RANK #532 / 1001 NAT · #23 / 29 WI · POP 926,331
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, is often recognized for its brewing heritage and as the home of Summerfest, one of the world's largest music festivals. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the most populous county in Wisconsin, encompassing 19 municipalities, including the city of Milwaukee. Commuting within the county is facilitated by major interstates, an extensive bus system, and a downtown streetcar. The community offers a blend of urban, suburban, and even some rural living, with lakefront parks and trails providing outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, biking, and golfing.
Life in Milwaukee County offers a range of experiences, from urban centers to family-friendly suburbs like Whitefish Bay and Wauwatosa, known for their schools. The public school system includes Milwaukee Public Schools, the largest district in the state, alongside numerous other districts. The economy, while experiencing some recent shifts in employment, is driven by sectors such as education and health services, manufacturing, and construction. There is also a focus on workforce development and increasing affordable housing to support community needs.
Milwaukee County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +3.9% YoY, population -0.1%, wages +4.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
South Oak Creek CT Project (Natural Gas Plant)
Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WEPCO)
|
$1,100M | Approved |
|
Oak Creek LNG Facility
Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WE-GO)
|
$456M | Proposed |
|
American Pharaoh BESS (Battery Storage System)
Black Mountain Energy Storage
|
$300M | Approved |
|
Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin
N/A
|
$240M | Under Construction |
|
South Shore Cruise Dock at Port Milwaukee
Port Milwaukee
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
I-94 East-West Corridor (70th Street to 16th Street)
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Milwaukee County scores 46/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#532). Median household income is $64,435 and job growth is running at -0.5%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Milwaukee County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $230,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,101/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Milwaukee County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs -0.5%. Home values shifted +3.9% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.93% of Milwaukee County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.