Wauwatosa city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wauwatosa city, Wisconsin has a total population of 47,718, the 14th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $93,859, which is 24% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Key Takeaways
- 61.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Wisconsin.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Wauwatosa city Quick Facts
How Wauwatosa 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+)
Wauwatosa city Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Milwaukee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Allis city | 59,588 | $69,685 | 10.5% | $191,700 |
| Greenfield city | 37,361 | $69,016 | 8.1% | $247,800 |
| Oak Creek city | 36,473 | $93,120 | 4.4% | $305,100 |
| Franklin city | 35,751 | $108,342 | 6.9% | $343,400 |
| Cudahy city | 17,964 | $66,717 | 11.9% | $201,000 |
| Whitefish Bay village | 14,750 | $154,255 | 3.8% | $498,700 |
| Greendale village | 14,656 | $95,015 | 7.9% | $289,600 |
| Shorewood village | 13,682 | $89,135 | 13.4% | $423,600 |
| Glendale city | 13,134 | $77,096 | 11.2% | $260,300 |
| Brown Deer village | 12,615 | $91,567 | 8.4% | $221,100 |
Cities Similar to Wauwatosa city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Berlin city | 40,384 | $97,414 | $343,500 | 46.6% | 3.6% |
| Menomonee Falls village | 38,963 | $98,460 | $341,600 | 48.8% | 5.0% |
| Sheboygan city | 49,812 | $62,953 | $165,200 | 23.4% | 12.2% |
| Oak Creek city | 36,473 | $93,120 | $305,100 | 38.4% | 4.4% |
| Brookfield city | 41,592 | $124,026 | $419,300 | 62.8% | 3.5% |
Population Overview
Wauwatosa city is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Milwaukee County. The total population is 47,718. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wauwatosa city is 38.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wauwatosa city is $93,859. This is 24% higher than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $307,600. Housing costs are 24% higher than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wauwatosa city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.7% vs 2.9%).
Education
61.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wauwatosa city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 88% 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 97.6%. Notably, 24.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wauwatosa 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.
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 Wauwatosa city, Wisconsin?
Wauwatosa city, Wisconsin has a population of 47,718 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wauwatosa city, WI?
The median household income in Wauwatosa city is $93,859, which is 20% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wauwatosa city, WI?
The poverty rate in Wauwatosa city is 5.9%. This means approximately 2,787 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wauwatosa city, Wisconsin?
Wauwatosa city's population is 77.8% White, 6.9% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wauwatosa city, WI?
The median home value in Wauwatosa city is $307,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Wauwatosa city, Wisconsin?
61.5% of adults (25+) in Wauwatosa city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.