Wauwatosa, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin had a total population of 48,529, the 14th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $101,138, which is 31% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Wisconsin.
- 64.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Wisconsin.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Wauwatosa Quick Facts
How Wauwatosa 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 | 47,718 | 48,529 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $93,859 | $101,138 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $307,600 | $339,000 | +10.2% |
How Wauwatosa 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+)
Wauwatosa 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 |
| 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 |
| South Milwaukee | 20,442 | $73,427 | 13.1% | $235,700 |
| 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 Wauwatosa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Berlin | 40,270 | $101,091 | $365,700 | 47.3% | 4.1% |
| Menomonee Falls | 39,539 | $100,238 | $368,000 | 48.2% | 5.2% |
| Sheboygan | 49,645 | $62,927 | $174,200 | 23.4% | 12.3% |
| Oak Creek | 37,325 | $96,555 | $331,700 | 39.4% | 4.9% |
| Brookfield | 41,273 | $129,548 | $443,900 | 64.3% | 3.2% |
Population Overview
Wauwatosa is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Milwaukee County. The total population is 48,529. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wauwatosa is 38.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wauwatosa is $101,138. This is 31% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 25% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.8%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $339,000. Housing costs are 27% higher than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wauwatosa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.6% vs 2.9%).
Education
64.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wauwatosa in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 92% 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 98.2%. Notably, 26.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa, Wisconsin?
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin has a population of 48,529 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wauwatosa, WI?
The median household income in Wauwatosa is $101,138, which is 25% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wauwatosa, WI?
The poverty rate in Wauwatosa is 5.8%. This means approximately 2,780 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin?
Wauwatosa's population is 77.6% White, 7.1% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wauwatosa, WI?
The median home value in Wauwatosa is $339,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Wauwatosa, Wisconsin?
64.0% of adults (25+) in Wauwatosa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.