Laona, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laona, Wisconsin had a total population of 631, the 485th largest community in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $53,261, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 5.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Laona Quick Facts
How Laona 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 | 548 | 631 | +15.1% |
| Median household income | $39,688 | $53,261 | +34.2% |
| Median home value | $131,900 | $128,100 | -2.9% |
How Laona 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+)
Laona Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Forest County
Cities Similar to Laona
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neopit | 623 | $55,000 | $53,500 | 12.5% | 18.1% |
| Cassville | 634 | $58,750 | $123,100 | 16.3% | 11.8% |
| Almena | 641 | $48,333 | $116,300 | 11.2% | 14.1% |
| Elmwood | 629 | $61,563 | $172,000 | 14.6% | 13.7% |
| Stetsonville | 575 | $54,756 | $182,500 | 13.2% | 11.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 631, Laona's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Laona is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Forest County. The total population is 631. It ranks as the 485th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laona is 38.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laona is $53,261. This is 31% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 116% 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 2.7%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $128,100. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Laona is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Laona has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
5.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 84% 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 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laona, 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 Laona, Wisconsin?
Laona, Wisconsin has a population of 631 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laona, WI?
The median household income in Laona is $53,261, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laona, WI?
The poverty rate in Laona is 22.8%. This means approximately 144 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laona, Wisconsin?
Laona's population is 96.4% White, 0.9% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laona, WI?
The median home value in Laona is $128,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Laona, Wisconsin?
5.3% of adults (25+) in Laona hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.