Milwaukee, WI town hall & government
Milwaukee spent $1.4 billion in the year to December 31, 2024, about $2,426 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Milwaukee's government.
Who runs Milwaukee
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Milwaukee's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Property taxes 25%
- From the state 20%
- Fees & charges 20%
- From the federal government 14%
- Utility sales 6%
- Interest, fines & other 6%
- From other local governments 6%
- Other taxes & licenses 2%
Who works for Milwaukee
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Milwaukee School District
Milwaukee's K–12 school district. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Wisconsin districts overall: 39% local, 50% state, 11% federal
- Local 18%
- State 51%
- Federal 31%
Of the $20,815 per pupil, $11,099 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Milwaukee kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Milwaukee pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Milwaukee's government
Who represents Milwaukee
Milwaukee is represented in Congress by Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin and Representative Gwen Moore. Tony Evers is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.