Median Age
39 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
18%
Waukesha, WI
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,268
Population
71,615
Renter Mix
41% Rent
Delight in small-town living just outside the big city
Suburban
•
Family-Friendly
•
Welcoming
Welcome to Waukesha, Wisconsin, a historic community 18 miles west of Milwaukee. Originally known as "Spring City" for its mineral springs, Waukesha combines well-preserved architecture with contemporary living options. The downtown area showcases the impressive Waukesha County Courthouse complex, while the Fox River provides walking trails and outdoor recreation spaces. Current rental trends show moderate growth, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,219 monthly and experiencing a 2.9% annual increase, while two-bedroom units typically rent for $1,497.
Carroll University anchors the community's educational landscape, while the downtown district features independent shops and restaurants alongside regular community events. Housing options include apartment communities near The Shoppes at Fox River and residential properties in the Dunbar Oaks area. Frame Park offers riverside walking paths, and Minooka Park provides extensive trails for outdoor recreation. The city's Victorian-era architecture, stemming from its history as a mineral springs destination, remains visible throughout the historic district.
Explore the City
Downtown Waukesha is full of life during the Waukesha Farmer's Market.
Pewaukee Lake, right outside of Waukesha, is a big part of life for Waukesha residents.
Various architectural styles are found in Waukesha.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$75,866
Average: $91,365
Education
25,376
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
40,855
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Waukesha has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
41%
Non-Renters
59%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
30%
Other Education
70%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Waukesha, WI is $1,144 for a studio, $1,268 for one bedroom, $1,558 for two bedrooms, and $2,092 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Waukesha has increased by 2.7% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,268/month
728 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,998/month
1,282 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Waukesha, WI is 0.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Waukesha is 7.6% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,144 - $2,092. You can expect to pay 0.5% more for groceries, 7.2% less for utilities, and 0.8% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Waukesha, WI is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
50
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
552 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
552 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
256 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
256 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
512 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
646 Students
La Casa de Esperanza Charter School
Public
Grades PK-8
225 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
811 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
811 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
582 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,194 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,194 Students
Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy
Public
Grades 9-12
148 Students
Waukesha Academy Of Health Professions
Public
Grades 9-12
146 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,016 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Retzer Nature Center
- Lapham Peak
Airports
- General Mitchell International
Top Apartments in Waukesha
Houses for Rent in Waukesha
Property Management Companies in Waukesha, WI
Bielinski Homes
-
11
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-
968
Units
-
5
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5 Communities in Waukesha
Joseph Property Development
-
24
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-
1,945
Units
-
11
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3 Communities in Waukesha
MLG Asset Management LLC
-
71
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-
14,927
Units
-
44
Cities
2 Communities in Waukesha
Oakbrook Corporation
-
54
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-
5,225
Units
-
31
Cities
2 Communities in Waukesha
Mandel Group
-
23
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-
4,611
Units
-
14
Cities
2 Communities in Waukesha
Metropolitan Associates
-
29
Communities
-
4,009
Units
-
12
Cities
2 Communities in Waukesha
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.