Portage, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portage, Wisconsin had a total population of 10,236, the 95th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $64,722, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Portage Quick Facts
How Portage 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 | 10,374 | 10,236 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $62,785 | $64,722 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $187,300 | $204,900 | +9.4% |
How Portage 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+)
Portage Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodi | 3,204 | $117,584 | 5.1% | $328,200 |
| Poynette | 2,678 | $93,500 | 6.7% | $296,600 |
| Fall River | 1,678 | $72,167 | 9.5% | $243,700 |
| Pardeeville | 1,672 | $64,902 | 8.8% | $230,400 |
| Rio | 1,141 | $67,833 | 17.5% | $196,100 |
| Arlington | 946 | $98,750 | 2.3% | $291,600 |
| Cambria | 795 | $69,323 | 8.4% | $157,900 |
| Wyocena | 676 | $83,269 | 11.7% | $223,500 |
| Friesland | 297 | $86,250 | 3.7% | $151,300 |
| Dekorra | 161 | $120,227 | 1.9% | $275,000 |
Cities Similar to Portage
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta | 9,950 | $64,973 | $180,600 | 19.7% | 11.3% |
| Monroe | 10,587 | $69,334 | $195,300 | 27.4% | 8.9% |
| Reedsburg | 10,168 | $75,028 | $229,100 | 26.6% | 8.3% |
| Sturgeon Bay | 9,806 | $59,926 | $236,300 | 25.0% | 9.2% |
| Elkhorn | 10,221 | $77,649 | $273,600 | 30.1% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
Portage is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Columbia County. The total population is 10,236. It ranks as the 95th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portage is 37.8 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portage is $64,722. This is 16% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $204,900. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 58.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portage, 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 Portage, Wisconsin?
Portage, Wisconsin has a population of 10,236 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portage, WI?
The median household income in Portage is $64,722, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portage, WI?
The poverty rate in Portage is 13.5%. This means approximately 1,228 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portage, Wisconsin?
Portage's population is 83.9% White, 5.9% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portage, WI?
The median home value in Portage is $204,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Portage, Wisconsin?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Portage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.