Shawano, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shawano, Wisconsin had a total population of 9,522, the 102nd largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $57,490, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Shawano Quick Facts
How Shawano 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 | 9,236 | 9,522 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $56,457 | $57,490 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $127,200 | $160,800 | +26.4% |
How Shawano 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+)
Shawano Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Shawano County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonduel | 1,535 | $63,672 | 9.5% | $173,900 |
| Wittenberg | 1,027 | $52,821 | 8.2% | $138,500 |
| Tigerton | 762 | $59,311 | 8.3% | $124,100 |
| Gresham | 570 | $55,625 | 13.3% | $102,800 |
| Cecil | 466 | $76,458 | 5.4% | $250,000 |
| Mattoon | 457 | $68,750 | 19.1% | $86,700 |
| Caroline | 426 | $74,803 | 3.3% | $151,400 |
| Bowler | 316 | $53,750 | 20.9% | $137,500 |
| Krakow | 301 | $80,000 | 5.0% | $232,100 |
| Aniwa | 245 | $50,417 | 14.3% | $80,000 |
Cities Similar to Shawano
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon Bay | 9,806 | $59,926 | $236,300 | 25.0% | 9.2% |
| 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% |
| Rice Lake | 9,030 | $52,417 | $193,800 | 25.8% | 12.9% |
Population Overview
Shawano is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Shawano County. The total population is 9,522. It ranks as the 102nd most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shawano is 40.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shawano is $57,490. This is 26% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $160,800. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Shawano is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shawano is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
20.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 95.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shawano, 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 Shawano, Wisconsin?
Shawano, Wisconsin has a population of 9,522 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shawano, WI?
The median household income in Shawano is $57,490, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shawano, WI?
The poverty rate in Shawano is 14.9%. This means approximately 1,367 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shawano, Wisconsin?
Shawano's population is 78.6% White, 0.8% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shawano, WI?
The median home value in Shawano is $160,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Shawano, Wisconsin?
20.4% of adults (25+) in Shawano hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.