Wausau city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wausau city, Wisconsin has a total population of 39,893, the 18th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $61,877, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Wausau city Quick Facts
How Wausau city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 36 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wausau city Rankings in Wisconsin
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Other Cities in Marathon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weston village | 15,784 | $75,565 | 7.7% | $215,900 |
| Kronenwetter village | 8,420 | $107,268 | 7.7% | $240,700 |
| Rothschild village | 5,532 | $87,250 | 9.5% | $188,000 |
| Mosinee city | 4,492 | $71,314 | 10.3% | $150,000 |
| Maine village | 2,608 | $110,592 | 2.1% | $262,100 |
| Colby city | 2,118 | $52,574 | 16.0% | $147,900 |
| Abbotsford city | 2,100 | $59,943 | 17.0% | $135,600 |
| Schofield city | 2,020 | $65,478 | 9.8% | $144,200 |
| Spencer village | 1,621 | $74,245 | 2.2% | $143,000 |
| Stratford village | 1,439 | $65,880 | 12.6% | $189,700 |
Cities Similar to Wausau city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beloit city | 36,554 | $59,975 | $133,500 | 18.0% | 16.8% |
| Fond du Lac city | 44,491 | $61,620 | $161,300 | 21.7% | 12.5% |
| Greenfield city | 37,361 | $69,016 | $247,800 | 32.3% | 8.1% |
| Manitowoc city | 34,553 | $62,133 | $143,900 | 23.8% | 13.8% |
| Sheboygan city | 49,812 | $62,953 | $165,200 | 23.4% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Wausau city is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Marathon County. The total population is 39,893. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wausau city is 38.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wausau city is $61,877. This is 18% lower than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $155,900. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $247,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Wausau city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wausau city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.7%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 6.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.7% vs 2.9%).
Education
30.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 32.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wausau city, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 807 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wausau city, Wisconsin?
Wausau city, Wisconsin has a population of 39,893 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wausau city, WI?
The median household income in Wausau city is $61,877, which is 21% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wausau city, WI?
The poverty rate in Wausau city is 14.4%. This means approximately 5,640 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wausau city, Wisconsin?
Wausau city's population is 77.8% White, 0.5% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wausau city, WI?
The median home value in Wausau city is $155,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Wausau city, Wisconsin?
30.0% of adults (25+) in Wausau city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.