Market Data

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 uses Placer.ai to track mobility patterns of employees, visitors, and residents in the greater Downtown area, as well as within the boundaries of BID #21. This data is then used to support our economic development and programing efforts.

Between 2022 and 2023, BID #21 saw a 2.3% increase in its residential population. The number of employees reporting to BID #21 for work increased by an impressive 3.6% between 2023 and 2024, which was largely driven by major companies occupying significant office space in the district. Non-resident visits to the district showed a 0.3% year-over-year increase with over 27 million visits, demonstrating the importance of Downtown as a workplace and tourist destination.

When comparing the start of 2019 to 2026, the average daily population totals within the boundaries of BID #21 increased by 2.4% to nearly 81,000 people per day. With daily populations exceeding pre-pandemic figures and exceeding many peer cities, Downtown Milwaukee continues on an upward trajectory as a place where people want to work, invest, live, and visit.

Downtown Milwaukee is the economic hub of the region and State of Wisconsin with over $9 billion in recently completed, under construction, and proposed game-changing projects. This investment has established significant momentum and propels Downtown as a vibrant city center and global gateway. Downtown recently experienced some of its most iconic business recruitment wins, opened Class A office buildings, is a national leader in adaptive reuse, and celebrated the opening of Wisconsin’s tallest residential tower. World-class sports teams, vibrant nightlife, active public spaces, and expanding art, cultural, and civic offerings have Downtown Milwaukee on an unprecedented positive trajectory. Below is a snapshot of update-to-date market data and numerous catalytic projects across all industry sectors.

A strong downtown is critical for a successful city and region. A recent study by the International Downtown Association and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 analyzed the contributions of Downtown Milwaukee as an economic driver. Through a variety of metrics, including five key principles – economy, inclusion, vibrancy, identity and resilience – the study demonstrated the central business district’s value as an epicenter for culture, innovation, community, and commerce.

The 2023 edition of P.U.M.A.’s Global Trends Report highlights opportunities and challenges arising from converging shifts in demographics, lifestyles, and disruptive forces that are rapidly shaping our cities. This award-winning research effort has been a go-to resource for downtown management organizations, business leaders, and local decision-makers since 2007.

In an effort to better serve its residents, workers and guests, Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 partnered with Community Perceptions, a division of School Perceptions LLC, to conduct a self-selecting perceptions survey to quantify and chronicle the rapid changes occurring in Downtown Milwaukee and the attitudes of various Downtown users.

The survey aimed to understand how the community interacts with Downtown Milwaukee and solicit opinions about a number of topics relating to the experience of living, working and playing in Downtown Milwaukee.

View the market research conducted by P.U.M.A. (Progressive Urban Management Associates), which benchmarks local growth and changes in demographics; housing; employment; office and retail vacancies; mobility and connectivity; hospitality and tourism; arts, culture and entertainment; education; and the nighttime economy.

Get a snapshot of Downtown Milwaukee’s growth over the last decade and view recommendations for continuing the momentum.

Prepared by Hunden Strategic Partners, this report compares Downtown Milwaukee to ten of its peer cities in the areas of hospitality, entertainment, and nightlife.