least 1990, which has accelerated in recent years. As one example: In 1990, in the 2nd Aldermanic District on Milwaukee’s northwest side, there were 104 single-family homes owned by someone in the suburbs. In 2018, that number was 842.

The trend is evident in aldermanic districts where large numbers of city employees have historically lived.

We looked at a 15-year window from 2004 to 2018 — from before the Great Recession to the recovery that followed. During that time, the increase in suburban ownership of homes in these Milwaukee districts has been dramatic. In 2004, in the 5th District on the far west side, there were 120 single-family homes owned by someone in the suburbs. In 2018, that number had quintupled, to 548.

In 2004, in the 11th District on Milwaukee’sfar southwest side, there were 125 single-family homes owned by someone in the suburbs. That number jumped to 408 by 2018.

And in 2004, in the 13th District on Milwaukee’s far south side, there were 105 single-family homes owned by someone in the suburbs. That number nearly tripled, to 308, by 2018.

Our data analysis could not determine whether city employees who had moved to the suburbs still owned their former Milwaukee homes and were renting them out.

Not surprisingly, the increase in Milwaukee homes owned by people who live in the suburbs has coincided with a decline in the rate of owner-occupancy. In some Milwaukee aldermanic districts, the drop has been precipitous. From 2004 to 2018, the city’s 1st District on the far north side saw owner-occupancy rates plummet from