Adams, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Adams, Wisconsin had a total population of 2,050, the 269th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $43,364, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Adams Quick Facts
How Adams Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,144 | 2,050 | -4.4% |
| Median household income | $41,917 | $43,364 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $101,200 | $102,500 | +1.3% |
How Adams Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Adams Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Adams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Camelot | 1,162 | $95,125 | 1.7% | $310,900 |
| Lake Arrowhead | 969 | $83,086 | 4.3% | $310,300 |
| Friendship | 813 | $48,631 | 34.9% | $115,100 |
| Dellwood | 661 | $43,750 | 11.7% | $200,500 |
| Lake Sherwood | 369 | $84,911 | 5.1% | $259,400 |
| Arkdale | 186 | $70,417 | 8.1% | $123,200 |
| Grand Marsh | 141 | $31,731 | 20.6% | $89,400 |
| Easton | 46 | N/A | 37.0% | $246,400 |
Cities Similar to Adams
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spooner | 2,278 | $44,737 | $165,500 | 22.9% | 21.6% |
| Colby | 1,907 | $50,114 | $184,700 | 16.1% | 19.1% |
| Cumberland | 2,282 | $49,479 | $181,100 | 31.3% | 37.1% |
| Nekoosa | 2,420 | $46,458 | $116,900 | 10.0% | 16.6% |
| Park Falls | 2,318 | $54,643 | $84,800 | 14.9% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Adams is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Adams County. The total population is 2,050. It ranks as the 269th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Adams is 45.8 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 12.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Adams is $43,364. This is 44% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 144% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $102,500. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Adams is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Adams has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Adams, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Adams, Wisconsin?
Adams, Wisconsin has a population of 2,050 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Adams, WI?
The median household income in Adams is $43,364, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Adams, WI?
The poverty rate in Adams is 25.7%. This means approximately 527 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Adams, Wisconsin?
Adams's population is 88.1% White, 2.4% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Adams, WI?
The median home value in Adams is $102,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Adams, Wisconsin?
14.2% of adults (25+) in Adams hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.