West Salem, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Salem, Wisconsin had a total population of 5,330, the 151st largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $97,019, which is 25% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 46.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Wisconsin.
West Salem Quick Facts
How West Salem 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 | 5,268 | 5,330 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $90,991 | $97,019 | +6.6% |
| Median home value | $269,300 | $277,100 | +2.9% |
How West Salem 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+)
West Salem Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in La Crosse County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | 51,356 | $55,866 | 21.4% | $210,100 |
| Onalaska | 19,348 | $85,867 | 6.0% | $288,900 |
| Holmen | 11,372 | $79,899 | 6.0% | $285,900 |
| French Island | 4,188 | $60,202 | 13.7% | $207,100 |
| Brice Prairie | 1,782 | $94,408 | 2.1% | $297,300 |
| Bangor | 1,517 | $81,250 | 8.6% | $218,000 |
| Rockland | 745 | $78,500 | 8.4% | $223,000 |
| St. Joseph | 548 | $90,625 | 10.4% | $285,100 |
| Mindoro | 225 | $66,563 | 19.1% | $216,000 |
Cities Similar to West Salem
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rothschild | 5,600 | $88,261 | $203,600 | 33.6% | 8.5% |
| Union Grove | 5,036 | $107,482 | $277,400 | 31.7% | 4.0% |
| Bloomfield | 4,780 | $98,068 | $236,100 | 13.2% | 7.5% |
| Wind Lake | 4,836 | $102,855 | $386,100 | 31.8% | 5.7% |
| Milton | 5,706 | $85,959 | $249,200 | 28.3% | 6.5% |
Population Overview
West Salem is a small city located in Wisconsin, within La Crosse County. The total population is 5,330. It ranks as the 151st most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Salem is 40.6 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Salem is $97,019. This is 25% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 20% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $277,100. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, West Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.9% of all residents. Asian residents account for 5.0%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 8.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.0% vs 2.9%).
Education
46.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places West Salem in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 38% 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 97.4%. Notably, 15.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Salem, 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 West Salem, Wisconsin?
West Salem, Wisconsin has a population of 5,330 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Salem, WI?
The median household income in West Salem is $97,019, which is 20% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Salem, WI?
The poverty rate in West Salem is 8.6%. This means approximately 446 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Salem, Wisconsin?
West Salem's population is 86.9% White, 0.1% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Salem, WI?
The median home value in West Salem is $277,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is West Salem, Wisconsin?
46.0% of adults (25+) in West Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.