Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Income Statistics
Milwaukee County Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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C
Milwaukee County Below averageAmong the 5 least wealthy counties in Wisconsin
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,972 | $77,698 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $55,186 | $59,261 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.6% | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.7% | 11.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 7.5% | 9.2% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Milwaukee County is about 16% lower than in Wisconsin. Income has been growing faster in Milwaukee County (4.6%/yr) than in Wisconsin (4.4%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Milwaukee County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Wisconsin average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin grew by 48.0% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $64,972 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Milwaukee County
| Metric | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.525 | 0.503 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $62,893 | $67,892 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $54,188 | $54,788 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 13.8% | 19.3% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Milwaukee County, it is 0.525, higher than Wisconsin's 0.503, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 16% more than women's income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Over a 35-year career, a 16% wage gap accumulates to roughly $304,675 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 18% to 14% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 18% in 2010, and was narrowest at 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $535 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.4% | 13.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 22,830 people are unemployed in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
The average commute time in Milwaukee County is 20 minutes, longer than the 18 minutes in Wisconsin.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin has fallen from 10.0% to 4.8% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 11.1% in 2013 and fell as low as 4.7% in 2023.
Milwaukee County, WI Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Milwaukee County, WI is the largest of the 6 counties compared here, 925,807 residents against a local median of 168,436. Where Milwaukee County, WI breaks from the counties next to it is median household income, sitting 20% below the local median of $81,631 at $64,972. That is the weaker end of the local range on this measure.
The counties themselves spread $37,826 on median household income, so Milwaukee County, WI sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. Milwaukee County, WI has the 6th highest median household income of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee County, WI | 925,807 | $64,972 #6/6 | 4.6%/yr #2/6 | 4.8% #5/6 | 0.525 #5/6 |
| Racine County, WI | 197,532 | $78,183 | 4.1%/yr | 4.4% | 0.505 |
| Ozaukee County, WI | 92,977 | $97,459 | 2.6%/yr | 2.8% | 0.514 |
| Kenosha County, WI | 168,436 | $81,631 | 4.8%/yr | 4.4% | 0.514 |
| Lake County, IL | 714,026 | $111,219 | 4.1%/yr | 5.0% | 0.548 |
| Sheboygan County, WI | 117,991 | $73,392 | 3.7%/yr | 2.7% | 0.486 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Wisconsin, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
How Rich Is Milwaukee County, Wisconsin?
Milwaukee County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $64,972, about 16% lower than the Wisconsin average of $77,698.
How has median household income changed in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin rose 48%, from $43,914 to $64,972. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Wisconsin as a whole: +48% against +50%.
What was the median household income in Milwaukee County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin was $62,302, up 5% from $59,387 in 2022. The Wisconsin median that year was $75,781.
What was the median household income in Milwaukee County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin was $52,589. By 2024 it had risen 24% to $64,972.
Is unemployment high in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin?
Unemployment in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin is 4.8%, well above the Wisconsin rate of 3.2%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin?
The Gini coefficient in Milwaukee County is 0.525. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 18% to 14% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 18% in 2010, and was narrowest at 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $535 since 2009.
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