Chief Lake, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chief Lake, Wisconsin had a total population of 660, the 477th largest community in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $70,833, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% is notably above the national average.
Chief Lake Quick Facts
How Chief Lake 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 | 645 | 660 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $67,813 | $70,833 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $92,100 | $215,000 | +133.4% |
How Chief Lake 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chief Lake Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Sawyer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayward | 2,555 | $45,665 | 22.1% | $184,700 |
| Little Round Lake | 1,295 | $37,535 | 28.0% | N/A |
| New Post | 340 | $50,000 | 11.2% | $326,600 |
| Winter | 285 | $41,204 | 25.3% | $87,900 |
| Reserve | 252 | $38,036 | 27.0% | $216,700 |
| Radisson | 234 | $41,625 | 35.6% | $80,700 |
| Exeland | 193 | $31,713 | 29.0% | $110,400 |
| Stone Lake | 127 | $43,393 | 21.3% | $193,400 |
| Couderay | 118 | $54,271 | 19.5% | $78,000 |
Cities Similar to Chief Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan | 663 | $71,250 | $257,400 | 16.5% | 27.2% |
| Superior | 653 | $70,694 | $274,200 | 27.8% | 8.4% |
| Wonewoc | 670 | $72,708 | $119,000 | 19.8% | 14.8% |
| Fremont | 650 | $68,750 | $235,300 | 24.6% | 13.1% |
| Norwalk | 662 | $66,146 | $96,700 | 9.5% | 8.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 660, Chief Lake's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Chief Lake is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Sawyer County. The total population is 660. It ranks as the 477th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chief Lake is 49.6 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chief Lake is $70,833. This is 9% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 121% 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 9.4%. This is 190% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $215,000. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 78.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chief Lake is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.4%) is well below the state average of 78.6%.
Education
25.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chief Lake, 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 Chief Lake, Wisconsin?
Chief Lake, Wisconsin has a population of 660 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chief Lake, WI?
The median household income in Chief Lake is $70,833, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chief Lake, WI?
The poverty rate in Chief Lake is 23.3%. This means approximately 152 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chief Lake, Wisconsin?
Chief Lake's population is 26.4% White, 0.0% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chief Lake, WI?
The median home value in Chief Lake is $215,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Chief Lake, Wisconsin?
25.6% of adults (25+) in Chief Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.