Waukesha, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waukesha, Wisconsin had a total population of 8,514, the 114th largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $130,978, which is 69% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 69% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Wisconsin.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.0% — among the lowest in Wisconsin.
- 49.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Wisconsin.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.2%.
Waukesha Quick Facts
How Waukesha 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 | 8,479 | 8,514 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $126,286 | $130,978 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $375,700 | $415,500 | +10.6% |
How Waukesha 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+)
Waukesha Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Cities Similar to Waukesha
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage Grove | 8,513 | $139,313 | $449,700 | 60.4% | 3.6% |
| Kronenwetter | 8,395 | $115,044 | $273,300 | 34.3% | 6.7% |
| Windsor | 9,452 | $120,048 | $425,600 | 43.5% | 4.5% |
| Mukwonago | 8,415 | $98,273 | $366,200 | 37.4% | 4.2% |
| Vernon | 7,481 | $120,000 | $434,700 | 43.0% | 3.0% |
Population Overview
Waukesha is a small city located in Wisconsin. The total population is 8,514. It ranks as the 114th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waukesha is 47.2 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waukesha is $130,978. This is 69% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 62% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.0%. This is 71% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.2%. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $415,500. Housing costs are 56% higher than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 92.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waukesha has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.3%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
49.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Waukesha in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% higher 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 98.0%. Notably, 16.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waukesha, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waukesha, Wisconsin?
Waukesha, Wisconsin has a population of 8,514 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waukesha, WI?
The median household income in Waukesha is $130,978, which is 62% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waukesha, WI?
The poverty rate in Waukesha is 3.0%. This means approximately 257 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waukesha, Wisconsin?
Waukesha's population is 91.9% White, 0.2% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waukesha, WI?
The median home value in Waukesha is $415,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Waukesha, Wisconsin?
49.4% of adults (25+) in Waukesha hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.