West Allis, WI Local Data & Statistics

State: WI

Total population: 59,612 Household income: $67,611 Rent: $1,007

Overview

Total population

59,612

Rent

$1,007

Year built

1956

Household income

$67,611

Per capita income

$39,741

Poverty rate

11.5%

Unemployment rate

3.2%

Household size

2.1 persons

Rent over 30% of income

38.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Wisconsin

Total population

59,612

Adults over 25

44,462

Total households

28,311

Household size

2.1 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$67,611

Per capita income

$39,741

Poverty rate

11.5%

Unemployment rate

3.2%

Rent over 30% of income

38.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,007

Year built

1956

Households that rent

44.5%

Households that own

55.5%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.0

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

72.9%

Black

5.7%

Asian

2.7%

Two or more races

12.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

17.1%

Not Hispanic or Latino

82.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

89.9%

Commute time to work

21 mins

Work from home

10.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

28.7%

High school graduate or GED

31.1%

Some college or associate degree

10.7%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

29.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of West Allis, WI with: Wisconsin United States

West Allis, WI

Total population59,612

Rent$1,007

Year built1956

Household income$67,611

Per capita income$39,741

Poverty rate11.5%

Unemployment rate3.2%

Wisconsin State

Total population5,914,872

Rent$1,087

Year built1975

Household income$77,485

Per capita income$43,373

Poverty rate10.6%

Unemployment rate3%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityWest Allis, WI	StateWisconsin	CountryUnited States
Total population	59,612	5,914,872	334,922,499
Rent	$1,007	$1,087	$1,413
Year built	1956	1975	1980
Household income	$67,611	$77,485	$80,734
Per capita income	$39,741	$43,373	$44,673
Poverty rate	11.5%	10.6%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	3.2%	3%	4%

View the complete comparison of West Allis, WI, Wisconsin and United States →

Summary for West Allis, WI

West Allis is located in Wisconsin.

Rent & Income

In West Allis, the typical monthly rent is $1,007 and the typical household income is $67,611. Rent here is lower than in both Wisconsin and the U.S., and household income is also lower than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 11.5%, which is higher than the Wisconsin rate but lower than the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 44.5% of households. Around 38.9% of renters are cost-burdened, indicating a moderate level of rent pressure.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 29.6% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is higher than Wisconsin and lower than the national rate.

West Allis, WI — Rent vs Household Income

West Allis, WI — Poverty vs Unemployment

How West Allis, WI compares in Wisconsin (12 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,007	3 / 12	from lower rent	$932 – $1,413
Household income	$67,611	6 / 12	from higher income	$54,234 – $83,837
Poverty rate	11.5%	4 / 12	from lower poverty	8.3% – 22.8%
Unemployment rate	3.2%	10 / 12	from lower unemployment	2.2% – 3.9%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Wisconsin with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for West Allis, WI

Rent

In rent comparisons, West Allis comes in 3rd out of 12 large places. Across Wisconsin, rents vary from $932 in Green Bay, WI to $1,413 in Madison, WI.

Household income

For median household income, West Allis is ranked 6th out of 12 large areas. Statewide incomes span from $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI to $83,837 in Waukesha, WI.

Poverty rate

For poverty rates, West Allis is ranked 4th among 12 major areas. Across Wisconsin, poverty runs from 8.3% in Appleton, WI to 22.8% in Milwaukee, WI.

Unemployment rate

For unemployment, West Allis ranks 10th out of 12 large places. Across Wisconsin, unemployment ranges from 2.2% in Madison, WI to 3.9% in Milwaukee, WI.

💰 Rent in West Allis, WI (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,007 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in West Allis, WI

Annual Household Income: $67,611

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in West Allis, WI

Estimated Rate: 11.5%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in West Allis, WI

In West Allis, WI, households that rent: 12,606 (44.5%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	12,606	44.5%
Owner-Occupied	15,705	55.5%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in West Allis, WI

In West Allis, WI, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 4,898 (38.9%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	4,898	38.9%
Other renter households	7,708	61.1%
Total renter households	12,606	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in West Allis, WI

Less than High School: 12,740 people (28.7%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 13,808 people (31.1%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 4,763 people (10.7%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 13,151 people (29.6%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 44,462

📊 Unemployment Rate in West Allis, WI

Estimated Rate: 3.2%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Youngstown, OH59,605 Monterey Park, CA59,639 Taunton, MA59,719 Santee, CA59,485 Palm Beach Gardens, FL59,751 Gardena, CA59,765 North Miami, FL59,429 Blue Springs, MO59,416 Des Plaines, IL59,408 White Plains, NY59,818

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.