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CITY

Waukesha

Wisconsin · 70,872 residents (2025 est.) · 25.523 sq mi
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The short version

Waukesha has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $83,837. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $315,500.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
71,233
+10%since 2000
from 64,825 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,791 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 2,540 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.7
+10%since 2000
from 33.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:70,872 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
55K60K65K69K74K1990201020202024Waukesha
202471K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$83,837
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,084 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$44,943
+93%since 2000
from $23,242 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
54.6%
+19.7 ptssince 2009
from 35.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.8%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.418
+4%since 2010
from 0.400 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$315,500
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $138,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,219
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $675 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 56.5% in 2000
41.2% rent
Vacancy rate
2.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.9%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 28.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.2%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.8
+37%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Waukesha on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.7%(56,191)
Black1.2%(797)
Hispanic / Latino8.6%(5,563)
Asian2.1%(1,389)
Other0%
Diversity Score27.4%(17,786)
2024
White, non-Hispanic78.2%(55,702)
Black2.6%(1,877)
Hispanic / Latino12.3%(8,765)
Asian2.6%(1,873)
Other4.2%(3,016)
Diversity Score46.3%(32,964)
Diversity Score
46
+69%since 2000
from 27 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.7%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 30.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.8%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 89.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+63%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.1%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 82.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.4%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.9%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
71.2%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 73.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.0%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 68.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
7.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.5%
−43.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2012
from 10.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.9%
−85.9 ptssince 2013
from 91.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.3%
+9.6 ptssince 2017
from 84.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 87.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2016
from 8.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Waukesha to nearby cities

WAUKESHA VS
Waukesha
Income$130,978+56%
Home value$415,500+32%
Population8,507−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAUKESHA VS
Pewaukee
Income$108,350+29%
Home value$447,100+42%
Population16,375−77%
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WAUKESHA VS
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Income$62,139−26%
Home value$281,800−11%
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WAUKESHA VS
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Income$101,091+21%
Home value$365,700+16%
Population39,953−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Waukesha, Wisconsin?

Waukesha, Wisconsin has about 71,233 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Waukesha, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Waukesha, Wisconsin earns about $83,837 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Waukesha, Wisconsin expensive?

In Waukesha, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $315,500, and the typical rent is about $1,219 a month.

How educated are people in Waukesha, Wisconsin?

About 41.7% of adults age 25 and over in Waukesha, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Waukesha, Wisconsin?

About 9.8% of people in Waukesha, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Waukesha, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Waukesha, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14,275 residents, a change of about 25 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 →