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Portage County, Wisconsin Demographics 2026

Portage County, Wisconsin has a population of 70,375, the 23rd most populous county in Wisconsin. The median household income is $73,284 and the median home value is $230,400. The poverty rate is 10.2%.

Portage County Quick Facts

Population 70,375
Median Household Income $73,284
Median Home Value $230,400
Poverty Rate 10.2%
Unemployment Rate 3.2%
Median Age 38.1 years
Homeownership Rate 69.3%
Affordability Ratio 3.1x
Bachelor's Degree+ 33.7%
High School Graduation 94.8%
Cities/Places 10
Population 70,375 23rd of 72
Median Income $73,284 3% lower state
Poverty Rate 10.2%
Unemployment 3.2%

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.2% Unemployment Rate State: 3.3% | National: 5.2%
66.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 69.3%
Renter 30.7%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.1x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

20out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 36 | National average: 60

Education

Cities & Places in Portage County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Stevens Point city25,497$56,21816.2%$189,700
Plover village13,713$83,1399.6%$244,500
Whiting village1,496$72,2576.3%$206,300
Amherst village1,033$56,8337.7%$218,000
Park Ridge village589$82,0835.6%$265,200
Rosholt village476$54,0633.8%$166,300
Almond village417$70,00010.1%$140,000
Amherst Junction village334$100,0004.5%$303,900
Junction City village301$62,50018.9%$122,400
Nelsonville village197$66,7504.6%$157,800

Explore Wisconsin Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Population Overview

Portage County is located in Wisconsin with a total population of 70,375. It is the 23rd most populous county out of 72 in Wisconsin. The county encompasses 10 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Portage County is 38.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Portage County is $73,284. This is 3% lower than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 7% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.2%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $230,400. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Portage County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 6.0%.

Education

33.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 94.8%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Portage County, Wisconsin?

Portage County has a population of 70,375, making it the 23rd most populous county in Wisconsin.

What is the median income in Portage County?

The median household income in Portage County is $73,284 with a poverty rate of 10.2%.

How many cities are in Portage County, Wisconsin?

Portage County contains 10 Census-designated places.