Milwaukee Economy: March 2026 Snapshot

Labor Market

Milwaukee County’s unemployment rate held at 4.2% in February 2026, slightly above the national average of 3.9%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics data. The manufacturing sector added approximately 400 jobs over the past month, driven by increased activity at industrial facilities along the Menomonee River Corridor. Healthcare and social assistance continued its steady hiring pace, accounting for one in five new jobs added across the metro area.

Property Market

Median home sale prices in Milwaukee County reached $198,500 in February 2026, a 3.1% year-over-year increase based on MPROP transaction records. The 53202 zip code (Downtown/East Side) saw the sharpest appreciation at 6.8% annually, while the 53215 zip code on the South Side showed more modest gains of 1.4%. Building permit activity for new residential construction rose 12% compared to the same period last year, concentrated in the Harbor District and the former Menomonee Valley industrial zone.

Eviction Trends

Eviction Lab tracking data shows Milwaukee County filed 847 eviction cases in February 2026, down from 912 the prior month but still elevated compared to the pre-pandemic baseline of approximately 650 per month. The 53206 zip code on the North Side continued to record the highest eviction filing rates in the county, with 4.2 filings per 100 renter households. A city-funded rental assistance program has disbursed $2.1 million since January, preventing an estimated 340 displacement events.

WARN Act Notices

Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development recorded two WARN Act notices affecting Milwaukee County workers in March 2026. Midwest Plastics Solutions in the Menomonee Valley notified 120 workers of a plant closure effective May 31, citing increased import competition. A business process outsourcing firm in the Walker’s Point neighborhood filed notice for 85 workers, citing automation-driven workforce reduction. Both closures are scheduled for the second quarter.

Outlook

The Milwaukee metro economy enters spring 2026 in a moderately positive position — unemployment is elevated but stable, home values are appreciating without overheating, and manufacturing activity is modestly expanding. The primary risk factors are concentrated eviction pressure in North Side zip codes and the coming second-quarter manufacturing layoffs. The next monthly snapshot will incorporate Q1 2026 earnings data and updated ACS estimates for household income by neighborhood.