La Crosse city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, La Crosse city, Wisconsin has a total population of 51,791, the 12th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $53,803, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.6%.
La Crosse city Quick Facts
How La Crosse 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+)
La Crosse city Rankings in Wisconsin
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Other Cities in La Crosse County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onalaska city | 18,909 | $84,898 | 5.9% | $279,100 |
| Holmen village | 11,027 | $77,083 | 5.6% | $262,600 |
| West Salem village | 5,268 | $90,991 | 8.9% | $269,300 |
| Bangor village | 1,409 | $74,271 | 9.5% | $211,900 |
Cities Similar to La Crosse city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan city | 49,812 | $62,953 | $165,200 | 23.4% | 12.2% |
| Fond du Lac city | 44,491 | $61,620 | $161,300 | 21.7% | 12.5% |
| West Allis city | 59,588 | $69,685 | $191,700 | 29.4% | 10.5% |
| Oshkosh city | 66,247 | $61,929 | $168,400 | 27.3% | 15.9% |
| Wausau city | 39,893 | $61,877 | $155,900 | 30.0% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
La Crosse city is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within La Crosse County. The total population is 51,791. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Crosse city is 30.3 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Crosse city is $53,803. This is 29% lower than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 31% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 105% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. 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 3.5%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $196,600. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 46.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
La Crosse city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Asian residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.5% vs 2.9%).
Education
34.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 95.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Crosse 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of La Crosse city, Wisconsin?
La Crosse city, Wisconsin has a population of 51,791 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Crosse city, WI?
The median household income in La Crosse city is $53,803, which is 31% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in La Crosse city, WI?
The poverty rate in La Crosse city is 21.6%. This means approximately 10,316 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Crosse city, Wisconsin?
La Crosse city's population is 87.2% White, 1.8% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Crosse city, WI?
The median home value in La Crosse city is $196,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is La Crosse city, Wisconsin?
34.8% of adults (25+) in La Crosse city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.