Rice Lake, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rice Lake, Wisconsin had a total population of 9,030, the 106th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $52,417, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Rice Lake Quick Facts
How Rice Lake 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 | 9,030 | 9,030 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $55,040 | $52,417 | -4.8% |
| Median home value | $178,100 | $193,800 | +8.8% |
How Rice Lake 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+)
Rice Lake Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Barron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barron | 3,681 | $47,469 | 17.7% | $121,600 |
| Cumberland | 2,282 | $49,479 | 37.1% | $181,100 |
| Chetek | 2,177 | $64,141 | 13.2% | $171,200 |
| Cameron | 1,686 | $61,518 | 8.9% | $190,000 |
| Turtle Lake | 960 | $61,250 | 5.3% | $157,500 |
| Almena | 641 | $48,333 | 14.1% | $116,300 |
| Prairie Farm | 423 | $45,313 | 22.8% | $138,500 |
| Dallas | 359 | $48,542 | 16.2% | $135,700 |
| Haugen | 284 | $76,250 | 8.5% | $144,200 |
| Barronett | 42 | $50,625 | 26.2% | $68,800 |
Cities Similar to Rice Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrill | 9,356 | $53,148 | $123,800 | 15.0% | 17.4% |
| St. Francis | 9,004 | $57,368 | $234,500 | 30.7% | 17.0% |
| Tomah | 9,532 | $51,274 | $174,300 | 24.2% | 16.7% |
| Rhinelander | 8,316 | $51,421 | $125,700 | 22.4% | 12.8% |
| Shawano | 9,522 | $57,490 | $160,800 | 20.4% | 14.9% |
Population Overview
Rice Lake is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Barron County. The total population is 9,030. It ranks as the 106th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rice Lake is 36.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rice Lake is $52,417. This is 32% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.9%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $193,800. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 55.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rice Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The Black or African American population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
25.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 89.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rice Lake, 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 Rice Lake, Wisconsin?
Rice Lake, Wisconsin has a population of 9,030 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rice Lake, WI?
The median household income in Rice Lake is $52,417, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rice Lake, WI?
The poverty rate in Rice Lake is 12.9%. This means approximately 1,132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rice Lake, Wisconsin?
Rice Lake's population is 87.3% White, 2.6% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rice Lake, WI?
The median home value in Rice Lake is $193,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Rice Lake, Wisconsin?
25.8% of adults (25+) in Rice Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.