.8% | 5.1% |
| Watertown | 22,774 | $70,107 | $222,100 | 18.2% | 9.9% |
| Onalaska | 19,348 | $85,867 | $288,900 | 41.7% | 6.0% |
| Menasha | 18,273 | $64,698 | $191,800 | 25.8% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
South Milwaukee is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Milwaukee County. The total population is 20,442. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Milwaukee is 40.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Milwaukee is $73,427. This is 5% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.1%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $235,700. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Milwaukee is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.2%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.2% vs 8.0%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
29.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South 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 South Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
South Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a population of 20,442 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Milwaukee, WI?
The median household income in South Milwaukee is $73,427, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Milwaukee, WI?
The poverty rate in South Milwaukee is 13.1%. This means approximately 2,645 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
South Milwaukee's population is 77.2% White, 2.5% Black, 12.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Milwaukee, WI?
The median home value in South Milwaukee is $235,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is South Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
29.9% of adults (25+) in South Milwaukee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.