Chetek, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chetek, Wisconsin had a total population of 2,177, the 263rd largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $64,141, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Chetek Quick Facts
How Chetek 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 | 2,017 | 2,177 | +7.9% |
| Median household income | $59,554 | $64,141 | +7.7% |
| Median home value | $156,500 | $171,200 | +9.4% |
How Chetek 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+)
Chetek Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Barron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Lake | 9,030 | $52,417 | 12.9% | $193,800 |
| Barron | 3,681 | $47,469 | 17.7% | $121,600 |
| Cumberland | 2,282 | $49,479 | 37.1% | $181,100 |
| Cameron | 1,686 | $61,518 | 8.9% | $190,000 |
| Turtle Lake | 960 | $61,250 | 5.3% | $157,500 |
| Almena | 641 | $48,333 | 14.1% | $116,300 |
| Prairie Farm | 423 | $45,313 | 22.8% | $138,500 |
| Dallas | 359 | $48,542 | 16.2% | $135,700 |
| Haugen | 284 | $76,250 | 8.5% | $144,200 |
| Barronett | 42 | $50,625 | 26.2% | $68,800 |
Cities Similar to Chetek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schofield | 2,120 | $65,583 | $154,000 | 26.1% | 8.0% |
| Neillsville | 2,230 | $60,179 | $117,700 | 14.4% | 15.1% |
| Como | 2,197 | $75,266 | $278,400 | 17.8% | 3.2% |
| Abbotsford | 2,024 | $68,580 | $151,500 | 13.0% | 9.5% |
| St. Croix Falls | 2,423 | $65,300 | $249,400 | 30.7% | 3.4% |
Population Overview
Chetek is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Barron County. The total population is 2,177. It ranks as the 263rd most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chetek is 46.7 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 12.4% 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 Chetek is $64,141. This is 17% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $171,200. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Chetek is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chetek has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 8.0%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chetek, 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 Chetek, Wisconsin?
Chetek, Wisconsin has a population of 2,177 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chetek, WI?
The median household income in Chetek is $64,141, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chetek, WI?
The poverty rate in Chetek is 13.2%. This means approximately 279 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chetek, Wisconsin?
Chetek's population is 96.2% White, 0.0% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chetek, WI?
The median home value in Chetek is $171,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Chetek, Wisconsin?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Chetek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.