Surrounding Communities

What makes Milwaukee such a great place to live? The communities of the metropolitan area, each of which offers a quality of life that can't be beat. Looking for an urban setting that's close to downtown or a rural outpost where you can enjoy nature? There is something here for everyone. Each of the five counties in the metropolitan area has its own distinct character. Milwaukee County seethes with energy. Waukesha is one of the fasted-growing counties in the state, yet it still boasts thousands of acres of natural habitat. The rolling hills of Washington County offer beautiful scenery, while historic Ozaukee County recalls life in the 19th Century with its miles of unspoiled Lake Michigan beachfront. Racine County has a thriving, modern marina and is an urban center of its own. 

Given the many wonderful options, choosing where to live may be one of the most difficult decisions you will have to make when moving to southeastern Wisconsin. One of your primary considerations will likely be finding a home near where you or your partner will work. Fortunately, Milwaukee's average commute time is among the lowest in the country, which means it's possible to live virtually anywhere in the metropolitan area and still be close to work and the urban amenities of downtown Milwaukee. Whether you want to live in one of the region's largest cities- Milwaukee, Waukesha and Racine, one of the many small-to medium-sized suburban communities, or out in the country away from it all, there is a community waiting for you. 

The following pages contain descriptions of the five counties in the metropolitan Milwaukee area. Each has its own distinct personality shaped by its geography and history. A detailed narrative about life in each county is followed by a description and important statistical data on every city, town or village in the county. The data includes information on population, median income, property tax rate, school district, recent home sales prices and the distance to downtown Milwaukee and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Cross-referencing information about the municipality’s school district with the detailed charts in the Education Section will give you a comprehensive view of the municipality’s demographics and quality of schools.

Where Sales Are “Hot”

While home sales have been strong throughout the greater metropolitan area in recent years, certain communities are experiencing an extremely active market. Four communities – Menomonee Falls, Wauwatosa, West Allis and West Milwaukee – saw median home sales prices increase by more than 10% in 2023, while the following areas experienced median home sales price increases of between 5 and 10 percent: Germantown/Richfield, Hartford, Mequon/Thiensville, Muskego/New Berlin, Racine, Waukesha, West Bend and southwestern Milwaukee County (Franklin, Greenfield, Greendale and Hales Corners).