Livability
Livability is a measure of all the factors that add up to a community's quality of life. Livable communities affordably provide for safety, housing, education, jobs, transportation, and health care while supporting assets like the recreational, cultural, and civic spaces that help people thrive. This page summarizes some of the factors that make Menomonee Falls one of the most livable communities in Wisconsin.
Recent accolades recognizing village livability include:
Jobs

- There are nearly 34,000 jobs in Menomonee Falls - nearly 1.5 for every adult resident.
- Residents have a short commute to employment centers throughout the region including downtown Milwaukee, Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, and the Interstate 94 corridor.
Education

- The Village’s public school districts perform well above Wisconsin averages for state proficiency tests and ACT exams.
- Nearly 48 percent of residents over 25 hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- There are dozens of colleges and universities within 50 miles of the Village.
Regional Proximity

- Residents and businesses benefit from convenient transportation access to everything the Greater Milwaukee region has to offer. Menomonee Falls is:
- Adjacent to Brookfield, Germantown, Northwest Milwaukee, and Sussex
- 15 minutes from shopping at the Mayfair Collection and Mayfair Mall
- 20 minutes from Lake Michigan beaches and Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers baseball)
- 25 minutes from downtown Milwaukee
- 30 minutes from General Mitchell International Airport
History & Culture
- The Village’s rich history dates to the mid-19th century when the community was settled as a mill town. The Village was incorporated in 1892 and is home to 20 buildings and one district (Main Street) recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Menomonee Falls is home to Old Falls Village, a living history museum which is operated by the Menomonee Falls Historical Society.
- The downtown business district serves as the historic and cultural heart of the community. Visit Menomonee Falls Downtown to learn about everything downtown Menomonee Falls has to offer.
- Festivals, seasonal markets, parades, sporting events, and performances by local fine arts and theatrical arts groups punctuate the Village calendar and support a strong sense of community in Menomonee Falls.
Environment

- Menomonee Falls’ landscape includes a mix of hills, plains, and lowland areas. Land uses range from natural and rural to suburban and urban. The Village is home to the Menomonee River, the Fox River, and several creeks and ponds.
- There is over 2,500 acres of public outdoor open space within the Village 16 parks and nine public school sites provide over 520 acres of accessible recreation space.
- 32 miles of asphalt trails, 71 miles of sidewalk, and 13.5 miles of paved shoulders provide walking, running and biking routes throughout the Village.
Local Services & Amenities

- The Village is committed to responsive and effective government services including public safety, library, public works, parks, and development services.
- Shopping and dining options are expanding in the White Stone Station mixed use area, within the downtown business district and throughout the Village. Choices include a mix of national chains and unique local establishments.
Community Health
- The Village is committed to developing vibrant neighborhoods which promote physical activity and healthy interactions for all ages.
- Residents are served by Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital and several other local health clinics and outpatient specialists.
- Senior housing opportunities across the continuum of care meet the needs of older residents of all abilities within the Village.
The Milwaukee region is affordable when compared to other major cities in the Upper Midwest. A $50,000 salary here goes as far as a $52,533 salary in Madison or a $61,803 salary in Chicago (Nerdwallet.com Cost of Living Calculator). Menomonee Falls is an affordable place to live within the region, with relatively low costs for housing, property taxes, and transportation.
*Note: Property tax estimates apply 2022 tax rates to 2021 median home values in each community.
Source(s): Property Values and Taxes in Southeast Wisconsin from the Public Policy Forum and ACS 2017-2021 five- year estimates from the United States Census Bureau