Waukesha city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Waukesha city, Wisconsin has a total population of 70,779, the 7th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $81,651, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.
Waukesha city Quick Facts
How Waukesha 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+)
Waukesha city Rankings in Wisconsin
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Other Cities in Waukesha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee city | 569,756 | $51,888 | 23.3% | $172,000 |
| 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 |
| South Milwaukee city | 20,547 | $70,146 | 12.5% | $216,400 |
| 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 Waukesha city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton city | 74,873 | $77,450 | $211,500 | 37.0% | 8.5% |
| Eau Claire city | 69,274 | $65,369 | $228,000 | 35.0% | 14.2% |
| Janesville city | 65,813 | $71,664 | $209,700 | 26.9% | 9.6% |
| Oshkosh city | 66,247 | $61,929 | $168,400 | 27.3% | 15.9% |
| West Allis city | 59,588 | $69,685 | $191,700 | 29.4% | 10.5% |
Population Overview
Waukesha city is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Waukesha County. The total population is 70,779. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waukesha city is 36.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waukesha city is $81,651. This is 8% higher than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% higher. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $286,600. Housing costs are 16% higher than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 59.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waukesha city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.3% vs 7.8%).
Education
40.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% higher 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 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waukesha 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 Waukesha city, Wisconsin?
Waukesha city, Wisconsin has a population of 70,779 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waukesha city, WI?
The median household income in Waukesha city is $81,651, which is 4% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Waukesha city, WI?
The poverty rate in Waukesha city is 10.3%. This means approximately 7,092 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waukesha city, Wisconsin?
Waukesha city's population is 78.3% White, 3.2% Black, 12.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waukesha city, WI?
The median home value in Waukesha city is $286,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Waukesha city, Wisconsin?
40.7% of adults (25+) in Waukesha city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.