Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin had a total population of 12,463, the 78th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $79,302, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Fort Atkinson Quick Facts
How Fort Atkinson 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 | 12,490 | 12,463 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $75,350 | $79,302 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $198,600 | $211,800 | +6.6% |
How Fort Atkinson 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+)
Fort Atkinson Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | 7,732 | $79,006 | 11.2% | $225,600 |
| Lake Mills | 6,470 | $91,027 | 5.1% | $317,100 |
| Waterloo | 3,600 | $87,776 | 13.7% | $230,600 |
| Johnson Creek | 3,362 | $100,685 | 4.3% | $314,200 |
| Ixonia | 2,684 | $93,359 | 1.0% | $345,300 |
| Palmyra | 2,195 | $86,058 | 11.4% | $213,100 |
| Lake Ripley | 1,932 | $116,179 | 10.1% | $366,300 |
| Lake Koshkonong | 1,010 | $97,115 | 5.8% | $370,300 |
| Sullivan | 663 | $71,250 | 27.2% | $257,400 |
| Rome | 620 | $92,083 | 4.7% | $326,200 |
Cities Similar to Fort Atkinson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Washington | 12,645 | $81,948 | $296,300 | 40.1% | 6.7% |
| Cedarburg | 12,605 | $84,896 | $422,000 | 57.7% | 4.7% |
| Stoughton | 13,033 | $79,551 | $293,500 | 39.3% | 7.1% |
| Grafton | 12,445 | $89,861 | $328,800 | 47.2% | 3.7% |
| Baraboo | 12,769 | $69,750 | $222,100 | 25.9% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Fort Atkinson is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Jefferson County. The total population is 12,463. It ranks as the 78th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Atkinson is 43.5 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Atkinson is $79,302. This is 2% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $211,800. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Fort Atkinson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Atkinson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.8%. 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 (13.8% vs 8.0%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
26.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 89.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Atkinson, 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 Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin?
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin has a population of 12,463 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Atkinson, WI?
The median household income in Fort Atkinson is $79,302, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Atkinson, WI?
The poverty rate in Fort Atkinson is 6.7%. This means approximately 830 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin?
Fort Atkinson's population is 82.9% White, 0.4% Black, 13.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Atkinson, WI?
The median home value in Fort Atkinson is $211,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin?
26.2% of adults (25+) in Fort Atkinson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.