La Crosse, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Crosse, Wisconsin had a total population of 51,356, the 12th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $55,866, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
La Crosse Quick Facts
How La Crosse 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 | 51,791 | 51,356 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $53,803 | $55,866 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $196,600 | $210,100 | +6.9% |
How La Crosse 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+)
La Crosse Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in La Crosse County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| French Island | 4,188 | $60,202 | 13.7% | $207,100 |
| 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 La Crosse
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan | 49,645 | $62,927 | $174,200 | 23.4% | 12.3% |
| Fond du Lac | 44,494 | $62,260 | $173,700 | 21.3% | 12.4% |
| West Allis | 59,612 | $67,611 | $203,800 | 29.6% | 11.5% |
| Oshkosh | 66,729 | $62,188 | $177,700 | 27.4% | 17.5% |
| Wausau | 39,996 | $64,389 | $167,900 | 30.9% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
La Crosse is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within La Crosse County. The total population is 51,356. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Crosse is 30.5 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 14.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Crosse is $55,866. This is 28% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 103% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. 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 3.7%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $210,100. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 46.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
La Crosse has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Asian residents account for 4.4%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
34.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% 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 96.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Crosse, 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 La Crosse, Wisconsin?
La Crosse, Wisconsin has a population of 51,356 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Crosse, WI?
The median household income in La Crosse is $55,866, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Crosse, WI?
The poverty rate in La Crosse is 21.4%. This means approximately 10,109 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Crosse, Wisconsin?
La Crosse's population is 86.6% White, 2.0% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Crosse, WI?
The median home value in La Crosse is $210,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is La Crosse, Wisconsin?
34.9% of adults (25+) in La Crosse hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.