French Island, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, French Island, Wisconsin had a total population of 4,188, the 175th largest community in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $60,202, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 11.4% is notably above the national average.
French Island Quick Facts
How French Island 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 | 4,235 | 4,188 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $59,462 | $60,202 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $198,200 | $207,100 | +4.5% |
How French Island 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+)
French Island Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in La Crosse County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | 51,356 | $55,866 | 21.4% | $210,100 |
| Onalaska | 19,348 | $85,867 | 6.0% | $288,900 |
| Holmen | 11,372 | $79,899 | 6.0% | $285,900 |
| West Salem | 5,330 | $97,019 | 8.6% | $277,100 |
| Brice Prairie | 1,782 | $94,408 | 2.1% | $297,300 |
| Bangor | 1,517 | $81,250 | 8.6% | $218,000 |
| Rockland | 745 | $78,500 | 8.4% | $223,000 |
| St. Joseph | 548 | $90,625 | 10.4% | $285,100 |
| Mindoro | 225 | $66,563 | 19.1% | $216,000 |
Cities Similar to French Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mauston | 4,248 | $63,636 | $150,200 | 20.3% | 18.5% |
| Medford | 4,431 | $59,842 | $186,600 | 22.7% | 7.9% |
| Oconto | 4,625 | $61,506 | $148,700 | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| Viroqua | 4,471 | $67,438 | $209,900 | 31.3% | 7.7% |
| Pulaski | 4,006 | $71,473 | $235,800 | 23.4% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
French Island is a small community located in Wisconsin, within La Crosse County. The total population is 4,188. It ranks as the 175th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in French Island is 48.2 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in French Island is $60,202. This is 22% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 30% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 11.4%. This is 250% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $207,100. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 74.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
French Island has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.1%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for French Island, 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 French Island, Wisconsin?
French Island, Wisconsin has a population of 4,188 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in French Island, WI?
The median household income in French Island is $60,202, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in French Island, WI?
The poverty rate in French Island is 13.7%. This means approximately 575 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of French Island, Wisconsin?
French Island's population is 92.0% White, 1.2% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in French Island, WI?
The median home value in French Island is $207,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is French Island, Wisconsin?
23.6% of adults (25+) in French Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.