Dense Ba_1-xPb_xTiO₃ (x = 0–0.20) samples (>90% TD) were fabricated through a solid-state reaction route involving wet ball milling for 24 h and calcination at 1150°C for 4 h, followed by sintering at 1300°C for 4 h. XRD results for all the samples revealed a tetragonal perovskite (P4mm) crystal structure. Increased substitution of Pb caused monotonic growth in the tetragonality character of the perovskite phase. Although, the value of ε_rʹ dropped from an initial value of 3000 for x = 0 (pure BaTiO₃) to 400 for x = 0.20 samples, the losses (tanδ) interestingly declined almost to half. A substantial increase in the Curie temperature from 120°C for x = 0°C to 180°C for x = 0.15 samples was noted. P-E loop analysis revealed an increase in the saturation polarization by almost 1.5 times, moreover, in the remnant polarization by six times with Pb-substitution. The d₃₃ values demonstrated an increase from 95 pC/N for pure BaTiO₃ samples to 220 pC/N for x = 0.15 samples.