Portage city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Portage city, Wisconsin has a total population of 10,374, the 93rd largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $62,785, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Portage city Quick Facts
How Portage 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+)
Portage city Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodi city | 3,206 | $109,821 | 3.3% | $286,500 |
| Poynette village | 2,583 | $78,950 | 12.2% | $260,900 |
| Pardeeville village | 1,804 | $66,167 | 7.0% | $225,400 |
| Fall River village | 1,739 | $73,229 | 7.4% | $229,100 |
| Rio village | 1,068 | $68,304 | 20.0% | $174,800 |
| Arlington village | 947 | $97,031 | 1.8% | $279,300 |
| Cambria village | 765 | $69,375 | 8.4% | $149,300 |
| Wyocena village | 684 | $75,469 | 6.7% | $227,200 |
| Ontario village | 380 | $57,500 | 5.5% | $130,000 |
| Friesland village | 269 | $76,818 | 3.0% | $147,200 |
Cities Similar to Portage city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe city | 10,568 | $67,621 | $184,400 | 25.3% | 6.9% |
| Sparta city | 9,921 | $60,517 | $168,800 | 17.0% | 12.0% |
| Elkhorn city | 10,259 | $73,052 | $255,300 | 30.1% | 5.4% |
| Reedsburg city | 10,060 | $71,991 | $218,300 | 25.1% | 11.3% |
| Marinette city | 11,060 | $57,461 | $111,600 | 22.3% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Portage city is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Columbia County. The total population is 10,374. It ranks as the 93rd most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portage city is 36.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portage city is $62,785. This is 17% lower than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $187,300. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 57.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Portage city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.2%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
17.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portage 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 Portage city, Wisconsin?
Portage city, Wisconsin has a population of 10,374 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portage city, WI?
The median household income in Portage city is $62,785, which is 20% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Portage city, WI?
The poverty rate in Portage city is 13.9%. This means approximately 1,293 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portage city, Wisconsin?
Portage city's population is 85.6% White, 5.1% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portage city, WI?
The median home value in Portage city is $187,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Portage city, Wisconsin?
17.7% of adults (25+) in Portage city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.