Waunakee, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waunakee, Wisconsin had a total population of 15,687, the 59th largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $125,220, which is 62% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 62% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Wisconsin.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.8% — among the lowest in Wisconsin.
- 63.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Wisconsin.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Waunakee Quick Facts
How Waunakee 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 | 14,927 | 15,687 | +5.1% |
| Median household income | $128,750 | $125,220 | -2.7% |
| Median home value | $490,300 | $515,900 | +5.2% |
How Waunakee 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+)
Waunakee Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Dane County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 278,001 | $78,050 | 16.4% | $372,900 |
| Sun Prairie | 37,570 | $90,942 | 6.2% | $365,700 |
| Fitchburg | 32,619 | $86,516 | 9.3% | $417,200 |
| Middleton | 22,301 | $89,524 | 7.6% | $484,200 |
| Verona | 15,232 | $119,606 | 1.4% | $420,400 |
| Stoughton | 13,033 | $79,551 | 7.1% | $293,500 |
| Oregon | 11,547 | $102,978 | 4.7% | $417,200 |
| DeForest | 11,501 | $106,419 | 5.7% | $359,600 |
| Windsor | 9,452 | $120,048 | 4.5% | $425,600 |
| McFarland | 9,160 | $97,500 | 3.8% | $390,100 |
Cities Similar to Waunakee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verona | 15,232 | $119,606 | $420,400 | 64.3% | 1.4% |
| Pewaukee | 16,211 | $108,350 | $447,100 | 57.3% | 3.7% |
| Harrison | 13,658 | $121,504 | $348,500 | 45.9% | 2.2% |
| Whitefish Bay | 14,665 | $157,109 | $533,800 | 81.8% | 3.7% |
| Hudson | 14,959 | $93,937 | $392,700 | 43.1% | 6.2% |
Population Overview
Waunakee is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Dane County. The total population is 15,687. It ranks as the 59th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waunakee is 39.6 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 28.6% of the population under 18, Waunakee has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waunakee is $125,220. This is 62% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 55% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.8%. This is 74% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $515,900. Housing costs are 94% higher than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 77.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waunakee has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.3%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
63.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Waunakee in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 91% 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%. Notably, 22.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waunakee, 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 Waunakee, Wisconsin?
Waunakee, Wisconsin has a population of 15,687 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waunakee, WI?
The median household income in Waunakee is $125,220, which is 55% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waunakee, WI?
The poverty rate in Waunakee is 2.8%. This means approximately 428 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waunakee, Wisconsin?
Waunakee's population is 85.9% White, 1.4% Black, 7.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waunakee, WI?
The median home value in Waunakee is $515,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Waunakee, Wisconsin?
63.8% of adults (25+) in Waunakee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.