Melrose, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Melrose, Wisconsin had a total population of 562, the 511th largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $48,750, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Melrose Quick Facts
How Melrose 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 | 637 | 562 | -11.8% |
| Median household income | $50,208 | $48,750 | -2.9% |
| Median home value | $137,500 | $151,600 | +10.3% |
How Melrose 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+)
Melrose Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black River Falls | 3,546 | $66,632 | 9.9% | $171,800 |
| Alma Center | 713 | $68,250 | 7.1% | $142,500 |
| Merrillan | 527 | $52,273 | 19.4% | $139,600 |
| Hixton | 422 | $76,563 | 5.7% | $158,600 |
| Mission | 349 | $46,875 | 35.9% | $122,100 |
| Taylor | 328 | $59,531 | 11.6% | $117,500 |
| Hatfield | 190 | $60,417 | 12.1% | $209,200 |
| Sand Pillow | 176 | $35,625 | 26.1% | $141,700 |
| Millston | 114 | $51,250 | 12.3% | $133,900 |
Cities Similar to Melrose
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soldiers Grove | 579 | $48,438 | $158,300 | 15.3% | 25.4% |
| La Farge | 575 | $46,042 | $136,000 | 10.3% | 24.3% |
| Bluffview | 542 | $46,943 | $23,900 | 11.9% | 10.3% |
| Wausaukee | 531 | $48,897 | $98,300 | 5.9% | 13.9% |
| Gresham | 570 | $55,625 | $102,800 | 11.4% | 13.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 562, Melrose'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
Melrose is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Jackson County. The total population is 562. It ranks as the 511th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melrose is 36.1 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Melrose is $48,750. This is 37% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.9%. This is 79% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 36% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $151,600. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Melrose has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.0%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 96.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melrose, 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 Melrose, Wisconsin?
Melrose, Wisconsin has a population of 562 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melrose, WI?
The median household income in Melrose is $48,750, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Melrose, WI?
The poverty rate in Melrose is 18.9%. This means approximately 106 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melrose, Wisconsin?
Melrose's population is 87.2% White, 0.0% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melrose, WI?
The median home value in Melrose is $151,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Melrose, Wisconsin?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Melrose hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.