RANK #293 / 996 · POP 933,063 · WI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.6%
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.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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 996 counties.
Milwaukee County has a Boom Town Index score of 71/100, ranking #293 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.4% and a median household income of $59,319, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Milwaukee County is $200,000 with median rent at $1,012/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2966, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.4%. Home values changed +3.7% in the past 12 months.