Medford, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Medford, Wisconsin had a total population of 4,431, the 169th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $59,842, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Medford Quick Facts
How Medford 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 | 4,331 | 4,431 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $53,173 | $59,842 | +12.5% |
| Median home value | $175,300 | $186,600 | +6.4% |
How Medford 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+)
Medford Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Taylor County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rib Lake | 888 | $57,632 | 16.4% | $99,400 |
| Stetsonville | 575 | $54,756 | 11.3% | $182,500 |
| Gilman | 388 | $53,929 | 13.3% | $122,700 |
| Westboro | 227 | $58,750 | 5.8% | $107,800 |
| Lublin | 110 | $63,750 | 7.3% | $121,600 |
| Whittlesey | 77 | $54,583 | 28.6% | $137,500 |
| Chelsea | 75 | $40,625 | 52.0% | $112,500 |
| Jump River | 43 | N/A | 27.9% | $99,100 |
Cities Similar to Medford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oconto | 4,625 | $61,506 | $148,700 | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| French Island | 4,188 | $60,202 | $207,100 | 23.6% | 13.7% |
| Viroqua | 4,471 | $67,438 | $209,900 | 31.3% | 7.7% |
| Mauston | 4,248 | $63,636 | $150,200 | 20.3% | 18.5% |
| Clintonville | 4,580 | $53,304 | $112,000 | 20.0% | 16.7% |
Population Overview
Medford is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Taylor County. The total population is 4,431. It ranks as the 169th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Medford is 49.5 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.3% 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 Medford is $59,842. This is 23% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $186,600. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 56.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Medford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 8.0%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Medford, 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 Medford, Wisconsin?
Medford, Wisconsin has a population of 4,431 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Medford, WI?
The median household income in Medford is $59,842, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Medford, WI?
The poverty rate in Medford is 7.9%. This means approximately 344 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Medford, Wisconsin?
Medford's population is 94.3% White, 0.3% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Medford, WI?
The median home value in Medford is $186,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Medford, Wisconsin?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Medford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.