Milwaukee, WI
53215
Milwaukee County County · Wisconsin · Pop. 57,140
Last updated: May 2026
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (ZIP code 53215) is home to approximately 57,140 residents. The median household income in 53215 is $41,104, which is 42% below the national average of $70,784. The cost of living in 53215 is reflected in its housing market - the median home value is $197,700 and the average rent is $872/month. 53215 has a violent crime rate of 546.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% above the national average - earning it a safety grade of A-. 53215 is served by with an average school rating of 5.8/10. Air quality in 53215 is rated Good with an average AQI of 45.2. The average commute time in 53215 is 25 minutes, 3 minutes below the national average. Compare 53215 vs national averages and nearby neighborhoods using our free ZipScore intelligence platform.
On This Page
👥 Demographics
Race & Ethnicity
💰 Income & Economy
Affordability Assessment: Renters spend about 25% of income on rent - within the affordable range. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.8x the median income.
🏠 Housing
🔒 Safety & Crime
Milwaukee (53215) has higher-than-average violent crime rates at 43% above the US average. Review specific crime types below for more detail.
🎓 Schools & Education
Top Schools in 53215
| School | Type | Rating | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington High School | public | 7/10 | 744 |
| Jefferson Middle School | public | 6/10 | 515 |
| Milwaukee STEM Academy | public | 6/10 | 829 |
🌡️ Climate & Weather
🌫️ Air Quality
⚠️ Natural Disaster Risk
🚗 Commute
Nearby ZIP Codes
Compare 53215 With Another ZIP
Pros and Cons of Living in Milwaukee, WI (53215)
Based on crime, housing, income, schools, and air quality data
✅ Pros
- + Affordable housing - median home value $197,700 (below national average of $303,400)
- + Affordable rent - average $872/month vs national $1,163/month
- + Good air quality - average AQI of 45.2 (rated "Good" by EPA standards)
- + Low natural disaster risk - minimal risk of flooding, earthquakes, and severe weather
⚠️ Cons
- − Higher-than-average crime - violent crime rate 43% above US average
- − Below-average income - median household income of $41,104
Data sourced from US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Statistics, and EPA. Individual experiences may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about ZIP Code 53215
What is the population of 53215? ▼
The population of ZIP code 53215 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is approximately 57,140 people.
Is 53215 safe to live in? ▼
Milwaukee (53215) has higher-than-average violent crime rates at 43% above the US average. Review specific crime types below for more detail. Safety Grade: A-.
What is the median income in 53215? ▼
The median household income in 53215 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is $41,104. The per capita income is $26,718. The US national median household income is $70,784.
What is the cost of living in 53215? ▼
Renters spend about 25% of income on rent - within the affordable range. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.8x the median income. Median home value: $197,700. Average rent: $872/month.
What are schools like in 53215? ▼
Schools in 53215 receive an Education Grade of D+. There are 3 schools with an average rating of 5.8/10 and a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. See the full schools section above for individual school listings.
What is the crime rate in 53215? ▼
The violent crime rate in 53215 is 546.0 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average of 380.7. Property crime rate: 2767.0 per 100k (national avg: 1,958.2).
What is the average rent in 53215? ▼
The median monthly rent in 53215 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is $872/month. The national median rent is $1,163/month. This ZIP code is more affordable than the national average for renters.
What is the median home value in 53215? ▼
The median home value in 53215 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is $197,700. The national median home value is $303,400. Homes in this ZIP code are more affordable than the national average.
Is 53215 a good place to live? ▼
53215 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) has a ZipScore of 52/100 - our composite score based on safety (25%), affordability (20%), schools (15%), air quality (10%), climate (10%), commute (10%), and disaster risk (10%). This area has some advantages but also tradeoffs - review each section.
What is the air quality in 53215? ▼
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in 53215 is 45.2 - rated Good by EPA standards. Average PM2.5 level: 6.3 µg/m³.
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), FBI Uniform Crime Report, EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index, and Open-Meteo. Last updated: May 2026