Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Wausau, WI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

39,996

Median Agei

38.2

Race & Ethnicityi

White

77.6%31,022

Asian

10.4%4,161

Two or More

5.4%2,176

Hispanic/Latino

5.4%2,169

Other

0.5%215

Black

0.4%179

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%53

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.1%21

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.7%1,039

High School Diploma

26%7,286

Some College (<1 yr)

7.8%2,191

Some College (1+ yr)

11.7%3,286

Associate's Degree

12%3,359

Bachelor's Degree

20.1%5,641

Master's Degree

7.6%2,117

Professional Degree

2.3%635

Doctorate

0.9%260

HS or Higher

92.1%

BA or Higher

30.9%

Graduate+

10.7%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$167,900

Median Renti

$1,010

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

57.6%10,155

Renter-Occupied

42.4%7,470

Total Units

18,718

Homeownership

57.6%

Vacancy Rate

5.8%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.5%251

$50K–$100K

12.3%1,254

$100K–$150K

25.3%2,569

$150K–$200K

23.8%2,418

$200K–$300K

20.6%2,092

$300K–$500K

12.2%1,235

$500K–$1M

3.2%324

$1M+

0.1%12

Rent Distribution

Under $500

560

$500–$750

1,276

$750–$1,000

1,673

$1,000–$1,250

2,422

$1,250–$1,500

737

$1,500–$2,000

440

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.9%177

2010–2019

4.3%799

2000–2009

11.1%2,081

1990–1999

6.3%1,183

1980–1989

8.1%1,511

1970–1979

12%2,251

1960–1969

10.1%1,883

1950–1959

15.5%2,898

1940–1949

7.7%1,441

1939 or earlier

24%4,494

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

68.6%12,092

Electricity

25%4,407

Fuel Oil

1.7%306

Bottled/LP Gas

1.6%290

Other

1.4%250

No Fuel

0.9%164

Wood

0.4%77

Coal

0.2%27

Solar

0.1%12

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$64,389

Mean Household Incomei

$80,941

Per Capita Incomei

$35,957

Poverty Ratei

14.3%

Unemploymenti

4.9%

Labor Forcei

20,955

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

5.1%897

$10K–$15K

4%702

$15K–$20K

3.2%565

$20K–$25K

5.1%904

$25K–$30K

3.9%688

$30K–$35K

5.2%920

$35K–$40K

4.2%745

$40K–$45K

5.1%891

$45K–$50K

4%701

$50K–$60K

7.4%1,301

$60K–$75K

11.6%2,043

$75K–$100K

14%2,464

$100K–$125K

11.2%1,974

$125K–$150K

6%1,057

$150K–$200K

5.6%990

$200K+

4.4%783

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,005

Residentsi

1,230

Avg. Tenant Renti

$375/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

18 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing46 homes98% occupied$452/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers261 homes73% occupied$378/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8385 homes93% occupied$364/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC38 homes97% occupied$381/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $64,389/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $19K/yr

79.2%

Very low income$19K–$32K/yr

19.3%

Low income$32K–$52K/yr

1.4%

Moderate / aboveOver $52K/yr

0.1%

Who Receives This Housing

63.3% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

16.1% of subsidized households are minority

50.5% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

49.5% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,805(5.8% of civilian adults)