Eau Claire city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Eau Claire city, Wisconsin has a total population of 69,274, the 8th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $65,369, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.2%.
Eau Claire city Quick Facts
How Eau Claire city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 36 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Eau Claire city Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Eau Claire County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona city | 8,750 | $80,126 | 10.9% | $220,900 |
| Lake Hallie village | 7,245 | $79,628 | 7.0% | $261,500 |
| Fall Creek village | 1,502 | $82,250 | 6.1% | $202,700 |
| Augusta city | 1,381 | $50,080 | 19.4% | $140,100 |
| Fairchild village | 418 | $47,083 | 16.4% | $102,000 |
Cities Similar to Eau Claire city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh city | 66,247 | $61,929 | $168,400 | 27.3% | 15.9% |
| Janesville city | 65,813 | $71,664 | $209,700 | 26.9% | 9.6% |
| Waukesha city | 70,779 | $81,651 | $286,600 | 40.7% | 10.3% |
| Appleton city | 74,873 | $77,450 | $211,500 | 37.0% | 8.5% |
| West Allis city | 59,588 | $69,685 | $191,700 | 29.4% | 10.5% |
Population Overview
Eau Claire city is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Eau Claire County. The total population is 69,274. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Eau Claire city is 33.0 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Eau Claire city is $65,369. This is 14% lower than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.2%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $228,000. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 55.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Eau Claire city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.9% of all residents. Asian residents account for 5.8%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 6.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.8% vs 2.9%).
Education
35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 32.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Eau Claire city, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 807 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Eau Claire city, Wisconsin?
Eau Claire city, Wisconsin has a population of 69,274 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Eau Claire city, WI?
The median household income in Eau Claire city is $65,369, which is 17% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Eau Claire city, WI?
The poverty rate in Eau Claire city is 14.2%. This means approximately 9,342 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Eau Claire city, Wisconsin?
Eau Claire city's population is 85.9% White, 1.3% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Eau Claire city, WI?
The median home value in Eau Claire city is $228,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Eau Claire city, Wisconsin?
35.0% of adults (25+) in Eau Claire city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.