Milwaukee, WI Demographics

A map of Milwaukee's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Black	214,848	218,273	37.9%	37.8%
White	179,514	186,419	31.7%	32.3%
Hispanic	118,591	116,306	20.9%	20.1%
Asian	28,556	29,969	5.0%	5.2%
Multiracial	21,879	20,753	3.9%	3.6%
Native American/Other	3,585	5,502	0.6%	1.0%

Milwaukee, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 566,973, a slight decrease from the 577,222 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 37.9% Black, 31.7% White, 20.9% Hispanic, 5.0% Asian, 3.9% Multiracial, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Milwaukee, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Milwaukee is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Wisconsin overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Milwaukee, that probability was 70.8% in 2020 and 70.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Milwaukee is ranked the most populous place in Wisconsin, out of 808 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Milwaukee was ranked the 1st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Milwaukee's White Population

179,514 residents of Milwaukee, or 31.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Milwaukee is significantly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. Milwaukee ranks 784th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Milwaukee's White population has declined by an estimated 3.7%. White residents' share of Milwaukee's population has decreased from 32.3% to 31.7%.

Milwaukee is less White than neighboring West Milwaukee (45.3% White), Wauwatosa (77.6% White), Glendale (64.8% White), Whitefish Bay (83.3% White), and West Allis (69.8% White).

Milwaukee's Black Population

214,848 residents of Milwaukee, or 37.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Milwaukee is significantly higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. Milwaukee ranks 1st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Milwaukee's Black population has declined by an estimated 1.6%. Black residents' share of Milwaukee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 37.9%.

Milwaukee is more Black than neighboring West Milwaukee (17.7% Black), Wauwatosa (7.1% Black), Glendale (15.8% Black), Whitefish Bay (2.4% Black), and West Allis (5% Black).

Milwaukee's Asian Population

28,556 residents of Milwaukee, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Milwaukee is slightly higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Milwaukee ranks 25th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Milwaukee's Asian population has declined by an estimated 4.7%. Asian residents' share of Milwaukee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.0%.

Milwaukee is more Asian than neighboring West Milwaukee (0.4% Asian), Wauwatosa (4.6% Asian), Whitefish Bay (4.6% Asian), and West Allis (2.7% Asian). Milwaukee is less Asian than neighboring Glendale (6.8% Asian).

Milwaukee's Hispanic Population

118,591 residents of Milwaukee, or 20.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Milwaukee is considerably higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. Milwaukee ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Milwaukee's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Milwaukee's population has increased from 20.1% to 20.9%.

Milwaukee is more Hispanic than neighboring Wauwatosa (5% Hispanic), Glendale (6.3% Hispanic), Whitefish Bay (5.2% Hispanic), and West Allis (17.1% Hispanic). Milwaukee is less Hispanic than neighboring West Milwaukee (28.9% Hispanic).

Milwaukee's Native American/Other Population

3,585 residents of Milwaukee, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Milwaukee is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Milwaukee ranks 243rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Milwaukee's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 34.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Milwaukee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Milwaukee is more Native American/Other than neighboring Whitefish Bay (0.3% Native American/Other). Milwaukee is less Native American/Other than neighboring West Milwaukee (1.6% Native American/Other), Wauwatosa (0.9% Native American/Other), Glendale (2.7% Native American/Other), and West Allis (0.7% Native American/Other).

Milwaukee's Multiracial Population

21,879 residents of Milwaukee, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Milwaukee is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Milwaukee ranks 279th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Milwaukee's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 5.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Milwaukee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.9%.

Milwaukee is more Multiracial than neighboring Glendale (3.5% Multiracial). Milwaukee is less Multiracial than neighboring West Milwaukee (6% Multiracial), Wauwatosa (4.8% Multiracial), Whitefish Bay (4.2% Multiracial), and West Allis (4.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.