Onalaska city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Onalaska city, Wisconsin has a total population of 18,909, the 43rd largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $84,898, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Onalaska city Quick Facts
How Onalaska city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 36 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Onalaska city Rankings in Wisconsin
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Other Cities in La Crosse County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse city | 51,791 | $53,803 | 21.6% | $196,600 |
| Holmen village | 11,027 | $77,083 | 5.6% | $262,600 |
| West Salem village | 5,268 | $90,991 | 8.9% | $269,300 |
| Bangor village | 1,409 | $74,271 | 9.5% | $211,900 |
Cities Similar to Onalaska city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Crossing village | 18,960 | $74,423 | $228,000 | 34.2% | 7.9% |
| Howard village | 20,261 | $84,896 | $286,200 | 34.9% | 5.4% |
| Kaukauna city | 17,237 | $78,353 | $198,800 | 27.1% | 8.0% |
| Oconomowoc city | 18,385 | $105,833 | $367,700 | 46.9% | 7.2% |
| Middleton city | 22,235 | $85,526 | $457,400 | 62.1% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Onalaska city is a small city located in Wisconsin, within La Crosse County. The total population is 18,909. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Onalaska city is 40.3 years. This is about average than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Onalaska city is $84,898. This is 12% higher than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 8% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. The median home value is $279,100. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 63.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Onalaska city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 5.0%. The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 6.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.0% vs 2.9%).
Education
41.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 32.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.6%. Notably, 16.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Onalaska city, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 807 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Onalaska city, Wisconsin?
Onalaska city, Wisconsin has a population of 18,909 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Onalaska city, WI?
The median household income in Onalaska city is $84,898, which is 8% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Onalaska city, WI?
The poverty rate in Onalaska city is 5.9%. This means approximately 1,109 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Onalaska city, Wisconsin?
Onalaska city's population is 84.9% White, 2.7% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Onalaska city, WI?
The median home value in Onalaska city is $279,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Onalaska city, Wisconsin?
41.4% of adults (25+) in Onalaska city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.