Wisconsin · GEOID 55079

Milwaukee County

2024 ACS 5-year estimates · population 926,331 · 426,715 housing units

Median household income

$64,435

State $78,421

Median home value

$230,700

State $270,495

Median gross rent

$1,101

State $1,096

Homeownership rate

49.9%

State 67.8%

Renter cost-burden rate

48.4%

≥30% of income

Owner cost-burden rate

22.5%

≥30% of income

Homeowner vacancy

0.7%

Of owner-occupied + for-sale units

Rental vacancy

6.1%

Of renter-occupied + for-rent units

Overall vacancy

8.0%

All housing units

Price-to-income ratio

3.58

Affordable: 2.0–3.0

Section 1

Community Profile

Population, demographics, household composition, and income.

Community Data Summary

	Milwaukee County	Wisconsin
Population	926,331	5,914,872
Population density (per sq. mi.)	3,836.42	—
Median household income	$64,435	$78,421
HUD Area Median Income (4-person, 100%)	$108,400	—
Households	392,399	—
Average household size	2.31 people	—
Owner-occupied	49.9%	67.8%
Renter-occupied	50.1%	32.2%
Race	50.5% White · 25.9% Black	0.0% White · 0.0% Black

Source: ACS 5-year 2024 (Tables DP05, S1101, DP04, S1901) and Census Gazetteer (land area); HUD FY2026 Income Limits.

Racial composition

Milwaukee County compared with Wisconsin.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP05.

Educational attainment (population 25+)

34.7% hold a bachelor's degree or higher (state: 33.4%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1501.

Median Household Income by Tenure

Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied household income, county and state.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25119.

Median Household Income by Age of Householder

Median household income by age group of householder.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B19049.

Median Household Income by Number of Earners

Median household income for families with each earner count.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903.

Household Size

Distribution of households by number of people.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2501.

Income by Number of Earners

Earners	Share	Median income	Attainable monthly housing cost	Attainable home
0 earners	14.0%	$45,287	$1,132	$137,554
1 earner	35.4%	$54,008	$1,350	$170,017
2 earners	40.0%	$116,152	$2,904	$401,338
3+ earners	10.6%	$143,395	$3,585	$502,745

Attainable monthly housing cost = 30% of gross income ÷ 12. Attainable home price assumes 30% housing budget, 30-yr mortgage at 7%, 5% down.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903; affordability formula derived.

Households

392,399

Average size: 2.31 people

Households with children

95,643

24.4% of households

Per-capita income

$38,385

Poverty rate: 15.4%

Section 2

Residential Market Analysis

Housing stock characteristics — tenure, type, age, size, vacancy, rents.

Tenure

49.9% owner-occupied vs. state average 67.8%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Structure type

Single-family share 49.6% · Missing middle (2–19 units) 32.8%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25024.

Housing stock by decade

78.6% built before 1980 · Median structure age 1,957.00 yrs.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2504.

Housing size mismatch

Compares the share of housing units by bedroom count against the share of households by size — a common diagnostic of housing supply/demand alignment.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Tables B25041 (bedrooms) and S2501 (household size).

Home value distribution

Owner-occupied homes by value bracket. Median: $230,700.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Monthly Housing Costs

Distribution of monthly housing costs across all occupied units.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25104.

Number of Bedrooms

Housing units by number of bedrooms.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25041.

Median rent by bedroom

Overall median gross rent: $1,101.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25031.

Renters by age

Number of renter householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Owners by age

Number of owner householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Vacancy composition

All 34,316 vacant units split into Census's seven categories. Frictional vacancy (units actively on the market) reflects healthy churn. Structural vacancy (seasonal, migrant, other) sits outside the market for year-round residents — high values change how the headline vacancy rate should be read.

Vacant units by type

For sale 4.2% · For rent 37.7% · Seasonal 4.4% · Other 48.7%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Frictional vs structural

46.9% of vacancy is frictional (for sale + for rent + rented/sold not yet occupied); 53.1% is structural (seasonal + migrant + other).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Seasonal / recreational share of all housing

0.4%

1,509 units of 426,715 total

Housing units held for seasonal or recreational use.

"Other vacant" share of all housing

3.9%

16,723 units of 426,715 total

Census "Other vacant" — units off the market for reasons other than seasonal, migrant, sale, or rental.

Section 3

Workforce Housing Needs Assessment

Affordability, cost burden, and the housing options for households in the workforce income range.

Workforce range — ACS median household income

80% MHI$51,548

100% MHI$64,435

120% MHI$77,322

County-wide median from ACS 5-year estimates. A household at 100% MHI in Milwaukee County should be able to afford a home up to roughly — (30% housing budget, default mortgage terms).

Workforce range — HUD Area Median Income

	1-person	2-person	4-person
80% AMI	$60,700	$69,400	$86,700
100% AMI	$75,880	$86,720	$108,400
120% AMI	$91,050	$104,050	$130,100

HUD FMR Area: Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA. 80% AMI uses HUD's published Section 8 Low Income Limits; 100% is HUD MFI; 120% is the standard workforce convention.

Affordability calculator

Follows the standard 30%-of-gross-income affordability rule.

Income basis Household income Interest rate % Down payment % Taxes & insurance / yr

Affordable monthly—

Affordable home price—

Renter cost burden

48.4% of renter households spend ≥30% of income on rent (24.9% spend ≥50%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25070.

Owner cost burden by income

22.5% of homeowners spend ≥30% of income on housing. Bars show counts of cost-burdened owners by income bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25106.

Household income — owners vs renters

Distribution of household income for owner-occupied (navy) and renter-occupied (gold) households.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25118.

Section 4

Industry & Workforce Wages

Employment, average wages, and the housing each industry's typical earner can afford in Milwaukee County.

Covered employment

443,730

Across 20 sectors

Establishments

29,418

QCEW 2024

Avg annual pay (workforce)

$69,608

Employment-weighted across sectors

Top 10 sectors by employment

Annual average employment by NAICS 2-digit sector. Counties with fewer than five covered establishments in a sector may show suppressed totals.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024.

Attainable housing by industry

Industry	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 62 Health care and social assistance NAICS 62	98,674	$60,855	$195,503	−$35,197	$1,521
NAICS 31-33 Manufacturing NAICS 31-33	47,202	$81,312	$271,651	+$40,951	$2,033
NAICS 72 Accommodation and food services NAICS 72	38,784	$24,942	$61,823	−$168,877	$624
NAICS 44-45 Retail trade NAICS 44-45	37,613	$37,343	$107,984	−$122,716	$934
NAICS 56 Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services NAICS 56	30,215	$42,723	$128,010	−$102,690	$1,068
NAICS 54 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 54	22,977	$109,955	$378,270	+$147,570	$2,749
NAICS 48-49 Transportation and warehousing NAICS 48-49	21,485	$53,755	$169,075	−$61,625	$1,344
NAICS 52 Finance and insurance NAICS 52	21,195	$143,460	$502,987	+$272,287	$3,587
NAICS 92 Public administration NAICS 92	20,198	$72,468	$238,731	+$8,031	$1,812
NAICS 61 Educational services NAICS 61	19,934	$86,053	$289,299	+$58,599	$2,151
NAICS 55 Management of companies and enterprises NAICS 55	16,550	$125,842	$437,407	+$206,707	$3,146
NAICS 42 Wholesale trade NAICS 42	15,668	$94,706	$321,508	+$90,808	$2,368
NAICS 81 Other services (except public administration) NAICS 81	13,860	$46,199	$140,949	−$89,751	$1,155
NAICS 23 Construction NAICS 23	13,400	$86,807	$292,106	+$61,406	$2,170
NAICS 71 Arts, entertainment, and recreation NAICS 71	9,254	$70,523	$231,491	+$791	$1,763
NAICS 51 Information NAICS 51	7,798	$96,014	$326,377	+$95,677	$2,400
NAICS 53 Real estate and rental and leasing NAICS 53	7,047	$71,487	$235,079	+$4,379	$1,787
NAICS 22 Utilities NAICS 22	1,793	$112,137	$386,392	+$155,692	$2,803
NAICS 11 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting NAICS 11	59	$39,512	$116,058	−$114,642	$988
NAICS 21 Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction NAICS 21	24	$75,593	$250,363	+$19,663	$1,890

Subsector	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 622 Hospitals NAICS 622	35,031	$76,197	$252,612	+$21,912	$1,905
NAICS 722 Food services and drinking places NAICS 722	35,023	$23,927	$58,045	−$172,655	$598
NAICS 561 Administrative and support services NAICS 561	29,508	$42,079	$125,613	−$105,087	$1,052
NAICS 624 Social assistance NAICS 624	28,419	$30,426	$82,236	−$148,464	$761
NAICS 621 Ambulatory health care services NAICS 621	24,067	$83,978	$281,575	+$50,875	$2,099
NAICS 541 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 541	22,977	$109,955	$378,270	+$147,570	$2,749
NAICS 611 Educational services NAICS 611	19,934	$86,053	$289,299	+$58,599	$2,151
NAICS 551 Management of companies and enterprises NAICS 551	16,550	$125,842	$437,407	+$206,707	$3,146
NAICS 623 Nursing and residential care facilities NAICS 623	11,157	$40,308	$119,021	−$111,679	$1,008
NAICS 524 Insurance carriers and related activities NAICS 524	10,971	$134,810	$470,789	+$240,089	$3,370
NAICS 423 Merchant wholesalers, durable goods NAICS 423	10,607	$100,181	$341,888	+$111,188	$2,505
NAICS 921 Executive, legislative, and other general government support NAICS 921	10,509	$62,608	$202,029	−$28,671	$1,565
NAICS 238 Specialty trade contractors NAICS 238	9,247	$84,454	$283,347	+$52,647	$2,111
NAICS 332 Fabricated metal product manufacturing NAICS 332	8,204	$78,654	$261,757	+$31,057	$1,966
NAICS 445 Food and beverage retailers NAICS 445	8,186	$31,589	$86,565	−$144,135	$790
NAICS 311 Food manufacturing NAICS 311	7,387	$57,303	$182,282	−$48,418	$1,433
NAICS 455 General merchandise retailers NAICS 455	7,382	$27,069	$69,741	−$160,959	$677
NAICS 333 Machinery manufacturing NAICS 333	6,965	$95,980	$326,251	+$95,551	$2,400
NAICS 441 Motor vehicle and parts dealers NAICS 441	5,392	$61,623	$198,362	−$32,338	$1,541
NAICS 922 Justice, public order, and safety activities NAICS 922	5,373	$85,172	$286,020	+$55,320	$2,129
NAICS 531 Real estate NAICS 531	5,296	$74,999	$248,152	+$17,452	$1,875
NAICS 523 Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities NAICS 523	5,173	$207,941	$743,007	+$512,307	$5,199
NAICS 522 Credit intermediation and related activities NAICS 522	5,042	$96,192	$327,040	+$96,340	$2,405
NAICS 812 Personal and laundry services NAICS 812	4,983	$36,056	$103,193	−$127,507	$901
NAICS 424 Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods NAICS 424	4,653	$78,663	$261,791	+$31,091	$1,967
NAICS 711 Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries NAICS 711	4,646	$116,117	$401,207	+$170,507	$2,903
NAICS 813 Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations NAICS 813	4,383	$52,471	$164,295	−$66,405	$1,312
NAICS 492 Couriers and messengers NAICS 492	4,375	$34,783	$98,455	−$132,245	$870
NAICS 493 Warehousing and storage NAICS 493	4,104	$44,615	$135,053	−$95,647	$1,115
NAICS 713 Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries NAICS 713	4,004	$20,910	$46,815	−$183,885	$523
NAICS 484 Truck transportation NAICS 484	3,957	$64,029	$207,318	−$23,382	$1,601
NAICS 721 Accommodation NAICS 721	3,762	$34,387	$96,981	−$133,719	$860
NAICS 335 Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing NAICS 335	3,580	$116,269	$401,773	+$171,073	$2,907
NAICS 518 Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services NAICS 518	3,557	$114,084	$393,640	+$162,940	$2,852
NAICS 334 Computer and electronic product manufacturing NAICS 334	3,476	$108,287	$372,061	+$141,361	$2,707
NAICS 459 Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers NAICS 459	3,356	$29,565	$79,031	−$151,669	$739
NAICS 811 Repair and maintenance NAICS 811	3,349	$60,927	$195,771	−$34,929	$1,523
NAICS 236 Construction of buildings NAICS 236	3,284	$87,440	$294,462	+$63,762	$2,186
NAICS 456 Health and personal care retailers NAICS 456	3,271	$45,984	$140,149	−$90,551	$1,150
NAICS 485 Transit and ground passenger transportation NAICS 485	3,114	$49,983	$155,034	−$75,666	$1,250
NAICS 458 Clothing, clothing accessories, shoe, and jewelry retailers NAICS 458	3,096	$27,019	$69,554	−$161,146	$675
NAICS 444 Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers NAICS 444	3,035	$37,509	$108,602	−$122,098	$938
NAICS 325 Chemical manufacturing NAICS 325	2,970	$83,564	$280,034	+$49,334	$2,089
NAICS 491 Postal service NAICS 491	2,802	$70,718	$232,217	+$1,517	$1,768
NAICS 323 Printing and related support activities NAICS 323	2,435	$73,365	$242,070	+$11,370	$1,834
NAICS 923 Administration of human resource programs NAICS 923	2,375	$75,906	$251,528	+$20,828	$1,898
NAICS 449 Furniture, home furnishings, electronics, and appliance retailers NAICS 449	2,242	$52,785	$165,464	−$65,236	$1,320
NAICS 488 Support activities for transportation NAICS 488	2,197	$62,909	$203,149	−$27,551	$1,573
NAICS 339 Miscellaneous manufacturing NAICS 339	1,846	$67,546	$220,410	−$10,290	$1,689
NAICS 221 Utilities NAICS 221	1,793	$112,137	$386,392	+$155,692	$2,803
NAICS 312 Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing NAICS 312	1,732	$105,644	$362,223	+$131,523	$2,641
NAICS 532 Rental and leasing services NAICS 532	1,721	$60,031	$192,436	−$38,264	$1,501
NAICS 457 Gasoline stations and fuel dealers NAICS 457	1,651	$29,334	$78,172	−$152,528	$733
NAICS 326 Plastics and rubber products manufacturing NAICS 326	1,589	$62,045	$199,933	−$30,767	$1,551
NAICS 336 Transportation equipment manufacturing NAICS 336	1,450	$73,687	$243,269	+$12,569	$1,842
NAICS 331 Primary metal manufacturing NAICS 331	1,446	$66,249	$215,582	−$15,118	$1,656
NAICS 322 Paper manufacturing NAICS 322	1,292	$78,140	$259,844	+$29,144	$1,954
NAICS 513 Publishing industries NAICS 513	1,212	$95,920	$326,027	+$95,327	$2,398
NAICS 814 Private households NAICS 814	1,146	$23,238	$55,480	−$175,220	$581
NAICS 516 Broadcasting and content providers NAICS 516	1,066	$80,696	$269,358	+$38,658	$2,017
NAICS 517 Telecommunications NAICS 517	1,056	$89,723	$302,960	+$72,260	$2,243
NAICS 237 Heavy and civil engineering construction NAICS 237	869	$109,463	$376,439	+$145,739	$2,737
NAICS 481 Air transportation NAICS 481	786	$88,218	$297,358	+$66,658	$2,205
NAICS 562 Waste management and remediation services NAICS 562	708	$69,508	$227,713	−$2,987	$1,738
NAICS 327 Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing NAICS 327	702	$65,879	$214,204	−$16,496	$1,647
NAICS 337 Furniture and related product manufacturing NAICS 337	663	$62,308	$200,912	−$29,788	$1,558
NAICS 321 Wood product manufacturing NAICS 321	647	$56,471	$179,185	−$51,515	$1,412
NAICS 712 Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions NAICS 712	604	$48,705	$150,277	−$80,423	$1,218
NAICS 512 Motion picture and sound recording industries NAICS 512	598	$45,232	$137,349	−$93,351	$1,131
NAICS 926 Administration of economic programs NAICS 926	562	$94,144	$319,416	+$88,716	$2,354
NAICS 425 Wholesale trade agents and brokers NAICS 425	408	$135,339	$472,758	+$242,058	$3,383
NAICS 314 Textile product mills NAICS 314	360	$53,320	$167,456	−$63,244	$1,333
NAICS 928 National security and international affairs NAICS 928	341	$92,792	$314,384	+$83,684	$2,320
NAICS 519 Web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services NAICS 519	309	$61,009	$196,077	−$34,623	$1,525
NAICS 316 Leather and allied product manufacturing NAICS 316	237	$57,914	$184,556	−$46,144	$1,448
NAICS 924 Administration of environmental quality programs NAICS 924	132	$113,421	$391,172	+$160,472	$2,836
NAICS 487 Scenic and sightseeing transportation NAICS 487	87	$19,710	$42,348	−$188,352	$493
NAICS 315 Apparel manufacturing NAICS 315	71	$42,491	$127,146	−$103,554	$1,062
NAICS 111 Crop production NAICS 111	51	$38,003	$110,441	−$120,259	$950
NAICS 925 Administration of housing programs, urban planning, and community development NAICS 925	38	$126,904	$441,360	+$210,660	$3,173
NAICS 533 Lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets (except copyrighted works) NAICS 533	31	$105,204	$360,585	+$129,885	$2,630

Affordable home price assumes the industry's average earner uses 30% of gross income for housing, with a 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr taxes & insurance, and 0.5% PMI. Adjust the Section 3 calculator for other terms. Affordable rent is 30% of monthly gross pay.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024; ACS 5-year 2024 (median home value).

Section 5

Wages by Occupation

Selected essential-worker occupations for the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county — jobs, the 10-year change, wages, and the housing each typical earner can afford. Both jobs counts and wages are reported at the MSA / nonmetropolitan-area level (BLS does not publish OEWS at the county level), so every county inside the same area shows the same numbers. For county-accurate employment totals, see Section 4 above.

Occupational wages and affordable housing

Occupation	2025 jobs	2015–2025 change	% change	Hourly wage	Annual wage	Affordable home price	Affordable monthly rent
Fast Food and Counter Workers SOC 35-3023 · prior-year code differs	17,490	(3,530)	(17%)	$14.12	$29,370	$78,306	$734
Cashiers SOC 41-2011	15,050	2,200	17%	$15.17	$31,560	$86,458	$789
Childcare Workers SOC 39-9011	1,840	(440)	(19%)	$16.08	$33,450	$93,493	$836
Waiters and Waitresses SOC 35-3031	10,020	(2,050)	(17%)	$16.95	$35,250	$100,193	$881
Retail Salespersons SOC 41-2031	18,850	(7,870)	(29%)	$17.45	$36,300	$104,101	$908
Janitors and Cleaners SOC 37-2011	14,380	1,840	15%	$18.56	$38,600	$112,663	$965
Tellers SOC 43-3071	2,000	(1,120)	(36%)	$20.73	$43,120	$129,488	$1,078
Office Clerks, General SOC 43-9061	14,820	(11,210)	(43%)	$20.98	$43,630	$131,386	$1,091
Home Health and Personal Care Aides SOC 31-1131 · prior-year code differs	7,880	(4,460)	(36%)	$21.84	$45,420	$138,049	$1,136
Firefighters SOC 33-2011	2,130	540	34%	$25.96	$54,000	$169,987	$1,350
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General SOC 49-9071	8,270	810	11%	$26.78	$55,690	$176,278	$1,392
Construction Laborers SOC 47-2061	4,740	1,230	35%	$28.66	$59,610	$190,869	$1,490
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers SOC 53-3032	10,250	1,970	24%	$28.89	$60,080	$192,619	$1,502
Paramedics SOC 29-2043 · prior-year code differs	670	(770)	(53%)	$30.17	$62,760	$202,595	$1,569
Carpenters SOC 47-2031	3,310	390	13%	$32.81	$68,240	$222,993	$1,706
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2021	6,620	(1,080)	(14%)	—	$68,930	$225,561	$1,723
Electricians SOC 47-2111	4,490	1,540	52%	$36.38	$75,670	$250,650	$1,892
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC 33-3051	3,660	370	11%	$39.66	$82,500	$276,073	$2,063
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters SOC 47-2152	2,760	1,140	70%	$42.86	$89,150	$300,827	$2,229
Registered Nurses SOC 29-1141	22,400	4,200	23%	$46.18	$96,050	$326,511	$2,401

Affordable home price uses the same Section 3 formula (30% housing budget, 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr T&I, 0.5% PMI). Affordable rent is 30% of monthly wages. Negative job-change values are shown in red parentheses. A "prior-year code differs" note flags occupations whose SOC code changed between the two vintages (2010 SOC → 2018 SOC) — the change estimate is best-effort.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (10-year change vs. May 2015). Jobs counts and wages reflect the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county, not the county alone — OEWS is not published at the county level.

Methodology & sources

All figures derive from the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. State and national comparisons are population-weighted aggregates of county-level estimates (an approximation; ACS publishes its own state and national medians which can differ slightly).

The affordability calculator uses a 30% housing-budget rule with a 30-year mortgage. Defaults are 7% interest, 5% down, $2,500/year taxes and insurance, and 0.5% PMI — adjustable above.

Variables: 55079 · pulled from Full Housing Data Table.xlsx.