Third Ward Milwaukee: Historic, Artistic & Dynamic

Cultural & Industrial Diversity

Third Ward Milwaukee is one of the best known neighborhoods in the city, with strong diversity based in cultural significance more than racial significance; roughly 81% of Third Ward residents identify themselves as white Wisconsin natives (according to demographics based on U.S. census data), with 36% of the population between the ages of 25 and 39 and a whopping 58% holding at least a bachelor's degree. This young, educated group of proud Wisconsinites has helped to drive the Third Ward's economy and culture forward, bringing steady income, new ideas and fresh, ambitious graduates to the local business scene.

The business sector is alive and well in Milwaukee's Third Ward. Its success is driven by residents' employment in a variety of fields. The most common industry is education/health at 21%, followed by professional careers (16%), arts/entertainment (12%), retail/wholesale (12%), manufacturing (11%) and finance/real estate (11%). Other industries, such as information and public administration, account for less than 10% of residents' careers. The city's unemployment rate is also low at 4%. Median incomes in Third Ward Milwaukee are moderate, with nearly half (49%) of residents making less than $30,000 a year. An additional 35% of residents make between $30,000 and $74,999 a year, another 12% make $75,000 to $149,999 per year, and a mere 4% make upward of $150,000.

Historic Architecture & Recreation

Miwaukee's Third Ward is by far best known for its historic roots and beautiful Old Milwaukee architecture. In the 1980s, 10 square blocks (roughly 70 buildings) of the neighborhood were added to the National Register of Historic Places, leading to its nickname as the "Historic Third Ward." In more recent years, it has also become known as "Milwaukee's Arts and Fashion District," providing a historic architectural warehouse setting for modern art galleries, fashion retail, spas and more. Upscale modern culture with an old-world Milwaukee feel is the name of the game in Third Ward Milwaukee. The neighborhood is a veritable treasure trove of great shops, restaurants, entertainment and recreational opportunities. In the 1990s, the city of Milwaukee constructed the famed Riverwalk, which connects the Third Ward neighborhood to downtown via a pathway along the Milwaukee River. The Riverwalk is a popular choice for dates, sightseeing and exercise, providing fantastic views of the river and the surrounding city activity on its lively urban banks. Dozens of unique (and chain) stores provide fabulous shopping, while a variety of award-winning dining options like cafes, taverns, food tours, public markets and restaurants offer a little something for residents and visitors to relax and "re-fuel" on. Milwaukee's Third Ward also boasts a fantastic arts & cultural scene, with over 30 art galleries, museums and studios for public viewing, as well as a variety of performing arts theaters and studios, including the Broadway Theatre Center, Skylight Music Theatre and Trinity Academy of Irish Dance. It's also home to the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) and a popular local art pub known as Splash Studio, in which patrons pay a standard fee to take part in a scheduled group painting class while having a drink or two. The Third Ward's strong relationship with the arts even earned the neighborhood a title as a Top 12 ArtPlace in 2013.

The neighborhood is home to several nonprofit and volunteer organizations as well, reaching out to its residents and those of surrounding communities to offer specialized services and resources to those in need of assistance. It is home to several well-known operations, like the ACLU of Wisconsin and the Salvation Army, but it is also home to more local charitable foundations and nonprofits, including the Helen Bader Foundation, the Herzfeld Foundation, The Burke Foundation, Bent Tree Church, the Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee, Friends of Lakeshore State Park, and more.

Listings for Prospective Buyers

If you're a young professional working in Milwaukee and looking for the perfect neighborhood in which to put down roots, the Third Ward offers a variety of affordable listings for first-time home buyers. Currently, the median list price for homes in the Third Ward is somewhere around $114,500, with a median house size of 1,262 sq. ft. If you're a little further along in your journey and looking to move somewhere closer to downtown for a bit of luxury living, Milwaukee's Third Ward also offers phenomenal high-end houses as well as listings for luxury condominiums/townhouses overlooking the city. The most expensive and luxurious of these options is an incredible two-story penthouse on East Ogden Avenue, offering 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms over 6,500 sq. ft. for $2.8 million. Whatever your purchasing power is on your particular budget, Milwaukee's Third Ward has something to suit your style and needs.

The Bottom Line

Third Ward Milwaukee is perhaps the most historic and recognizable neighborhood in the city, with a strong personality and culture of art, entertainment and refinement. The neighborhood's economy is booming thanks to significant sources of income from area businesses, commerce and arts tourism. Prospective residents looking to buy in the Third Ward can expect this trend to continue and look forward to a lifestyle centered strongly around the neighborhoods rich artistic culture and deep history.