Milwaukee metropolitan area

Last updated
Milwaukee metropolitan area
Metropolitan statistical area
Milwaukee–Waukesha–West Allis, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area
Milwaukee October 2025 47 (city skyline from Lakeshore State Park) (cropped).jpg
Downtown Milwaukee
Milwaukee metropolitan area
Map of Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha, WI CSA
Coordinates: 43°15′00″N88°10′00″W / 43.25°N 88.166667°W / 43.25; -88.166667
Country Flag of United States.svg United States
State Flag of Wisconsin.svg Wisconsin
Largest city Milwaukee
Other cities
 - Waukesha
 - West Allis
 - Racine
 - Whitewater
 - Elkhorn
 - Lake Geneva
 - Beaver Dam
 - Watertown
 - Fort Atkinson
 - Mequon
Area
 • Total
3,356 sq mi (8,690 km2)
Population
 (2010) [1]
 • Total
Increase2.svg 1,574,731
 • Density1,082.2/sq mi (417.8/km2)
GDP
[2]
 • Total$130.857 billion (2023)
Time zone UTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)

The Milwaukee metropolitan area (also known as Metro Milwaukee or Greater Milwaukee) is a major metropolitan area in southeastern Wisconsin, United States, consisting of the city of Milwaukee and some of the surrounding area.

Contents

The U.S. Census Bureau defines the Milwaukee–Waukesha–West Allis metropolitan area as consisting Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties. With a population of 1.57 million, it is the largest metropolitan area in Wisconsin and the 40th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. The greater Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha combined statistical area is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include Dodge, Jefferson, Racine, and Walworth counties. With a population of 2.05 million, it is the 34th-largest combined statistical area in the country.

Definitions

Metropolitan area

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1840 5,948—
1850 69,8201,073.8%
1860 128,65384.3%
1870 157,68722.6%
1880 206,39730.9%
1890 318,06554.1%
1900 405,19827.4%
1910 511,19426.2%
1920 624,10922.1%
1930 821,56631.6%
1940 876,9546.7%
1950 1,014,21115.7%
1960 1,278,85026.1%
1970 1,403,6889.8%
1980 1,397,143−0.5%
1990 1,432,1492.5%
2000 1,500,7414.8%
2010 1,555,9083.7%
2020 1,574,7311.2%
2024 (est.)1,574,4520.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [3]
1790–1960 [4] 1900–1990 [5]
1990–2000 [6] 2010–2014

The U.S. Census Bureau defines the Milwaukee Metropolitan area as containing four counties in southeastern Wisconsin: Milwaukee and the three WOW counties: Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha. [7] The Metropolitan population of Milwaukee was 1,575,179 in the Census Bureau's 2019 estimate, making it the 39th largest in the United States. [8]

The city of Milwaukee is the hub of the metropolitan area. The eastern parts of Racine County, eastern parts of Waukesha County, southern part of Ozaukee County, southeastern part of Washington County, and remainder of Milwaukee County are the most urbanized parts of the outlying counties.

The character of the area varies widely. Mequon, Brookfield, and the North Shore (Fox Point, Whitefish Bay, River Hills, Shorewood, Glendale, Brown Deer, and Bayside) are more white-collar, while West Milwaukee, West Allis, and St. Francis are more blue-collar.[ citation needed ]

Metro Milwaukee draws commuters from outlying areas such as Madison, Chicago and the Fox Cities. It is part of the Great Lakes Megalopolis containing an estimated 54 million people.

Combined statistical area

The Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha Combined Statistical Area is made up of the Milwaukee–Waukesha–West Allis Metropolitan Statistical Area (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties), the Racine Metropolitan Statistical Area (Racine County), the Beaver Dam Micropolitan Statistical Area (Dodge County), the Watertown-Fort Atkinson Micropolitan Area (Jefferson County), and the Whitewater-Elkorn Micropolitan Area (Walworth County) according to the U.S. Census. [9] Updated definitions released in February 2013 added Dodge, Jefferson and Walworth Counties to the Milwaukee CSA. Kenosha, despite being just 32 miles from Milwaukee and 50 miles from Chicago, is included as part of the Chicago CSA, as Kenosha has more residents who commute to the Chicago area. As of the 2019 census estimates, the Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha Combined Statistical Area population was 2,047,966, the largest in Wisconsin and the 33rd largest in the United States. [8] The Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha CSA shares an eastern border with the Madison MSA the Janesville-Beloit MSA which in turn are both a part of the Madison CSA.

Counties

There are eight counties in the U.S. Census Bureau's Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha Combined statistical area.

The city at the center is Milwaukee. Above Milwaukee in the photo is Waukesha. It is a 2012 photo from Expedition 30 of the International Space Station. The line of lights connecting the two cities comes from vehicles and development on and along Bluemound Road and I-94. Due to the angle of the photo, north points rightwards, and west upwards. To the left of Milwaukee along the lakeshore are the cities of Racine, Kenosha, and Waukegan. Kenosha and Waukegan are considered part of the Chicago CSA rather than part of metro Milwaukee. The lights in the far left along the lake are from a portion of Cook County, of which Chicago is the county seat. To the right of Milwaukee are Cedarburg and Grafton. Port Washington is just to the right of Grafton and along the lakeshore. Above Port Washington, the "+" shaped lights are from West Bend. In the far right edge, a small portion of Sheboygan can be seen along the lakeshore. ISS030-E-223828.jpg
The city at the center is Milwaukee. Above Milwaukee in the photo is Waukesha. It is a 2012 photo from Expedition 30 of the International Space Station. The line of lights connecting the two cities comes from vehicles and development on and along Bluemound Road and I-94. Due to the angle of the photo, north points rightwards, and west upwards. To the left of Milwaukee along the lakeshore are the cities of Racine, Kenosha, and Waukegan. Kenosha and Waukegan are considered part of the Chicago CSA rather than part of metro Milwaukee. The lights in the far left along the lake are from a portion of Cook County, of which Chicago is the county seat. To the right of Milwaukee are Cedarburg and Grafton. Port Washington is just to the right of Grafton and along the lakeshore. Above Port Washington, the "+" shaped lights are from West Bend. In the far right edge, a small portion of Sheboygan can be seen along the lakeshore.

Cities (combined statistical area)

Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city Milwaukee skyline.jpg
Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city

Primary

Other principal cities

Metro area cities and villages with more than 10,000 inhabitants

Metro area cities, towns and villages with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants

Unincorporated Communities and Census Designated Places

Politics

The city of Milwaukee is overwhelmingly Democratic, while suburban Milwaukee County was historically politically divided, but has shifted to the left in recent election cycles. [10] The WOW counties have long been a Republican stronghold for decades, but they have been trending to the left in recent elections. Dodge County, Jefferson County, Walworth County, and Racine County, which are located on the outskirts of the metro lean Republican.

Milwaukee Metro Presidential election results [11] [12]
Year Democratic Republican Third parties
2024 50.8%591,12247.4% 551,6861.8% 20,694
2020 51.3%583,80947.6% 535,1751.6% 18,760
2016 48.1%500,95745.7% 476,4146.2% 64,475
2012 50.9%568,02248.0% 535,6451.1% 11,760
2008 53.1%569,67245.7% 490,0481.2% 12,639
2004 47.6% 509,10051.5%551,1160.9% 9,322
2004 Presidential Election in the Milwaukee Metro by Town.svg
2004 Presidential Election by Municipality
2008 Presidential Election in the Milwaukee Metro by Town.svg
2008 Presidential Election by Municipality
2012 Presidential Election in the Milwaukee Metro by Town.svg
2012 Presidential Election by Municipality
2016 Presidential Election in the Milwaukee Metro by Town.svg
2016 Presidential Election by Municipality
2020 Presidential Election in the Milwaukee Metro by Town.svg
2020 Presidential Election by Municipality
2024 Presidential Election in the Milwaukee Metro by Town.svg
2024 Presidential Election by Municipality

Debate over metropolitan government

Although each county and its various municipalities are self-governing, there is some cooperation in the metropolitan area. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is a state-chartered government agency which serves 28 municipalities in the five counties.

At the same time, some in the area see the need for more consolidation in government services. The Kettl Commission and former Wisconsin Governor Scott McCallum have supported initiatives to do this. However, full consolidation has faced unsubstantiated criticism as a means of diluting minority voting power.

References

  1. ↑ "2010 Census Data - 2010 Census". 2010.census.gov. Archived from the original on March 24, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Total Gross Domestic Product for Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI (MSA)". Federal Reserve Economic Data . Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  5. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ "United States 2020 Decennial Census".
  8. 1 2 "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals and Components of Change: 2010-2019". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 26, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget . Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-02-07. Retrieved 2015-02-13– via National Archives.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ↑ "Suburban Milwaukee County". Daves Redistricting. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  11. ↑ "Milwaukee Metro Presidential Results". Daves Redistricting. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  12. ↑ "State Canvasses". Wisconsin Historical Society.

Metro Milwaukee Portal

43°15′N88°10′W / 43.250°N 88.167°W / 43.250; -88.167

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