Ladysmith, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ladysmith, Wisconsin had a total population of 3,227, the 211th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $41,719, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
Ladysmith Quick Facts
How Ladysmith 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 | 3,152 | 3,227 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $40,104 | $41,719 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $88,800 | $124,200 | +39.9% |
How Ladysmith 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+)
Ladysmith Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Rusk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce | 900 | $52,667 | 16.9% | $87,100 |
| Hawkins | 322 | $41,250 | 16.5% | $72,500 |
| Sheldon | 220 | $37,315 | 15.0% | $118,400 |
| Weyerhaeuser | 161 | $61,250 | 19.3% | $95,000 |
| Tony | 123 | $81,250 | 7.3% | $85,000 |
| Glen Flora | 89 | $68,750 | 18.0% | $115,000 |
| Conrath | 70 | N/A | 1.4% | $153,100 |
| Ingram | 44 | $48,750 | 13.6% | $97,500 |
Cities Similar to Ladysmith
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brodhead | 3,197 | $49,583 | $168,800 | 12.1% | 14.9% |
| Boscobel | 3,242 | $54,071 | $147,400 | 13.8% | 20.5% |
| Oconto Falls | 3,001 | $51,228 | $162,800 | 25.8% | 9.7% |
| Lake Delton | 3,482 | $51,964 | $178,300 | 20.6% | 12.6% |
| Brillion | 3,299 | $57,955 | $198,900 | 19.2% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Ladysmith is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Rusk County. The total population is 3,227. It ranks as the 211th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ladysmith is 49.5 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 12.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ladysmith is $41,719. This is 46% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 80% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 10.2%. This is 214% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $124,200. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 52.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ladysmith has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 8.0%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 97.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ladysmith, 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 Ladysmith, Wisconsin?
Ladysmith, Wisconsin has a population of 3,227 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ladysmith, WI?
The median household income in Ladysmith is $41,719, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ladysmith, WI?
The poverty rate in Ladysmith is 19.0%. This means approximately 583 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ladysmith, Wisconsin?
Ladysmith's population is 90.1% White, 3.4% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ladysmith, WI?
The median home value in Ladysmith is $124,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Ladysmith, Wisconsin?
20.2% of adults (25+) in Ladysmith hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.