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.

Wisconsin Rapids, WI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

18,722

Median Agei

38.3

Race & Ethnicityi

White

89.3%16,711

Hispanic/Latino

3.6%675

Two or More

3.6%669

Asian

2.3%438

Black

0.8%159

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%35

Other

0.2%35

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

5.2%657

High School Diploma

33.6%4,254

Some College (<1 yr)

8.5%1,076

Some College (1+ yr)

14.5%1,839

Associate's Degree

14.6%1,842

Bachelor's Degree

14.2%1,795

Master's Degree

3%382

Professional Degree

0.8%95

Doctorate

0.1%18

HS or Higher

94.6%

BA or Higher

18.1%

Graduate+

3.9%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$131,900

Median Renti

$888

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

56.1%4,709

Renter-Occupied

43.9%3,683

Total Units

9,131

Homeownership

56.1%

Vacancy Rate

8.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

4.7%219

$50K–$100K

24.8%1,169

$100K–$150K

28.4%1,336

$150K–$200K

18.4%865

$200K–$300K

15.8%743

$300K–$500K

6.2%292

$500K–$1M

1.3%61

$1M+

0.5%24

Rent Distribution

Under $500

417

$500–$750

586

$750–$1,000

1,239

$1,000–$1,250

676

$1,250–$1,500

253

$1,500–$2,000

239

$2,000+

157

Year Built

2020 or later

0.2%22

2010–2019

5.6%507

2000–2009

9.9%904

1990–1999

6.9%627

1980–1989

5.1%469

1970–1979

15%1,368

1960–1969

13.2%1,201

1950–1959

16.8%1,535

1940–1949

8.8%804

1939 or earlier

18.6%1,694

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

78.7%6,603

Electricity

16.8%1,408

Bottled/LP Gas

1.5%123

No Fuel

1.3%111

Other

0.7%62

Fuel Oil

0.6%53

Wood

0.4%32

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$55,253

Mean Household Incomei

$70,053

Per Capita Incomei

$31,275

Poverty Ratei

14.6%

Unemploymenti

6.6%

Labor Forcei

9,351

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

3.1%260

$10K–$15K

5.8%486

$15K–$20K

3%254

$20K–$25K

5.4%453

$25K–$30K

6.1%510

$30K–$35K

6.3%525

$35K–$40K

3.8%318

$40K–$45K

5%417

$45K–$50K

5%417

$50K–$60K

11.1%933

$60K–$75K

11.8%988

$75K–$100K

12.4%1,040

$100K–$125K

10%838

$125K–$150K

4.3%358

$150K–$200K

4.7%396

$200K+

2.4%199

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

625

Residentsi

863

Avg. Tenant Renti

$384/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

70 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing129 homes99% occupied$432/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers86 homes73% occupied$374/mo rent

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

Project Based Section 8177 homes91% occupied$347/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC27 homes96% occupied$422/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $55,253/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $17K/yr

72.4%

Very low income$17K–$28K/yr

22.1%

Low income$28K–$44K/yr

3.9%

Moderate / aboveOver $44K/yr

1.6%

Who Receives This Housing

71.7% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

6.9% of subsidized households are minority

29.4% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

50.4% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,207(8.4% of civilian adults)