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Ozaukee County, WI

RANK #92 / 996  ·  POP 91,745  ·  WI

PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.0%

Ozaukee County ranks among the top U.S. counties across nearly every economic indicator.

[01] Why Ozaukee County?

Cedarburg, a town known for its preserved limestone buildings and historic district, anchors Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Located directly north of Milwaukee County, Ozaukee County offers a blend of rural charm and Lake Michigan shoreline. The county seat, Port Washington, is a harbor town overlooking Lake Michigan, about 25 miles north of downtown Milwaukee. Commuting to Milwaukee is facilitated by Interstate 43, and a shared-ride taxi service also connects to Milwaukee County bus routes. The community feel across Ozaukee County is often described as friendly and close-knit, with many residents choosing to stay in the area where they grew up. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, numerous parks, and the 30-mile Ozaukee Interurban Trail for biking and walking.

Life in Ozaukee County is characterized by a high quality of life and a strong sense of community. The public school districts, such as Mequon-Thiensville, Cedarburg, and Grafton, are highly rated. The county has seen population growth in recent years, with many residents owning their homes. The local economy is supported by various sectors, with ongoing efforts in workforce development and support for existing and new businesses. While manufacturing has seen some job declines, the construction and healthcare industries have experienced growth.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
5.7x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
-0.2%

Contracting economy

Home Prices
+4.7%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.4

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
17x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 5.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Ozaukee County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
91,745
+0.79% YoY
Median Household Income
$92,258
Median Home Value
$344,900
+4.73% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,103
Average Annual Pay
$58,909
+1.3% YoY
Employment
41,266
+1.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2675
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.62%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$442,900
Days on Market
53
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
2.8
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
100.4%
Homes selling above asking
Sold Above List
41.5%
Listings w/ Price Drops
7.8%
Building Permits (2024)
689
Single-Family Permits
238

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$15,200M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Lighthouse Campus Data Center
Vantage Data Centers (for Oracle and OpenAI)
$15,000M Under Construction
Saukville (Cedarsauk) Battery Storage
Undisclosed
$200M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth -0.2% 7 percentile
Population Growth +0.8% 64 percentile
Income Growth +6.2% 9 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.3% 99 percentile
Home Price Change +4.7% 88 percentile
Rent Growth +7.8% 94 percentile
Price/Rent 17x 22 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ozaukee County, WI a good place to move to?

Ozaukee County has a Boom Town Index score of 91/100, ranking #92 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $92,258, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Ozaukee County affordable?

The median home value in Ozaukee County is $344,900 with median rent at $1,103/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2675, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Ozaukee County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +4.7% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Ozaukee County?

Yes — 3.62% of Ozaukee County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Winnebago County, IL 100 Madison County, NY 100 Oswego County, NY 100 Valencia County, NM 100 Taylor County, TX 100 Allen County, OH 100 Newton County, MO 99 Dodge County, WI 99