Black River Falls, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Black River Falls, Wisconsin had a total population of 3,546, the 196th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $66,632, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Black River Falls Quick Facts
How Black River Falls 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 | 3,514 | 3,546 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $57,712 | $66,632 | +15.5% |
| Median home value | $152,300 | $171,800 | +12.8% |
How Black River Falls 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+)
Black River Falls Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alma Center | 713 | $68,250 | 7.1% | $142,500 |
| Melrose | 562 | $48,750 | 18.9% | $151,600 |
| Merrillan | 527 | $52,273 | 19.4% | $139,600 |
| Hixton | 422 | $76,563 | 5.7% | $158,600 |
| Mission | 349 | $46,875 | 35.9% | $122,100 |
| Taylor | 328 | $59,531 | 11.6% | $117,500 |
| Hatfield | 190 | $60,417 | 12.1% | $209,200 |
| Sand Pillow | 176 | $35,625 | 26.1% | $141,700 |
| Millston | 114 | $51,250 | 12.3% | $133,900 |
Cities Similar to Black River Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peshtigo | 3,398 | $66,990 | $140,300 | 23.0% | 9.4% |
| Omro | 3,642 | $62,000 | $197,900 | 25.6% | 8.1% |
| Tomahawk | 3,395 | $60,223 | $173,300 | 19.9% | 12.5% |
| Seymour | 3,570 | $80,602 | $184,600 | 27.1% | 4.5% |
| Bloomer | 3,673 | $58,106 | $214,000 | 24.2% | 3.9% |
Population Overview
Black River Falls is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Jackson County. The total population is 3,546. It ranks as the 196th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Black River Falls is 42.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 12.3% 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 Black River Falls is $66,632. This is 14% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $171,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Black River Falls is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Black River Falls has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.8%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Black River Falls, 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.
Free data download: Get all Wisconsin city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Black River Falls, Wisconsin?
Black River Falls, Wisconsin has a population of 3,546 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Black River Falls, WI?
The median household income in Black River Falls is $66,632, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Black River Falls, WI?
The poverty rate in Black River Falls is 9.9%. This means approximately 338 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Black River Falls, Wisconsin?
Black River Falls's population is 91.6% White, 0.3% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Black River Falls, WI?
The median home value in Black River Falls is $171,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Black River Falls, Wisconsin?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Black River Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.