-
Hart’s Mills: In 1835, Charles Hart established the first permanent settlement along the Menomonee River near Harwood Avenue, building a grist mill and saw mill.
-
Watertown Plank Road: Constructed in 1837, this 45-mile toll road connecting Milwaukee to Watertown was paved entirely with 8-foot wooden planks.
-
How Wauwatosa Got Its Name: Named after the Potawatomi word wau-wau-tae-sie (firefly) and Chief Wauwautaesie, celebrating the fireflies that filled the Menomonee River Valley. A clerical error in 1842 locked in the spelling we use today.
-
The Little Red Store (1854): Originally built as a home, it served as a post office, depot, and library before being restored by the Wauwatosa Historical Society.
Wauwatosa has an unparalleled location. We’re just four miles west of downtown Milwaukee, and have some of the region’s best shopping, dining, and community spirit.
We encourage you to explore our website and learn more about:
- How to get involved
- How to stay connected
- How to stay informed about what the Common Council and the City are working on
Stay Connected
Here are some quick resources to help you get to know our community.
Demographics
Learn about Wauwatosa’s key demographics, facts, and numbers in our Demographic Overview.
- According to the 2020 Census, Wauwatosa has a population of 48,387 residents. However, our daytime population more than doubles because 56,533 people work in Wauwatosa but live elsewhere.
- Wauwatosa is Wisconsin’s 14th largest city.
- Wauwatosa’s population has a median age of 37.9 years, younger than both the state and national median ages.
- 81.4% of Wauwatosa residents are non-Hispanic White, while 18.6% are of another race or ethnicity.
- Wauwatosa is an educated community, with 58.6% of adults holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Wauwatosa has over 23,000 housing units. 63.5% are owner-occupied with a 0.6% vacancy rate, and 36.5% are renter-occupied with a 5.5% vacancy rate.
- According to our most recent housing study published in 2023, the median home value in 2020 is $251,300 and median gross rent is $1,120 per month.
City Dashboard
Are you interested in how the city is meeting its strategic goals? Go to this city dashboard to see the latest housing vacancy rates, solar energy usage, and city service performance.
Population
| Census Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 Census | 48,387 |
| 2010 Census | 46,396 |
| 2000 Census | 47,271 |
| 1990 Census | 49,484 |
| 1980 Census | 51,310 |
| 1970 Census | 58,676 |
| 1960 Census | 56,923 |
| 1950 Census | 33,324 |
| 1940 Census | 27,769 |
| 1930 Census | 21,194 |
| 1920 Census | 5,818 |
| 1910 Census | 3,346 |
| 1900 Census | 2,842 |
| 1892 Census (Village of Wauwatosa Incorporated) | 2,248 |
Wauwatosa's History
-
1892 Incorporation: Wauwatosa officially incorporated as a village with 2,248 residents.
-
The Great Business District Fire (1895): A massive fire destroyed the entire business district from State Street through Harwood Avenue. The destruction led directly to the founding of Wauwatosa’s first paid fire department.
-
Becoming a City (1897–1898): Wauwatosa officially gained city status in 1897, electing Emerson Hoyt as its first mayor and building the Underwood Avenue City Hall and Fire House a year later.
-
Established the first full-time police department in 1915.
-
Pioneering Land Use (1921): Became the second city in Wisconsin to enact formal zoning rules, separating residential areas from commercial and industrial districts.
-
The Great Annexation (1952): A historic Common Council vote annexed 8.5 square miles from the Town of Wauwatosa, establishing the city’s 13-square-mile footprint.
-
Mayfair Mall Grand Opening (1958): Transformed Wauwatosa into a regional shopping destination when Mayfair Shopping Center opened as an open-air mall featuring a central park, Gimbels, and Marshall Field’s.
-
Emergence of the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (1960s–1980s): The historical County Grounds evolved into the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC), now home to Froedtert Hospital, Children’s Wisconsin, and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
-
Preserving Local Heritage (1977): The Wauwatosa Historical Society was officially incorporated, leading to the restoration of the 1854 Little Red Store and the acquisition of the historic Kneeland-Walker House.
-
Population Stabilization & Reinvestment (2010s–Present): Wauwatosa evolved into a thriving second-class city of over 48,000, revitalizing the historic Village center alongside economic developments like The Mayfair Collection.