Rhinelander, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rhinelander, Wisconsin had a total population of 8,316, the 118th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $51,421, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Rhinelander Quick Facts
How Rhinelander 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 | 8,248 | 8,316 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $53,561 | $51,421 | -4.0% |
| Median home value | $123,300 | $125,700 | +1.9% |
How Rhinelander 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+)
Rhinelander Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Oneida County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodruff | 580 | $70,625 | 5.1% | $278,400 |
| Minocqua | 497 | $41,436 | 27.8% | $475,900 |
| Three Lakes | 410 | $44,844 | 9.8% | $170,000 |
| Lake Tomahawk | 190 | $62,981 | 21.6% | $195,600 |
Cities Similar to Rhinelander
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | 7,902 | $54,529 | $176,400 | 29.5% | 17.8% |
| Antigo | 8,069 | $45,520 | $104,800 | 14.2% | 19.5% |
| Rice Lake | 9,030 | $52,417 | $193,800 | 25.8% | 12.9% |
| Ripon | 7,772 | $54,763 | $174,900 | 24.4% | 12.8% |
| Pewaukee | 8,196 | $62,139 | $281,800 | 42.0% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Rhinelander is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Oneida County. The total population is 8,316. It ranks as the 118th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rhinelander is 38.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rhinelander is $51,421. This is 34% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $125,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Rhinelander is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rhinelander has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
22.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rhinelander, 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 Rhinelander, Wisconsin?
Rhinelander, Wisconsin has a population of 8,316 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rhinelander, WI?
The median household income in Rhinelander is $51,421, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rhinelander, WI?
The poverty rate in Rhinelander is 12.8%. This means approximately 1,024 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rhinelander, Wisconsin?
Rhinelander's population is 92.7% White, 1.1% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rhinelander, WI?
The median home value in Rhinelander is $125,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Rhinelander, Wisconsin?
22.4% of adults (25+) in Rhinelander hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.