River Falls city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, River Falls city, Wisconsin has a total population of 16,349, the 53rd largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $78,078, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Key Takeaways
- 44.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Wisconsin.
River Falls city Quick Facts
How River Falls 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+)
River Falls city Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black River Falls city | 3,514 | $57,712 | 11.8% | $152,300 |
| Melrose village | 637 | $50,208 | 17.4% | $137,500 |
| Alma Center village | 583 | $64,375 | 5.5% | $121,300 |
| Merrillan village | 568 | $53,875 | 14.8% | $129,300 |
| Hixton village | 398 | $74,219 | 5.5% | $158,000 |
| Taylor village | 336 | $51,786 | 15.8% | $110,700 |
Cities Similar to River Falls city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue village | 16,255 | $80,750 | $267,700 | 28.9% | 4.9% |
| Weston village | 15,784 | $75,565 | $215,900 | 24.0% | 7.7% |
| Kaukauna city | 17,237 | $78,353 | $198,800 | 27.1% | 8.0% |
| Hartford city | 15,761 | $74,252 | $261,300 | 29.3% | 8.9% |
| Beaver Dam city | 16,629 | $68,757 | $189,800 | 27.3% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
River Falls city is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Jackson County. The total population is 16,349. It ranks as the 53rd most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in River Falls city is 27.9 years. This is 30% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in River Falls city is $78,078. This is 3% higher than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $299,800. Housing costs are 21% higher than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 58.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
River Falls city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.3%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 6.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 7.8%.
Education
44.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places River Falls city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 34% 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 97.3%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for River Falls 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.
Free data download: Get all Wisconsin city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of River Falls city, Wisconsin?
River Falls city, Wisconsin has a population of 16,349 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in River Falls city, WI?
The median household income in River Falls city is $78,078, which is about average the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in River Falls city, WI?
The poverty rate in River Falls city is 17.3%. This means approximately 2,440 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of River Falls city, Wisconsin?
River Falls city's population is 91.6% White, 0.6% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in River Falls city, WI?
The median home value in River Falls city is $299,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is River Falls city, Wisconsin?
44.1% of adults (25+) in River Falls city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.