West Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin · Metropolitan Area

West Milwaukee is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 4,064. Residents earn $48,976 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,064 Population 3,629/sq mi density
$48,976 Median Income $29,660 per capita
$203,500 Home Value $252,134 Zillow
$885 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
1,328 Violent Crime/100K 13,232 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$48,976 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$203,500 home value, $885/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,328 violent crimes/100K (249% above avg)
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,976
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $203,500
28% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,328/100K
249% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.5%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $885
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.4%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.1%
19% lower than US avg

How West Milwaukee Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,064
Median Age36.4 yrs
Density3,629/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 56%

Economy

B+
Median Income$48,976
Per Capita$29,660
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty10.1%
County GDP$7,073M
Commute18 min

Housing

A
Home Value$203,500
Rent$885
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$252,134

Crime

F
Violent1,328/100K
Property13,232/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault688/100K
Burglary854/100K

Health

Obesity38.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.1%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.5 in/yr

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.5%
High School+90.1%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 55% / D 44%
Commute18 min
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is West Milwaukee a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Milwaukee receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes. West Milwaukee has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Milwaukee is $48,976, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. 10.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Milwaukee is $203,500, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $885 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 1,328 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 13,232 per 100,000, 575% above the national average.

Education

18.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

West Milwaukee experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

West Milwaukee has a population of 4,064 with a density of 3,629 people per square mile. The median age is 36.4 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (55.8%), with 4% Hispanic, 16.3% Black.

Population

4,064
Total Population
3,629
People / sq mi
36.4yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.7%
Female 48.3%

Race & Ethnicity

West Milwaukee vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only70.8%
10% below US avg
Spanish29.2%
118% above US avg

Social Characteristics

West Milwaukee vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Milwaukee is $48,976, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: West Milwaukee vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,976
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,660
Avg Weekly Wage$1,133
IRS Avg AGI$138,207

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.1%
19% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,167
County GDP$7,073M

Business (County)

Restaurants233
Healthcare389
Retail307
Manufacturing179

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,433
141% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.4 min
Work from Home5.1%

Walkability

The median home value in West Milwaukee is $203,500, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $885 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $252,134.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$203,500
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$252,134
Median List Price$324,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$324,900
$/Sq Ft$158
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio100.5%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory5

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$885
24% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied32.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,433
141% above US avg
Effective Rate4.14%
In West Milwaukee, 38.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.1% report depression. 28.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Milwaukee vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.4%
20% above US avg
Diabetes12.2%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure32.7%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.0%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.3%
Physical Inactivity28.7%
Depression23.1%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress13.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.7%
Checkup Rate76.2%
Premature Death4,855/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access96.1%
Healthcare Facilities389
West Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 1,328 per 100,000 residents, 249% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 13,232 per 100,000 (575% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: West Milwaukee vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,328.0/100K
249% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape23.7/100K
Robbery616.6/100K
Assault687.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property13,232.2/100K
575% above US avg
Burglary853.7/100K
Theft10,600.0/100K
Vehicle Theft1,778.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
West Milwaukee has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.5 inches
7% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density3,629/sq mi
Coordinates43.0124°N, 87.9710°W
County FIPS55089
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 18.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 10.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.6%
D 44.1%

Winner: Republican by 10.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.5%
45% below US avg
High School+90.1%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,629/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities389
Restaurants233
Retail Stores307

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.4 min
Work from Home5.1%

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