It’s no secret, the seven-county Milwaukee region has something for everyone.
With millions of residents and 50,000+ businesses, southeastern Wisconsin is the perfect location to begin a career, start a family, or settle down. On the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has earned its reputation as an industrious, innovative city with easy access to recreation, entertainment and so much more.
Total population for the seven counties, 2022 |
2,028,835 |
| Kenosha County | 167,817 |
| Milwaukee County | 918,661 |
| Ozaukee County | 93,009 |
| Racine County | 195,846 |
| Walworth County | 105,380 |
| Washington County | 137,688 |
| Waukesha County | 410,434 |
Labor force breakdown
August 2023
With more than 2 million residents, the seven-county Milwaukee region is Wisconsin’s population center and economic engine. Our labor force boasts a diverse set of skills – from info and biotech to engineering and business, the region’s workforce is dynamic.
| Â | Â | Population |
| Â | 16+ Civilian Population | 1,612,125 |
| Â | Â Â Â Not in Labor Force (16+) | 522,344 |
| Â | Â Â Â Labor Force | 1,089,781 |
| Â | Â Â Â Â Â Employed | 1,044,595 |
| Â | Â Â Â Â Â Unemployed | 45,186 |
| Â | Under 16, Military, and Other Population | 412,620 |
Educational attainment
The state of Wisconsin delivers when it comes to educating the talent of tomorrow.
According to a 2023 report by U.S. News and World Report, the state of Wisconsin ranked No. 8 overall in the U.S. when it comes to education, landing in the top 10 for both Pre-K-12 and secondary education.
Concerning educational attainment, 23.4% of the Milwaukee region’s residents possess a Bachelor’s degree (2.5% above the national average), and 9.3% hold an Associate’s degree (0.5% above the national average).
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% of population | Population |
|
|
Less than 9th grade | 2.7% | 37,518 |
|
|
9th grade to 12th grade | 5.1% | 71,441 |
|
|
High school diploma | 26.6% | 371,091 |
|
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Some college | 20.2% | 281,634 |
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Associate’s degree | 9.3% | 129,654 |
|
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Bachelor’s degree | 23.4% | 325,773 |
|
|
Graduate degree or higher |
12.7% |
176,734 |
Industry characteristics
Take a look around. Chances are, something you see was made in Milwaukee’s seven-county region. Manufacturing is our strong suit. In fact, the area ranks second in the U.S. in the concentration of manufacturing jobs. While manufacturing is our bread and butter, the region also boasts strength in the health care and financial sectors.
Largest Industries
Top industry gross regional product (GRP)
When it comes to productivity, the seven-county region outpaces the rest of the U.S. in several industry sectors, with healthcare and manufacturing leading the way.
Education pipeline
From K-12 to post-secondary schools, the region’s education pipeline is one of the most respected in the country. The seven-county Milwaukee area is home to a diverse mix of four-year universities and strong technical schools.
| School | Total Graduates (2022) |  Certificate  Associate's  Bachelor's  Master's or higher |
Graduate Trend (2018-2022) |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | 5,838 |  |
  |
| Marquette University | Â 3,721 |  |
  |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Â 3,159 |  |
  |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Â 2,697 | Â  |
  |
| Gateway Technical College | Â 2,683 | Â  |
  |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Â 2,019 | Â  |
  |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | Â 1,354 | Â  |
  |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | Â 1,232 | Â  |
  |
| Carroll University | Â 893 | Â  |
  |
| Carthage College | Â 761 | Â  |
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We're here.
Ready to help.
Expansion or relocation is always a challenge. The Milwaukee 7 Partnership is your local advocate, simplifying and streamlining the investment process.
Interested in learning more?