Shorewood: Wisconsin’s Most Densely Populated Community

12 February 2026 Press Release - Affordable Shorewood

Wisconsinites may not be surprised to learn that the state’s most densely populated communities are located in the greater Milwaukee area. What may come as a surprise, however, is that Shorewood ranks number one in Wisconsin for population density.

Covering just 1.6 square miles, Shorewood stands alone with 8,718 residents per square mile, making it the most crowded municipality in the state. Increasingly, residents are raising concerns about proposals by village leadership that could push density even higher. These proposals include encouraging private developers to replace public parking lots with apartment buildings and allowing homeowners to construct additional residential structures on Shorewood’s traditionally small lots.

Nationally, Shorewood, with 8,718 residents per square mile, ranks higher in population density than the cities of Los Angeles (8,304) and Oakland (7,878). While residents value Shorewood’s excellent schools, Lake Michigan location, and close proximity to Milwaukee, many worry that the village has reached a tipping point.

Affordable Shorewood is a grassroots organization formed to encourage village leadership to prioritize current residents and halt further increases in population density. In one recent example, the sale of a public parking lot contributes to a documented shortfall of more than 320 parking spaces for nearby apartment residents . . . well below code requirements. The 49-space lot is slated to be replaced by subsidized housing for 19 households, at an estimated $2.5 million cost to village taxpayers.

Elsewhere, the village board is considering removing long-standing restrictions to allow homeowners to construct multistory accessory dwelling units (ADUs) of up to 1,000 square feet in backyards. While these units could serve elderly parents or extended family members, residents fear they will instead expand Shorewood’s existing inventory of approximately 50 short-term rental units, commonly known as Airbnbs. Such “tourist homes” are prohibited under current village ordinances, which many residents believe are not being enforced.

“Rather than build upward, I encourage our village trustees to build forward,” said Jay Sorensen, volunteer and advocate with Affordable Shorewood. “Residents-who-rent often rely on private automobiles to reach jobs and services that are far from existing bus routes. Lower-income residents with disabilities depend on public parking lots. Decades of board-led development have turned North Oakland Avenue into a concrete canyon. Instead of packing more people into our village, our trustees should focus less on adding concrete and structures, and more on a livable and walkable business district and community.”

About Affordable Shorewood: Affordable Shorewood is a grassroots organization of renters, homeowners, families, businesses, and landlords who want Shorewood to remain affordable and livable for all. Founded by a group committed to preserving Shorewood’s small-town character, believes village trustees should prioritize the needs of current residents in all planning decisions. Learn more at http://affordableshorewood.org