Average Income in Milwaukee, WI
About Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee's economy reflects Rust Belt heritage with manufacturing, healthcare, brewing, and education providing employment across 21 ZIP codes. Manufacturing employment has declined significantly but persists in machinery and specialized sectors. Healthcare institutions (Medical College of Wisconsin, Aurora, Froedtert) provide substantial employment. Brewing industry legacy (Miller, Lakefront) supports tourism and production roles. The creative economy and arts scene attract young professionals downtown. Bay View and Riverwest neighborhoods attract younger residents seeking affordability and walkability. Income levels are among the nation's lowest, reflecting post-industrial economic challenges. Significant neighborhoods show stark income and racial segregation. Wisconsin's moderate income tax (up to 7.65%) and no sales tax on groceries provide modest relief. Housing costs remain very affordable, supporting homeownership, but employment opportunities and wage growth remain constrained. Economic recovery efforts focus on tech startups and creative sector development.
All 20 ZIP Codes in Milwaukee, WI
| ZIP Code | Avg AGI ▼ | Returns | National Rank | % Under $25K | % Over $200K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53217 | $215,287 | 14,790 | #749 | 18.7% | 25.2% |
| 53202 | $115,988 | 15,360 | #3,180 | 19.7% | 9.9% |
| 53203 | $84,148 | 1,430 | #7,565 | 18.9% | 7.0% |
| 53222 | $65,739 | 12,950 | #15,246 | 23.8% | 2.7% |
| 53227 | $60,187 | 12,120 | #18,550 | 23.3% | 1.7% |
| 53221 | $55,826 | 19,000 | #21,235 | 29.5% | 1.7% |
| 53219 | $55,734 | 17,620 | #21,285 | 25.5% | 1.1% |
| 53224 | $55,479 | 9,250 | #21,429 | 33.2% | 1.8% |
| 53223 | $53,363 | 12,990 | #22,647 | 31.7% | 1.3% |
| 53204 | $51,549 | 15,400 | #23,523 | 39.7% | 1.4% |
| 53212 | $51,303 | 12,470 | #23,629 | 36.7% | 2.3% |
| 53209 | $49,616 | 19,400 | #24,398 | 38.6% | 2.1% |
| 53208 | $49,259 | 12,110 | #24,551 | 36.5% | 1.8% |
| 53225 | $46,364 | 11,250 | #25,508 | 35.0% | 1.0% |
| 53210 | $42,028 | 10,240 | #26,443 | 42.2% | 1.1% |
| 53216 | $41,157 | 12,850 | #26,606 | 40.2% | 0.7% |
| 53218 | $37,175 | 16,230 | #27,102 | 42.3% | 0.3% |
| 53205 | $35,725 | 3,390 | #27,228 | 48.1% | 0.0% |
| 53233 | $31,384 | 2,860 | #27,492 | 52.8% | 0.0% |
| 53206 | $28,513 | 7,690 | #27,547 | 55.9% | 0.0% |
Nearby Major Cities
Closest cities with 50,000+ tax returns filed, sorted by distance from Milwaukee.
| City | State | Avg AGI | Returns | ZIPs | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Racine | WI | $67,743 | 62,510 | 5 | 24 mi |
| Kenosha | WI | $66,177 | 53,930 | 4 | 34 mi |
| Madison | WI | $98,052 | 126,460 | 10 | 73 mi |
| Lincolnwood | IL | $87,261 | 51,300 | 3 | 75 mi |
| Rockford | IL | $61,024 | 82,110 | 8 | 78 mi |
| Chicago | IL | $100,730 | 1,041,890 | 46 | 87 mi |
| Appleton | WI | $86,320 | 63,610 | 4 | 89 mi |
| Aurora | IL | $60,603 | 68,870 | 3 | 91 mi |
| Naperville | IL | $167,679 | 79,280 | 4 | 92 mi |
| Green Bay | WI | $87,144 | 53,620 | 3 | 100 mi |