These Are The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Milwaukee For 2018


We used data and science to identify the neighborhoods in Milwaukee that are the real pits.

Sam Sparkes, RoadSnacks
December 5, 2017 - 20,453 views
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This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don’t freak out.
Worst Neighborhoods In Milwaukee
Source: Wikipedia User Dori | GFDL

Milwaukee’s neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You’ve got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.

It seems as if there’s a neighborhood for everyone in Milwaukee.

And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the country thanks in part to a strong economy and tons of entertainment, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in Milwaukee. Some neighborhoods aren’t as great as others.

So the question arises, which Milwaukee neighborhoods are the worst, and which are the best?

Today, we’ll use science and data to determine which Milwaukee hoods need a little tender loving care – the sore thumbs of the Milwaukee area if you will. Realistically, you can’t expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Downer Woods ranks way above the rest.

We examined 187 of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods to find out the worst places to live. These places don’t quite measure up to Milwaukee’s reputation.

Here are the 10 worst neighborhoods in Milwaukee according to data:

  1. Haymarket
  2. Havenwoods
  3. Metcalfe Park
  4. Hillside
  5. Fairfield
  6. Grover Heights
  7. Dretzka Park
  8. Hilltop Parish
  9. King Park
  10. Triangle North

Read on to see how we determined the places around Milwaukee that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don’t blame the messenger.

Once you’re done, you can look at the bottom of the story for a complete chart of every neighborhood we looked at from worst to best.

Looking for places to avoid outside of the city? You can also check out the worst suburbs of Milwaukee.

For more reading on Wisconsin, check out:

How we determined the worst Milwaukee hoods

To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We threw the following criteria into this analysis in order to get the best, most complete results possible. We used this set of criteria for each neighborhood in Milwaukee:

  • High unemployment (Less jobs)
  • Low median income (Less pay)
  • Low population density (No things to do)
  • Low home values (No one’s willing to pay to live here)
  • High crime (Estimated)

Then, we ranked each neighborhood in Milwaukee for each of these criteria from worst to best.

Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criteria into a ‘Worst Score’.

The neighborhood with the lowest ‘Worst Score’ ranks as the worst neighborhood of Milwaukee.

Read on below to learn more about these terrible places around Milwaukee to live. Or skip to the end to see the list of all 187 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.

This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. Hold on to your pants.

1. Haymarket

Population: 550
Median Income: $17,778
Median Home Value: $39,550

2. Havenwoods

Population: 1,142
Median Income: $26,516
Median Home Value: $72,100

3. Metcalfe Park

Population: 2,435
Median Income: $20,698
Median Home Value: $63,625

4. Hillside

Population: 1,613
Median Income: $19,088
Median Home Value: $50,167

5. Fairfield

Population: 2,660
Median Income: $28,151
Median Home Value: $75,680

6. Grover Heights

Population: 372
Median Income: $19,564
Median Home Value: $100,000

7. Dretzka Park

Population: 631
Median Income: $25,024
Median Home Value: $83,200

8. Hilltop Parish

Population: 330
Median Income: $27,068
Median Home Value: $84,600

9. King Park

Population: 2,162
Median Income: $19,246
Median Home Value: $57,040

10. Triangle North

Population: 1,599
Median Income: $25,735
Median Home Value: $91,020

The ‘hoods around Milwaukee that are really hoods

Well there you have it — the worst of the neighborhoods in Milwaukee with Haymarket landing at the bottom of the pack.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Milwaukee aren’t all bad. Downer Woods takes the cake as the best place to live in Milwaukee.

We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.

For more Wisconsin reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Worst Milwaukee Neighborhoods

Rank Neighborhood Population Median Income Median Home Values
1 Haymarket 550 $17,778 $39,550
2 Havenwoods 1,142 $26,516 $72,100
3 Metcalfe Park 2,435 $20,698 $63,625
4 Hillside 1,613 $19,088 $50,167
5 Fairfield 2,660 $28,151 $75,680
6 Grover Heights 372 $19,564 $100,000
7 Dretzka Park 631 $25,024 $83,200
8 Hilltop Parish 330 $27,068 $84,600
9 King Park 2,162 $19,246 $57,040
10 Triangle North 1,599 $25,735 $91,020
11 Park West 6,624 $21,558 $60,064
12 Baran Park 752 $26,816 $83,250
13 Walnut Hill 2,275 $23,652 $66,750
14 North Division 6,726 $24,325 $68,033
15 Garden Homes 2,557 $26,244 $71,900
16 Clock Tower Acres 903 $27,211 $85,300
17 Borchert Field 4,128 $23,077 $59,383
18 Merrill Park 2,928 $21,244 $63,417
19 Harambee 11,608 $22,493 $76,971
20 Washington Park 4,431 $24,989 $65,433
21 Brynwood 1,272 $31,188 $63,000
22 Halyard Park 703 $23,806 $115,550
23 Sherman Park 6,911 $26,676 $80,435
24 Franklin Heights 7,244 $24,555 $59,670
25 Graceland 2,692 $31,416 $91,850
26 Old North Milwaukee 10,796 $27,618 $74,567
27 Midtown 7,019 $28,033 $70,062
28 Park View 400 $14,940 $88,800
29 Martin Drive 1,463 $30,073 $91,850
30 Williamsburg 3,222 $28,239 $85,380
31 Arlington Heights 4,534 $22,479 $59,383
32 Triangle 804 $37,544 $93,400
33 Valhalla 4,023 $29,641 $60,925
34 Roosevelt Grove 5,652 $28,775 $82,955
35 North Meadows 2,072 $25,599 $131,850
36 Lincoln Park 5,092 $29,951 $85,386
37 Historic Mitchell Street 11,328 $24,387 $74,555
38 Rufus King 4,125 $28,446 $88,571
39 Menomonee River Hills East 3,384 $41,210 $100,925
40 Mcgovern Park 3,608 $37,367 $79,650
41 Menomonee River Valley 2,350 $28,452 $89,986
42 Walker’S Point 6,876 $28,545 $99,262
43 Cold Spring Park 2,414 $19,628 $102,533
44 Freedom Village 209 $33,235 $81,700
45 Muskego Way 11,811 $25,256 $72,892
46 Dineen Park 3,900 $29,727 $104,020
47 Whispering Hills 250 $33,235 $81,700
48 Lincoln Village 12,330 $25,726 $90,942
49 Avenues West 8,843 $19,669 $25,323
50 Mitchell Park 118 $13,706 $181,700
51 Veterans Affairs 256 $13,706 $181,700
52 Granville Woods 337 $33,235 $81,700
53 Lincoln Creek 7,613 $35,118 $79,633
54 Clarke Square 7,512 $24,456 $84,550
55 Silver Swan 3,367 $32,510 $99,800
56 Hampton Heights 7,896 $32,995 $82,214
57 Servite Woods 1,029 $42,882 $59,600
58 Grasslyn Manor 4,813 $34,005 $108,820
59 Northridge 1,792 $25,258 $122,750
60 Concordia 3,430 $18,220 $126,725
61 Town And Country Manor 1,516 $37,485 $114,433
62 Forest Home Hills 5,884 $30,880 $96,350
63 Silver Spring 12,771 $33,595 $88,893
64 Land Bank 2,186 $41,511 $94,500
65 Silver City 4,730 $33,058 $93,740
66 Northridge Lakes 2,232 $21,714 $128,600
67 Saint Joseph 6,023 $33,742 $113,592
68 Granville Station 1,785 $45,960 $120,033
69 Southgate 2,375 $36,392 $92,750
70 North Granville 2,481 $26,772 $157,800
71 Mitchell West 3,535 $40,965 $112,825
72 Wahl Park 2,278 $43,959 $87,167
73 Thurston Woods 3,526 $32,998 $91,740
74 Holler Park 520 $51,625 $122,200
75 National Park 2,341 $30,053 $100,125
76 Sunset Heights 4,436 $34,653 $116,986
77 Timmerman West 5,267 $36,796 $110,100
78 Timmerman Airport 503 $45,665 $126,200
79 Tripoli Park 570 $50,559 $122,300
80 Parkway Hills 930 $32,660 $130,150
81 Kilbourn Town 3,748 $41,881 $56,250
82 Vogel Park 2,372 $35,534 $125,367
83 Grantosa 1,299 $45,614 $103,700
84 Maple Tree 1,213 $37,125 $152,200
85 Lenox Heights 1,978 $33,768 $129,220
86 Burnham Park 8,268 $36,004 $97,233
87 Uptown 6,803 $35,447 $106,300
88 Miller Valley 1,460 $47,576 $130,300
89 Polonia 6,636 $35,936 $118,962
90 Heritage Heights 1,952 $37,125 $152,200
91 Capitol Heights 6,632 $45,530 $101,391
92 Brown Deer Park 1,400 $50,559 $122,300
93 Wyrick Park 1,760 $39,330 $119,100
94 Layton Park 8,800 $41,080 $110,400
95 Columbus Park 4,382 $41,795 $102,683
96 Wilson Park 3,930 $34,915 $114,925
97 Little Menomonee Parkway 1,033 $35,290 $137,550
98 Lindsay Park 4,933 $36,184 $121,220
99 New Coeln 92 $37,059 $136,500
100 Arlington Gardens 2,633 $36,764 $112,625
101 Fair Park 1,485 $42,024 $127,067
102 Zoo 649 $39,714 $135,900
103 Southpoint 3,165 $38,333 $134,600
104 Ridgeview 595 $23,448 $160,900
105 Bradley Estates 1,668 $57,580 $112,467
106 Florist Highlands 1,255 $42,698 $156,300
107 Park Knoll 685 $50,398 $139,950
108 Woodland Court 654 $41,441 $156,200
109 Menomonee River Hills 8,506 $44,408 $125,662
110 Estabrook Park 715 $32,314 $178,400
111 Riverton Heights 487 $60,050 $145,600
112 Morgandale 8,727 $45,576 $130,140
113 Johnson’S Woods 2,736 $41,759 $127,400
114 Castle Manor 3,478 $41,357 $147,940
115 Jones’ Island 603 $44,654 $131,700
116 Enderis Park 3,012 $40,787 $141,017
117 Bluemound Heights 3,707 $42,495 $128,043
118 Mitchell Field 1,782 $45,830 $148,200
119 Hawley Farms 1,446 $42,499 $118,500
120 Saint Amelian’S 1,624 $45,407 $106,100
121 Pheasant Run 1,931 $52,805 $131,300
122 Long View 3,097 $46,002 $102,525
123 Cannon Park 2,074 $46,528 $140,700
124 Mount Olivet 822 $36,769 $194,300
125 The Valley-Pigsville 428 $55,666 $140,600
126 Pollber Heights 99 $50,464 $160,900
127 Root Creek 1,807 $55,067 $127,000
128 Melody View 143 $50,464 $160,900
129 Menomonee River Parkway 502 $44,643 $125,400
130 Calumet Farms 1,151 $61,658 $234,500
131 Park Place 1,163 $61,658 $234,500
132 Maitland Park 712 $55,467 $144,600
133 Rolling Green 2,045 $41,441 $156,200
134 Story Hill 1,776 $47,746 $169,375
135 Honey Creek Parkway 889 $51,714 $139,700
136 Mill Valley 838 $65,000 $132,800
137 Jackson Park 7,640 $46,859 $153,082
138 Cambridge Heights 2,053 $32,865 $226,260
139 Harbor View 1,070 $47,787 $145,733
140 Clayton Crest 1,895 $54,864 $166,350
141 Saveland Park 1,220 $59,442 $145,800
142 Nash Park 2,479 $49,425 $120,067
143 Copernicus Park 1,468 $49,983 $155,100
144 Kops Park 3,198 $57,407 $126,900
145 White Manor 1,933 $50,393 $145,233
146 Hawthorne Glen 260 $48,250 $156,400
147 Historic Third Ward 940 $79,643 $115,500
148 Tippecanoe 6,120 $56,206 $147,378
149 Town Of Lake 5,370 $57,998 $145,883
150 Fairview 3,714 $51,926 $140,157
151 Lyons Park 1,621 $55,708 $129,200
152 Riverwest 11,996 $38,680 $159,800
153 Honey Creek Manor 2,863 $43,884 $133,700
154 Brewer’S Hill 2,180 $39,910 $167,750
155 Alcott Park 1,724 $67,302 $176,150
156 Bay View 15,247 $54,759 $149,796
157 Morgan Heights 1,793 $67,302 $176,150
158 River Bend 1,496 $49,963 $146,650
159 Goldman Park 2,119 $57,681 $153,350
160 Wick Field 645 $48,250 $156,400
161 West View 2,009 $49,410 $158,900
162 Mack Acres 282 $79,427 $193,500
163 College Heights 930 $62,616 $138,600
164 Golden Gate 405 $79,427 $193,500
165 Valley Forge 191 $57,391 $175,200
166 Green Moor 626 $58,384 $161,500
167 Highwood Estates 1,948 $38,665 $150,050
168 Euclid Park 1,785 $44,485 $165,600
169 Alverno 1,082 $50,344 $221,300
170 Gra-Ram 2,345 $52,332 $160,333
171 Riverside Park 2,516 $35,214 $212,433
172 Yankee Hill 3,262 $38,993 $152,700
173 Golden Valley 2,660 $61,355 $143,917
174 Mount Mary 1,911 $75,394 $160,850
175 Cooper Park 3,224 $63,129 $156,900
176 Harder’S Oaks 484 $55,500 $173,300
177 Wedgewood 1,452 $69,696 $178,650
178 Washington Heights 6,914 $63,497 $150,910
179 Upper East Side 3,253 $57,226 $294,550
180 Murray Hill 4,031 $44,403 $292,638
181 Fernwood 2,630 $60,260 $174,040
182 Red Oak Heights 986 $71,944 $195,400
183 Schlitz Park 463 $64,750 $232,800
184 Juneau Town 5,330 $54,999 $220,483
185 Northpoint 5,174 $61,377 $302,400
186 Lower East Side 11,164 $44,892 $188,825
187 Downer Woods 4,405 $63,620 $312,175

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