Biggest sources of immigrants to Milwaukee
Written by:
April 4, 2021
Joseph Oropel // Shutterstock
Biggest sources of immigrants to Milwaukee
Nearly 14% of the United States population is composed of immigrants. But in reality, the vast majority of Americans today are here because of relatives who immigrated from other countries some time in the last several hundred years.
And while the distinctive American culture and spirit is the result of blending many diverse cultures and histories, the United States has for centuries had an up-and-down relationship with immigration.
Each era of immigration has been met with reductive ideas and resistance, whether the backlash was directed toward the Chinese, Irish, Italians, or Mexicans. Immigration laws have targeted specific groups at various times, stoking intolerance and preventing people from truly joining American society. Over time, however, as laws changed to be more equitable and immigrants found their footings, we have reaped the rewards of innovation in business, music, art, literature, dance, food, societal norms, entertainment, and sports—all while realizing a greater understanding of and respect for different cultures, religions, and ideas.
Stacker compiled a list of the countries most immigrants to Milwaukee come from, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Countries are ranked by highest number of foreign-born residents who lived in Milwaukee as of 2019’s five-year estimates.
Keep reading to find out more about the immigrant community in your home city.
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MEDIAIMAG // Shutterstock
#50. Austria
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 308
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 43,103
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #92 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 308
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 43,103
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #92 most common country of origin
2 / 50
Henrik Palm // Wikimedia Commons
#49. Belarus
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 332
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 63,642
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #78 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 332
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 63,642
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #78 most common country of origin
3 / 50
JMRAFFi // Wikimedia Commons
#48. El Salvador
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 335
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 335
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
4 / 50
Wikimedia Commons
#47. Israel
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 359
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 135,672
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #50 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 359
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 135,672
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #50 most common country of origin
5 / 50
Pixabay
#46. Netherlands
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 361
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 85,161
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #69 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 361
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 85,161
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #69 most common country of origin
6 / 50
Augustin Lazaroiu // Shutterstock
#45. Romania
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 362
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 162,046
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #45 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 362
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 162,046
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #45 most common country of origin
7 / 50
Elena Simona Craciun // Shutterstock
#44. Nicaragua
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 390
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 251,913
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #33 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 390
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 251,913
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #33 most common country of origin
8 / 50
ZGPhotography // Shutterstock
#43. Hungary
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 394
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 65,873
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #77 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 394
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 65,873
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #77 most common country of origin
9 / 50
Unsplash
#42. Japan
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 402
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 402
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
10 / 50
Christian Vinces // Shutterstock
#41. Peru
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 416
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 416
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
11 / 50
Marek Poplawski // Shutterstock
#40. Honduras
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 431
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 431
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
12 / 50
PIxabay
#39. Taiwan
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 440
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 381,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #24 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 440
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 381,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #24 most common country of origin
13 / 50
Catarina Belova // Shutterstock
#38. Brazil
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 457
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 457
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
14 / 50
kirkandmimi // Pixabay
#37. Czechoslovakia (includes Czech Republic and Slovakia)
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 492
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 66,818
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #76 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 492
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 66,818
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #76 most common country of origin
15 / 50
Nataliya Nazarova // Shutterstock
#36. Serbia
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 494
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 37,570
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #96 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 494
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 37,570
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #96 most common country of origin
16 / 50
Juan P. Verni // Flickr
#35. Greece
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 514
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 129,765
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #51 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 514
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 129,765
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #51 most common country of origin
17 / 50
Rjruiziii // Wikicommons
#34. Ghana
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 532
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 178,388
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #43 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 532
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 178,388
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #43 most common country of origin
18 / 50
Photos By Beks // Unsplash
#33. Kenya
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 550
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 550
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
19 / 50
GoodFreePhotos
#32. Malaysia
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 557
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 76,521
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #74 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 557
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 76,521
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #74 most common country of origin
20 / 50
MDOGAN // Shutterstock
#31. Somalia
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 617
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 98,966
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #60 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 617
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 98,966
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #60 most common country of origin
21 / 50
Subodh Agnihotri // Shutterstock
#30. Croatia
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 624
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 37,176
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #97 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 624
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 37,176
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #97 most common country of origin
22 / 50
neshom // Pixabay
#29. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 636
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 103,938
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #57 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 636
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 103,938
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #57 most common country of origin
23 / 50
Ninara // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Iran
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 638
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 638
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
24 / 50
Falkenpost // Pixabay
#27. Cuba
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 640
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 640
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
25 / 50
RossHelen // Shutterstock
#26. Albania
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 797
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 89,911
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #65 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 797
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 89,911
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #65 most common country of origin
26 / 50
Sergei25 // Shutterstock
#25. Jordan
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 816
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 81,155
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #71 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 816
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 81,155
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #71 most common country of origin
27 / 50
Pixabay
#24. Dominican Republic
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 869
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 1,118,147
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.5%
- #8 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 869
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 1,118,147
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.5%
- #8 most common country of origin
28 / 50
Pixabay
#23. Italy
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 872
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 872
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
29 / 50
Alexander Canas Arango // Shutterstock
#22. Colombia
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 885
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 885
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
30 / 50
Kobby Dagan // Shutterstock
#21. Guatemala
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 921
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 921
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
31 / 50
USACE HQ , JIM GORDAN, CIV, USACE // Wikicommons
#20. Iraq
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 957
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 957
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
32 / 50
OpenUpEd // Flickr
#19. Nigeria
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,090
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,090
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
33 / 50
byvalet // Shutterstock
#18. Jamaica
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,108
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,108
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
34 / 50
Fitria Ramli // Shutterstock
#17. Saudi Arabia
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,180
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,180
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
35 / 50
Unsplash
#16. Ukraine
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,202
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,202
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
36 / 50
Quangpraha // Pixabay
#15. Vietnam
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,227
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,227
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
37 / 50
Unsplash
#14. Canada
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,642
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,642
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
38 / 50
Nahlik // Shutterstock
#13. Poland
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,696
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 410,841
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #21 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,696
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 410,841
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #21 most common country of origin
39 / 50
Viacheslav Lopatin // Shutterstock
#12. Russia
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,858
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,858
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
40 / 50
Saqib Rizvi // Shutterstock
#11. Pakistan
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,908
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,908
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
41 / 50
User:Colin // Wikimedia Commons
#10. United Kingdom
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,022
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 2,022
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
42 / 50
Kys951 // Wikimedia Commons
#9. South Korea
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,167
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 2,167
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
43 / 50
Joseph Oropel // Shutterstock
#8. Philippines
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,400
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 2,400
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
44 / 50
Cheng Qian // Unsplash
#7. Burma
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,177
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.7%
National
- Number of residents: 147,573
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #47 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,177
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.7%
National
- Number of residents: 147,573
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #47 most common country of origin
45 / 50
Max Pixel
#6. Germany
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,586
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,586
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
46 / 50
Pascal Müller // Unsplash
#5. Laos
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,616
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
National
- Number of residents: 181,546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #42 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,616
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
National
- Number of residents: 181,546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #42 most common country of origin
47 / 50
Jack Bkk // Shutterstock
#4. Thailand
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,866
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.3%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,866
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.3%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
48 / 50
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#3. China
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 5,183
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 5,183
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
49 / 50
Kriangkrai Thitimakorn // Shutterstock
#2. India
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 12,107
- Percent of foreign born residents: 10.4%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 12,107
- Percent of foreign born residents: 10.4%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
50 / 50
Jakub Hejtmánek // Wikicommons
#1. Mexico
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area
- Number of residents: 35,877
- Percent of foreign born residents: 30.9%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 35,877
- Percent of foreign born residents: 30.9%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
