RANK #253 / 1001 NAT · #14 / 29 WI · POP 92,966
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
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.
Ozaukee County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +5.5% runs above the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 14.3x — home prices are high 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 75/100, Ozaukee County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $96,996 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in WI.
Ozaukee County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $390,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,154/month on average.
Ozaukee County is attracting residents (population +0.7% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -1.6%. Housing values changed +5.5% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.36% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ozaukee County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Ozaukee County is now valued at $390,200. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.