Milwaukee County
WI · Pop. 927,656 · Urban County
Milwaukee County sits in Wisconsin across 241 square miles, home to 927,656 people at 3849.2 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $217,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.04% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.6°F and average winter lows of 16.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Aurora St Lukes Med Ctr South Shore is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Aurora St Lukes Med Ctr South Shore, with an emergency room, is just 1.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.04% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 3849.2 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Milwaukee County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $217k
- Property tax
- 2.04%
- Growing season
- 182 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 35.5"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Aurora St Lukes Med Ctr South Shore, 1.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Milwaukee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Milwaukee County?
- Milwaukee County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.6°F, and average winter lows of 16.2°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $217,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.04%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Aurora St Lukes Med Ctr South Shore is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 25 hospitals in the county.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Wisconsin
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The closest counties to Milwaukee County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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