Milwaukee County Health Data
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Health Score
53/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
74.3 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
74.3 yr
State avg 77.8 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.7%
State avg 7.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
77
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
390
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Milwaukee's health lags national averages
At 74.3 years, Milwaukee County's life expectancy falls 5.2 years below the U.S. average of 79.5 years, signaling significant health challenges in the county. Nearly one in five residents report poor or fair health status (18.6%), nearly double the national average of 10%. These disparities point to underlying issues in healthcare access and chronic disease management.
Among Wisconsin's lowest life expectancies
Milwaukee County residents live 3.5 years less than the state average of 77.8 years, placing the county in the bottom tier of Wisconsin's health rankings. The 18.6% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Wisconsin's typical performance, suggesting concentrated health inequities within the county. This gap widened considerably compared to peer counties across the state.
Urban health challenges vs. suburban neighbors
Milwaukee County's 74.3-year life expectancy trails nearby Ozaukee County (81.0 years) by nearly seven years, despite being in the same metropolitan region. The county has more mental health providers (390 per 100K) than most neighbors but only 77 primary care providers per 100K, compared to Ozaukee's 150. This imbalance suggests people struggle to access the frontline care needed to prevent serious illness.
Higher uninsured rates complicate daily care
At 7.7%, Milwaukee County's uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.0%, meaning roughly one in 13 residents lack health insurance coverage. With 77 primary care providers per 100K population, access is stretched thin compared to better-resourced counties, forcing many to delay preventive visits. Mental health providers are more available than primary care, yet gaps in basic medical access drive higher rates of preventable illness.
Finding affordable coverage in Milwaukee County
If you're among the 7.7% of uninsured Milwaukee County residents, marketplace plans and Medicaid expansion programs offer pathways to coverage. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact local community health centers to explore options that fit your income and family size. Getting insured connects you to preventive care, prescription coverage, and primary providers who can help you avoid costly emergency visits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.