Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin had a total population of 9,806, the 100th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $59,926, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sturgeon Bay Quick Facts
How Sturgeon Bay 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 | 9,702 | 9,806 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $56,882 | $59,926 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $217,600 | $236,300 | +8.6% |
How Sturgeon Bay 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+)
Sturgeon Bay Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Door County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sister Bay | 1,044 | $71,169 | 24.7% | $392,200 |
| Forestville | 558 | $83,804 | 3.8% | $163,800 |
| Ephraim | 412 | $100,313 | 8.0% | $505,100 |
| Baileys Harbor | 386 | $80,556 | 12.7% | $385,900 |
| Egg Harbor | 343 | $89,375 | 11.1% | $441,700 |
| Ellison Bay | 186 | $66,000 | 21.0% | $292,900 |
| Little Sturgeon | 111 | $70,625 | 5.4% | $483,300 |
Cities Similar to Sturgeon Bay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawano | 9,522 | $57,490 | $160,800 | 20.4% | 14.9% |
| Sparta | 9,950 | $64,973 | $180,600 | 19.7% | 11.3% |
| Portage | 10,236 | $64,722 | $204,900 | 19.9% | 13.5% |
| Tomah | 9,532 | $51,274 | $174,300 | 24.2% | 16.7% |
| Merrill | 9,356 | $53,148 | $123,800 | 15.0% | 17.4% |
Population Overview
Sturgeon Bay is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Door County. The total population is 9,806. It ranks as the 100th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sturgeon Bay is 45.8 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sturgeon Bay is $59,926. This is 23% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. The median home value is $236,300. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sturgeon Bay has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.1%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sturgeon Bay, 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 Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin?
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin has a population of 9,806 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sturgeon Bay, WI?
The median household income in Sturgeon Bay is $59,926, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sturgeon Bay, WI?
The poverty rate in Sturgeon Bay is 9.2%. This means approximately 888 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin?
Sturgeon Bay's population is 87.2% White, 0.0% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sturgeon Bay, WI?
The median home value in Sturgeon Bay is $236,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin?
25.0% of adults (25+) in Sturgeon Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.