West Milwaukee, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Milwaukee, Wisconsin had a total population of 4,038, the 178th largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $49,128, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
West Milwaukee Quick Facts
How West 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 | 4,064 | 4,038 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $48,976 | $49,128 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $203,500 | $207,400 | +1.9% |
How West 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
West 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 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to West Milwaukee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley | 3,760 | $48,052 | $167,400 | 11.8% | 20.0% |
| Horicon | 3,814 | $53,465 | $172,500 | 17.9% | 14.1% |
| Barron | 3,681 | $47,469 | $121,600 | 15.3% | 17.7% |
| French Island | 4,188 | $60,202 | $207,100 | 23.6% | 13.7% |
| Clintonville | 4,580 | $53,304 | $112,000 | 20.0% | 16.7% |
Population Overview
West Milwaukee is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Milwaukee County. The total population is 4,038. It ranks as the 178th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Milwaukee is 36.2 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Milwaukee is $49,128. This is 37% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.4%. This is 93% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $207,400. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 33.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in West Milwaukee is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (17.7% vs 5.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (28.9% vs 8.0%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of West Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
West Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a population of 4,038 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Milwaukee, WI?
The median household income in West Milwaukee is $49,128, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Milwaukee, WI?
The poverty rate in West Milwaukee is 20.4%. This means approximately 823 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
West Milwaukee's population is 45.3% White, 17.7% Black, 28.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Milwaukee, WI?
The median home value in West Milwaukee is $207,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is West Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
19.6% of adults (25+) in West Milwaukee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.