Waupaca, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waupaca, Wisconsin had a total population of 6,283, the 140th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $52,727, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Waupaca Quick Facts
How Waupaca 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 | 6,314 | 6,283 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $52,586 | $52,727 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $177,600 | $175,600 | -1.1% |
How Waupaca 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+)
Waupaca Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Waupaca County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clintonville | 4,580 | $53,304 | 16.7% | $112,000 |
| Weyauwega | 1,789 | $66,625 | 10.6% | $152,100 |
| King | 1,399 | $84,183 | 7.7% | $145,900 |
| Manawa | 1,337 | $88,393 | 10.7% | $159,400 |
| Iola | 1,286 | $44,735 | 13.7% | $164,200 |
| Marion | 1,238 | $60,521 | 19.6% | $104,200 |
| Chain O' Lakes | 908 | $83,194 | 3.7% | $640,000 |
| Fremont | 650 | $68,750 | 13.1% | $235,300 |
| Scandinavia | 379 | $59,375 | 4.2% | $165,900 |
| Northport | 373 | $92,292 | 7.8% | $227,500 |
Cities Similar to Waupaca
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie du Chien | 5,491 | $54,268 | $161,300 | 16.1% | 17.4% |
| Berlin | 5,562 | $59,472 | $160,300 | 16.2% | 16.0% |
| Edgerton | 6,014 | $72,489 | $266,900 | 30.8% | 8.6% |
| Richland Center | 5,109 | $51,932 | $158,300 | 18.6% | 16.0% |
| Ripon | 7,772 | $54,763 | $174,900 | 24.4% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Waupaca is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Waupaca County. The total population is 6,283. It ranks as the 140th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waupaca is 42.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 10.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waupaca is $52,727. This is 32% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $175,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 61.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waupaca has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.7%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
23.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waupaca, 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 Waupaca, Wisconsin?
Waupaca, Wisconsin has a population of 6,283 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waupaca, WI?
The median household income in Waupaca is $52,727, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waupaca, WI?
The poverty rate in Waupaca is 11.5%. This means approximately 671 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waupaca, Wisconsin?
Waupaca's population is 92.2% White, 1.0% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waupaca, WI?
The median home value in Waupaca is $175,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Waupaca, Wisconsin?
23.9% of adults (25+) in Waupaca hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.