Wausau, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wausau, Wisconsin had a total population of 39,996, the 18th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $64,389, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Wausau Quick Facts
How Wausau 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 | 39,893 | 39,996 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $61,877 | $64,389 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $155,900 | $167,900 | +7.7% |
How Wausau 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+)
Wausau Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Marathon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | 18,700 | $58,407 | 11.6% | $177,800 |
| Weston | 15,749 | $78,207 | 5.5% | $229,300 |
| Kronenwetter | 8,395 | $115,044 | 6.7% | $273,300 |
| Rib Mountain | 7,289 | $94,294 | 3.6% | $255,900 |
| Rothschild | 5,600 | $88,261 | 8.5% | $203,600 |
| Mosinee | 4,498 | $73,479 | 9.3% | $156,100 |
| Maine | 2,602 | $110,721 | 2.8% | $277,500 |
| Schofield | 2,120 | $65,583 | 8.0% | $154,000 |
| Abbotsford | 2,024 | $68,580 | 9.5% | $151,500 |
| Colby | 1,907 | $50,114 | 19.1% | $184,700 |
Cities Similar to Wausau
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beloit | 36,534 | $62,663 | $156,500 | 17.9% | 15.0% |
| Greenfield | 37,345 | $70,459 | $261,100 | 33.5% | 8.6% |
| Fond du Lac | 44,494 | $62,260 | $173,700 | 21.3% | 12.4% |
| Manitowoc | 34,620 | $63,757 | $160,700 | 24.6% | 12.6% |
| Sheboygan | 49,645 | $62,927 | $174,200 | 23.4% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Wausau is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Marathon County. The total population is 39,996. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wausau is 38.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wausau is $64,389. This is 17% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $167,900. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Wausau 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 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wausau is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.4%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.4% vs 2.9%).
Education
30.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wausau, 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 Wausau, Wisconsin?
Wausau, Wisconsin has a population of 39,996 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wausau, WI?
The median household income in Wausau is $64,389, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wausau, WI?
The poverty rate in Wausau is 14.6%. This means approximately 5,722 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wausau, Wisconsin?
Wausau's population is 77.6% White, 0.4% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wausau, WI?
The median home value in Wausau is $167,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Wausau, Wisconsin?
30.9% of adults (25+) in Wausau hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.