Eau Claire, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Eau Claire, Wisconsin had a total population of 70,322, the 8th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $67,395, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Eau Claire Quick Facts
How Eau Claire 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 | 69,274 | 70,322 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $65,369 | $67,395 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $228,000 | $247,600 | +8.6% |
How Eau Claire 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+)
Eau Claire Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Eau Claire County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | 8,878 | $84,552 | 13.1% | $233,100 |
| Seymour | 1,531 | $95,139 | 4.0% | $241,300 |
| Fall Creek | 1,493 | $86,818 | 7.3% | $214,200 |
| Augusta | 1,341 | $53,714 | 18.2% | $148,400 |
| Fairchild | 414 | $48,750 | 16.2% | $91,700 |
Cities Similar to Eau Claire
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh | 66,729 | $62,188 | $177,700 | 27.4% | 17.5% |
| Janesville | 66,030 | $73,446 | $223,400 | 27.3% | 9.0% |
| Waukesha | 71,233 | $83,837 | $315,500 | 41.7% | 9.8% |
| Appleton | 75,023 | $80,483 | $231,400 | 38.2% | 8.3% |
| West Allis | 59,612 | $67,611 | $203,800 | 29.6% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Eau Claire is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Eau Claire County. The total population is 70,322. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Eau Claire is 32.9 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Eau Claire is $67,395. This is 13% 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 14.3%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $247,600. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 54.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Eau Claire has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 8.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.4% vs 2.9%).
Education
36.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire, Wisconsin?
Eau Claire, Wisconsin has a population of 70,322 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Eau Claire, WI?
The median household income in Eau Claire is $67,395, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Eau Claire, WI?
The poverty rate in Eau Claire is 14.3%. This means approximately 9,538 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Eau Claire, Wisconsin?
Eau Claire's population is 85.5% White, 1.6% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Eau Claire, WI?
The median home value in Eau Claire is $247,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Eau Claire, Wisconsin?
36.7% of adults (25+) in Eau Claire hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.