Ashland, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ashland, Wisconsin had a total population of 7,902, the 123rd largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $54,529, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Ashland Quick Facts
How Ashland 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 | 7,884 | 7,902 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $49,258 | $54,529 | +10.7% |
| Median home value | $162,200 | $176,400 | +8.8% |
How Ashland 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+)
Ashland Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Ashland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mellen | 681 | $41,875 | 21.3% | $78,100 |
| Butternut | 465 | $43,750 | 27.9% | $74,300 |
| Birch Hill | 313 | $54,875 | 16.0% | $63,100 |
| New Odanah | 275 | $40,417 | 30.2% | $77,000 |
| Glidden | 215 | $57,829 | 8.8% | $80,000 |
| Marengo | 149 | $57,292 | 8.9% | $159,400 |
| Bayfront | 135 | $99,213 | 3.0% | $343,300 |
| Diaperville | 109 | $51,650 | 0.0% | $84,000 |
| Jolmaville | 104 | $81,250 | 1.0% | $318,800 |
| Odanah | 60 | N/A | 0.0% | $91,700 |
Cities Similar to Ashland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ripon | 7,772 | $54,763 | $174,900 | 24.4% | 12.8% |
| New London | 7,726 | $60,612 | $174,800 | 17.3% | 21.0% |
| Rhinelander | 8,316 | $51,421 | $125,700 | 22.4% | 12.8% |
| Pewaukee | 8,196 | $62,139 | $281,800 | 42.0% | 7.3% |
| Antigo | 8,069 | $45,520 | $104,800 | 14.2% | 19.5% |
Population Overview
Ashland is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Ashland County. The total population is 7,902. It ranks as the 123rd most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ashland is 40.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ashland is $54,529. This is 30% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 69% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $176,400. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 62.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ashland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
29.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 95.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ashland, 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 Ashland, Wisconsin?
Ashland, Wisconsin has a population of 7,902 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ashland, WI?
The median household income in Ashland is $54,529, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ashland, WI?
The poverty rate in Ashland is 17.8%. This means approximately 1,306 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ashland, Wisconsin?
Ashland's population is 80.7% White, 0.7% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ashland, WI?
The median home value in Ashland is $176,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Ashland, Wisconsin?
29.5% of adults (25+) in Ashland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.