River Falls, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, River Falls, Wisconsin had a total population of 16,719, the 51st largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $83,627, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 44.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Wisconsin.
River Falls Quick Facts
How River Falls 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 | 16,349 | 16,719 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $78,078 | $83,627 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $299,800 | $327,600 | +9.3% |
How River Falls 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+)
River Falls Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in St. Croix County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson | 14,959 | $93,937 | 6.2% | $392,700 |
| New Richmond | 10,539 | $88,157 | 10.5% | $285,100 |
| Baldwin | 4,342 | $77,179 | 9.7% | $273,500 |
| North Hudson | 3,819 | $122,647 | 4.2% | $385,300 |
| Somerset | 3,208 | $80,395 | 14.8% | $286,600 |
| Hammond | 1,960 | $82,721 | 17.4% | $262,200 |
| Roberts | 1,858 | $93,400 | 10.5% | $288,000 |
| Woodville | 1,424 | $80,104 | 7.4% | $220,300 |
| Spring Valley | 1,290 | $69,750 | 6.6% | $198,900 |
| Glenwood City | 1,260 | $72,917 | 12.2% | $176,700 |
Cities Similar to River Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | 16,442 | $84,672 | $299,100 | 30.4% | 4.0% |
| Hartford | 15,821 | $82,014 | $297,100 | 28.8% | 9.0% |
| Kaukauna | 17,706 | $80,365 | $225,700 | 25.1% | 7.8% |
| Weston | 15,749 | $78,207 | $229,300 | 25.7% | 5.5% |
| Beaver Dam | 16,565 | $66,673 | $201,900 | 25.1% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
River Falls is a small city located in Wisconsin, within St. Croix County. The total population is 16,719. It ranks as the 51st most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in River Falls is 28.6 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in River Falls is $83,627. This is 8% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $327,600. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 55.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
River Falls has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 8.0%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
44.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places River Falls in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 35% higher 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 98.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for River Falls, 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 River Falls, Wisconsin?
River Falls, Wisconsin has a population of 16,719 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in River Falls, WI?
The median household income in River Falls is $83,627, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in River Falls, WI?
The poverty rate in River Falls is 15.1%. This means approximately 2,183 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of River Falls, Wisconsin?
River Falls's population is 93.1% White, 0.2% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in River Falls, WI?
The median home value in River Falls is $327,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is River Falls, Wisconsin?
44.9% of adults (25+) in River Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.