The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 53209 sells for about $161,000, or $115 per square foot.
Prices are up +26.7% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $988 a month.
ZIP 53209 — Milwaukee
The 53209 housing market is experiencing a rebound in activity, with a significant year-over-year price increase of 26.7% as of March 2026. While inventory remains tight, the market is shifting toward a seller-leaning environment, driven by high demand for affordable entry-level homes. Buyers are facing competitive conditions, though the pace of sales remains moderate compared to broader national trends.
This ZIP is well-suited for first-time homebuyers and investors seeking entry-level price points, as well as renters looking for proximity to the city's employment hubs without the premium costs of the suburbs.
Median prices moved up 26.7% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 100% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 8.6% · poverty 23.7% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 53209, Milwaukee County WI
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the 53209 area remain higher than the national average, with local reports indicating persistent challenges regarding property and violent crime compared to suburban Milwaukee County.
Schools serving the area are primarily part of the Milwaukee Public Schools district, which faces ongoing challenges with academic performance and resource allocation, though some pockets in the northern section are served by higher-rated suburban districts.
The area is primarily an urban environment with standard risks for wind and storm damage; flood risk is localized to specific low-lying areas near the Milwaukee River corridor.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to the industrial and commercial corridors of northern Milwaukee, with ongoing efforts to revitalize older residential stock and attract small-business investment.
Property taxes are assessed by the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, with rates reflecting the city's reliance on property tax revenue to fund municipal services and the Milwaukee Public Schools system.
Residents have direct access to I-43, providing a standard 15-20 minute commute to downtown Milwaukee, with moderate public transit connectivity via Milwaukee County Transit System bus routes.
The area features several local parks and green spaces, including Lincoln Park, which offers trails and river access, alongside proximity to shopping centers along the Silver Spring Drive corridor.
The rental market is characterized by high demand for affordable housing, with low vacancy rates and a significant presence of individual investors managing single-family rental properties.
The local economy is anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, and retail sectors, with many residents commuting to major employers in downtown Milwaukee and the surrounding industrial parks.
The area is served by a grid-based street network and the Milwaukee County Transit System, with I-43 acting as the primary artery for regional travel.
Development is focused on infill housing and the rehabilitation of existing residential structures rather than large-scale new construction.
The City of Milwaukee Assessor's Office manages property valuations, typically conducting revaluations to align assessments with market trends.
Parcels are subject to Milwaukee Public Schools district taxes and municipal levies for city services, including police, fire, and sanitation.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by the age of the housing stock and regional weather patterns, with standard coverage available through major national carriers.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Slick City Action Park4.47.8 mi
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park4.413.4 mi
- Dave & Buster's Wauwatosa3.97.1 mi
- Round1 Bowling & Arcade - Greendale3.812.7 mi
- K1 Speed Milwaukee4.414.3 mi
- American Family Field4.77 mi
- Fiserv Forum4.75.8 mi
- Milwaukee Public Market4.76.6 mi
- Wisconsin State Fair Park4.58.2 mi
- Baird Center4.56.2 mi
- Milwaukee County Zoo4.68.2 mi
- Harley-Davidson Museum®4.76.7 mi
- Milwaukee Art Museum4.86.5 mi
- Mitchell Park Domes Horticulture Conservatory4.77 mi
- Lakefront Brewery4.65.4 mi
- Harley-Davidson Museum®4.76.7 mi
- Milwaukee Art Museum4.86.5 mi
- Milwaukee Public Museum4.86.1 mi
- Discovery World4.66.7 mi
- Miller High Life Theatre®4.56 mi
- Mitchell Park Domes Horticulture Conservatory4.77 mi
- Friends of Firefly Grove Park4.97.6 mi
- Bradford Beach4.65.7 mi
- Schlitz Audubon Nature Center4.84.4 mi
- Cathedral Square Park4.66.2 mi
- South Shore Yacht Club4.69.5 mi
- McKinley Marina Central Docks4.66.1 mi
- Port Washington Marina4.718.4 mi
- Milwaukee Yacht Club4.56 mi
- South Milwaukee Yacht Club4.516.1 mi
- Brown Deer Park Golf Course4.52 mi
- Dretzka Park Golf Course4.46.4 mi
- Wanaki Golf Course4.411.5 mi
- New Berlin Hills Golf Course4.310.8 mi
- Currie Park Golf Course4.36.2 mi
- Mayfair4.26.7 mi
- Milwaukee Public Market4.76.6 mi
- Southridge Mall4.112.7 mi
- 3rd St. Market Hall4.56.3 mi
- Bayshore4.21.5 mi
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport4.512.8 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A large municipal park featuring trails, a golf course, and access to the Milwaukee River.
A major commercial corridor providing local retail, dining, and essential services.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.