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CITY

South Milwaukee

Wisconsin · 20,191 residents (2025 est.) · 4.826 sq mi
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The short version

South Milwaukee has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $73,427. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $235,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,442
−4%since 2000
from 21,256 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,236 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 4,404 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.2
+6%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:20,191 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
20K21K21K21K21K1990201020202024South Milwaukee
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,427
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,197 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,937
+77%since 2000
from $20,925 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.1%
+18.9 ptssince 2009
from 30.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.1%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.384
+6%since 2010
from 0.361 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services5.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration4.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$235,700
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $111,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,014
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $569 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.8%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 61.9% in 2000
33.2% rent
Vacancy rate
5.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.9%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
41.3%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 37.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+28%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Milwaukee on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.6%(19,682)
Black1%(206)
Hispanic / Latino4%(852)
Asian0.7%(146)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.8%(2,927)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.2%(15,790)
Black2.5%(501)
Hispanic / Latino12.2%(2,489)
Asian1.3%(265)
Other6.8%(1,397)
Diversity Score47.9%(9,789)
Diversity Score
48
+248%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.9%
+14.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.0%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 85.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.4%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.2 min
+64%since 2000
from 14.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.8%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.7%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.4%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.4%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−4.6 ptssince 2011
from 8.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.7%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 67.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.0%
−22.2 ptssince 2009
from 59.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
50.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
6.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−40.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.1%
+2.4 ptssince 2012
from 11.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.9%
−84.9 ptssince 2013
from 89.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.6%
+16.6 ptssince 2017
from 78.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
86.1%
−3.1 ptssince 2016
from 89.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2016
from 4.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare South Milwaukee to nearby cities

SOUTH MILWAUKEE VS
Cudahy
Income$66,719−9%
Home value$216,500−8%
Population17,655−13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH MILWAUKEE VS
Oak Creek
Income$96,555+31%
Home value$331,700+41%
Population38,296+90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH MILWAUKEE VS
St. Francis
Income$57,368−22%
Home value$234,500−1%
Population8,955−56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH MILWAUKEE VS
Greendale
Income$94,769+29%
Home value$314,200+33%
Population14,426−29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin?

South Milwaukee, Wisconsin has about 20,442 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin?

The typical household in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin earns about $73,427 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South Milwaukee, Wisconsin expensive?

In South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $235,700, and the typical rent is about $1,014 a month.

How educated are people in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin?

About 29.9% of adults age 25 and over in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin?

About 13.1% of people in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has South Milwaukee, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 516 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

South Milwaukee, Wisconsin: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy