Darlington, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Darlington, Wisconsin had a total population of 2,409, the 254th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $56,641, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Darlington Quick Facts
How Darlington 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 | 2,473 | 2,409 | -2.6% |
| Median household income | $62,695 | $56,641 | -9.7% |
| Median home value | $134,300 | $155,100 | +15.5% |
How Darlington 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Darlington Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Lafayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shullsburg | 1,184 | $64,028 | 11.7% | $148,800 |
| Benton | 1,054 | $80,938 | 8.1% | $157,400 |
| Belmont | 949 | $61,875 | 9.7% | $191,200 |
| Argyle | 877 | $59,702 | 10.7% | $137,300 |
| South Wayne | 441 | $75,139 | 8.4% | $130,600 |
| Gratiot | 305 | $42,344 | 31.1% | $151,300 |
| Woodford | 75 | N/A | 1.3% | $98,500 |
| Wiota | 50 | $90,417 | 8.0% | $187,500 |
Cities Similar to Darlington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Falls | 2,318 | $54,643 | $84,800 | 14.9% | 21.9% |
| Wisconsin Dells | 2,547 | $54,688 | $207,100 | 24.3% | 11.3% |
| St. Croix Falls | 2,423 | $65,300 | $249,400 | 30.7% | 3.4% |
| Nekoosa | 2,420 | $46,458 | $116,900 | 10.0% | 16.6% |
| Neillsville | 2,230 | $60,179 | $117,700 | 14.4% | 15.1% |
Population Overview
Darlington is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Lafayette County. The total population is 2,409. It ranks as the 254th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Darlington is 31.7 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 31.5% of the population under 18, Darlington has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.2% 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 Darlington is $56,641. This is 27% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 110% 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 8.0%. This is 145% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $155,100. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Darlington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Darlington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.3%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.3% vs 8.0%).
Education
25.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Darlington, 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 Darlington, Wisconsin?
Darlington, Wisconsin has a population of 2,409 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Darlington, WI?
The median household income in Darlington is $56,641, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Darlington, WI?
The poverty rate in Darlington is 22.1%. This means approximately 522 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Darlington, Wisconsin?
Darlington's population is 73.6% White, 0.4% Black, 22.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Darlington, WI?
The median home value in Darlington is $155,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Darlington, Wisconsin?
25.4% of adults (25+) in Darlington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.