Waukesha County

Waukesha County, Wisconsin — key demographics

Population size

• 406,978 (2020 Census)
• 2023 estimate: about 409,000 (U.S. Census Population Estimates)

Age

• Median age: ~43 years (2020)
• Under 18: ~22%
• 65 and over: ~19%

Gender

• Female: ~50.6%
• Male: ~49.4%

Racial/ethnic composition (2020 Census)

• White alone: ~90.9%
• Black or African American alone: ~1.4%
• Asian alone: ~3.7%
• American Indian and Alaska Native alone: ~0.3%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: ~0.0%
• Two or More Races: ~3.6%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): ~5.6%
• White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: ~86.7%

Household data

• Households: ~163,000 (2018–2022 ACS)
• Persons per household: 2.49 (2018–2022 ACS)
• Family households: ~70% of households (2018–2022 ACS)
• Married-couple households: ~54% (2018–2022 ACS)
• Owner-occupied housing rate: ~77% (2018–2022 ACS)

Insights

• Older age profile than the U.S. overall, predominantly non-Hispanic White, high homeownership and married-couple family prevalence, and modest growth since 2020.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2020 Decennial Census; 2018–2022 American Community Survey; 2023 Population Estimates).

Email usage in Waukesha County, WI

• Estimated users: ~330,000 residents use email, reflecting near‑universal adoption among online adults and a high broadband‑subscription rate.
• Age adoption: 18–29 ≈98%; 30–49 ≈98%; 50–64 ≈95%; 65+ ≈90%. Usage is effectively universal through middle age and remains very high among seniors.
• Gender split: Essentially even (female ≈96%, male ≈95%).
• Digital access trends: About 96% of households have a computer and ~93% have a home broadband subscription (ACS). Subscription and device access have risen several points since 2019, and smartphone access is widespread, with a small minority relying on cellular‑only internet. Work‑from‑home and telehealth adoption continue to reinforce daily email use.
• Local density/connectivity: Population ~410,000; density ~740 people per square mile. As a high‑income suburban county in the Milwaukee metro, Waukesha’s broadband subscription rate exceeds the Wisconsin average. The I‑94 corridor and major suburbs (e.g., Brookfield, Waukesha, New Berlin) have extensive cable/fiber coverage; lower‑density western townships show slightly lower subscription rates but remain well above typical rural levels.

Overall: Email is a mature, near‑universal channel locally, with minimal demographic gaps and strong infrastructure support.

Mobile phone usage in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — 2024 snapshot and how it differs from the state

Core size and adoption

• Population and households: ~410,000 residents; ~164,000 households (2023 ACS estimates).
• Smartphone users: ~370,000 residents use smartphones (≈90–92% of total population; ≈93–95% of adults), higher than Wisconsin’s ≈88–90% adult smartphone ownership.
• Households with a smartphone: ≈92–94% in Waukesha vs ≈88–90% statewide.
• Mobile-only households (use cellular data but no fixed home broadband): ≈6–8% in Waukesha vs ≈12–14% statewide; significantly less reliance on phones as the sole internet connection than the state average.

Demographic breakdown (key differences vs Wisconsin)

• Age:
  • 18–34: ≈97–99% smartphone adoption (county and state both very high).
  • 35–54: ≈94–96% in Waukesha (≈2–3 pp above state).
  • 55–64: ≈90–92% in Waukesha (≈3–5 pp above state).
  • 65+: ≈80–85% in Waukesha (vs ≈72–78% statewide), reflecting higher income/education among seniors.
• Income and education:
  • Median household income ≈$95–100k vs Wisconsin ≈$72–75k; bachelor’s-or-higher ≈44–47% vs ≈31–33% statewide.
  • Higher income correlates with near-saturation smartphone adoption, more multi-line family plans, and more connected devices (watches, tablets, vehicles) per household.
• Plan mix and devices:
  • Postpaid share is higher and prepaid share lower than the state average, reflecting credit profiles and device financing patterns.
  • Higher penetration of wearables and connected-car lines than Wisconsin overall.

Digital infrastructure and performance

• Coverage:
  • 4G LTE: Near-universal across populated areas.
  • 5G: All three national carriers provide countywide 5G; mid-band 5G (T‑Mobile 2.5 GHz; Verizon/AT&T C‑band) covers an estimated 85–90% of residents, materially higher than Wisconsin’s ≈65–70%.
• Speeds and capacity:
  • Typical observed mobile download speeds: ~120–160 Mbps on mid-band 5G in the urban/suburban east (Brookfield, Waukesha, New Berlin, Muskego), ~60–120 Mbps in exurban “Lake Country” (Oconomowoc, Merton, Delafield), exceeding statewide medians by roughly 30–60%.
  • Uplink commonly 10–25 Mbps on mid-band 5G in denser areas.
• Network build characteristics:
  • Dense macro coverage along I‑94/I‑41 corridors and commercial zones, with small-cell and C‑band densification in Brookfield, City of Waukesha, and retail corridors.
  • Robust fiber backhaul footprint from multiple providers underpins higher mobile capacity than the state average.
• Fixed wireless and broadband interplay:
  • 5G home internet (FWA): T‑Mobile widely available countywide; Verizon 5G Home concentrated in the denser eastern half. Take-up is moderate (≈6–8% of households) due to strong cable/fiber competition, lower than Wisconsin’s ≈10–12%.
  • Cable/fiber availability keeps mobile-only reliance low and improves indoor Wi‑Fi offload, indirectly benefiting mobile network performance.
• Public safety:
  • FirstNet (AT&T Band 14) present; agencies benefit from priority coverage, with especially strong service along major corridors and population centers.

Trends that distinguish Waukesha County from the Wisconsin average

• Higher adoption at every age band, especially among adults 55+ and seniors, narrowing the age-driven digital gap seen elsewhere in the state.
• Fewer mobile-only households and greater device-per-household density, driven by higher income, education, and home broadband availability.
• More extensive mid-band 5G coverage and higher typical mobile speeds, reflecting denser infrastructure and fiber backhaul.
• Lower prepaid share and higher attachment of secondary devices (watches/tablets/vehicle modems), increasing total active mobile lines per household.
• Usage patterns skew toward commuter corridors and retail districts rather than the rural coverage challenges that dominate in many Wisconsin counties; remaining weak spots are mainly exurban lake areas with terrain/vegetation constraints.

Bottom line Waukesha County is a high-penetration, infrastructure-rich mobile market with faster 5G, broader mid-band coverage, and lower mobile-only dependence than Wisconsin overall. Its suburban economics and dense transport corridors support higher device counts and better performance, with gaps largely confined to exurban lake country rather than systemic statewide limitations.

Waukesha County, WI — social media usage snapshot (2024–2025)

Scope and sources

• Local population and age/gender structure: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 ACS/estimates).
• Platform adoption rates: Pew Research Center, Social Media Use (2024). Because platform-by-county figures aren’t published, the platform counts below apply Pew’s adult adoption percentages to Waukesha’s adult population for a best-available, locally scaled view.

User base and demographics

• Population: ~410,000; adults (18+): ~324,000.
• Gender: ~50–51% female, ~49–50% male.
• Age skew: Older-than-U.S.-average (median low-40s), meaning a larger share of 35–64 and 65+ than the nation.

How many adults use social media

• Any social media: ~72% of U.S. adults. Applied locally ≈ 230,000–235,000 adults in Waukesha use at least one platform.

Most-used platforms (adult reach; local counts derived from Pew 2024 U.S. percentages)

• YouTube (83% of adults): ≈ 269,000
• Facebook (68%): ≈ 220,000
• Instagram (47%): ≈ 152,000
• Pinterest (35%): ≈ 113,000
• TikTok (33%): ≈ 107,000
• Snapchat (30%): ≈ 97,000
• LinkedIn (30%): ≈ 97,000
• WhatsApp (29%): ≈ 94,000
• X/Twitter (22%): ≈ 71,000
• Reddit (22%): ≈ 71,000
• Nextdoor (20%): ≈ 65,000 Notes:
• Given the county’s suburban profile, Nextdoor and Facebook Groups usage likely sits at or above these national-rate estimates.
• LinkedIn adoption is buoyed by Waukesha’s high-income, college-educated, white-collar workforce.

Age-group patterns (behavioral emphasis)

• 18–29: Heavy short‑form video and messaging; Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat dominate for daily use and creator-led content. YouTube is near-universal for entertainment/how‑to.
• 30–49: Multi‑platform power users; Facebook/Instagram for family, school and community updates; YouTube for how‑to/home projects; TikTok/Reels rising for product discovery. Strong Messenger/WhatsApp use for coordination.
• 50–64: Facebook and YouTube anchor usage; high engagement with local groups, events, Marketplace, and service referrals. Pinterest for home/food/hobbies; LinkedIn for professional networking.
• 65+: Facebook for family/grandchildren updates and local news; YouTube for tutorials and church/community content; Nextdoor for neighborhood information and municipal notices.

Gender breakdown by platform (directional skews consistent with Pew 2024)

• Female-leaning: Pinterest (strongly), Instagram (moderately), Facebook (slight), TikTok (slight).
• Male-leaning: Reddit (strongly), X/Twitter (moderate), LinkedIn (slight).
• Balanced: YouTube, Snapchat, WhatsApp.

Behavioral trends in Waukesha County

• Community-first engagement: Facebook Groups and Nextdoor are primary hubs for HOAs, schools, youth sports, faith communities, municipal updates, and hyperlocal alerts (roads, weather, public safety).
• Local discovery and commerce: Facebook Events and Instagram for the Waukesha County Fair, farmers’ markets, festivals, breweries; Marketplace and Nextdoor for buy/sell/trade; strong word‑of‑mouth for local contractors and home services.
• Video-led learning: YouTube (and increasingly Reels/TikTok) for DIY, home improvement, outdoor/seasonal projects, and product research; how‑to content outperforms pure promos.
• Trust and news: Facebook remains a leading gateway to local news outlets and public agencies; older adults rely on it for civic information.
• Professional networking: Above‑average LinkedIn activity aligns with the county’s manufacturing, healthcare, engineering, and business services base; weekday, work‑hour engagement is strong.
• Family life cadence: Peaks around early morning, lunch, and evenings; weekend spikes tied to youth sports, church, and community events. School-calendar seasonality shapes engagement.
• Privacy/brand sensitivity: Preference for practical, community-benefit content (clear value, coupons, timely alerts) over high-gloss ads; transparency and local relevance drive clicks and shares.

Key takeaways

• Facebook + YouTube anchor overall reach; Instagram is essential for under‑40s; TikTok growth is meaningful but moderated by the county’s older age mix.
• Nextdoor and Facebook Groups punch above their weight for neighborhood-level impact.
• For performance: lead with helpful short‑form video, local proof (reviews/referrals), and event-based hooks; align posting times with family/work rhythms.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (2023); Pew Research Center, Social Media Use (2024).