Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy counties in Wisconsin
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.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,292 | $75,766 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $56,673 | $60,217 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.0% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Milwaukee County is about 18% lower than in Wisconsin. Income has been growing slower in Milwaukee County (4.7%/yr) than in Wisconsin (4.7%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Milwaukee County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Wisconsin average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin grew by 41.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $62,292 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Milwaukee County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.537 | 0.516 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,683 | $65,881 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,684 | $53,174 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 13.2% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
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 0.537, higher than Wisconsin's 0.516, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 15% more than women's income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Over a 35-year career, a 15% wage gap accumulates to roughly $279,965 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 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $170 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.7% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 22,006 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 4.7% in 2023.
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 $62,292, about 18% lower than the Wisconsin average of $75,766.
What is the current median household income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin?
As of 2023, the median household income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin is $62,292.
What was the median household income in Milwaukee County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin was $62,292.
What was the median household income in Milwaukee County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin was $52,586.
What is the Gini coefficient in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin?
The Gini coefficient in Milwaukee County is 0.537. 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 0.570, 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 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $170 since 2009.