Whitewater, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Whitewater, Wisconsin had a total population of 15,807, the 57th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $54,969, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Whitewater Quick Facts
How Whitewater 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 | 15,705 | 15,807 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $49,000 | $54,969 | +12.2% |
| Median home value | $211,800 | $229,400 | +8.3% |
How Whitewater 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+)
Whitewater Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Walworth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhorn | 10,221 | $77,649 | 7.6% | $273,600 |
| Delavan | 8,689 | $65,357 | 10.2% | $218,800 |
| Lake Geneva | 8,521 | $75,629 | 10.7% | $343,800 |
| East Troy | 4,978 | $79,669 | 10.2% | $299,600 |
| Bloomfield | 4,780 | $98,068 | 7.5% | $236,100 |
| Williams Bay | 2,981 | $84,113 | 8.7% | $444,700 |
| Walworth | 2,759 | $70,208 | 18.1% | $290,600 |
| Delavan Lake | 2,757 | $83,550 | 6.7% | $355,500 |
| Como | 2,197 | $75,266 | 3.2% | $278,400 |
| Fontana-on-Geneva Lake | 1,737 | $106,750 | 7.5% | $572,600 |
Cities Similar to Whitewater
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menomonie | 16,539 | $56,889 | $220,800 | 38.7% | 17.7% |
| Chippewa Falls | 14,782 | $57,873 | $210,400 | 20.9% | 15.4% |
| Beaver Dam | 16,565 | $66,673 | $201,900 | 25.1% | 8.9% |
| Wisconsin Rapids | 18,722 | $55,253 | $131,900 | 18.1% | 14.8% |
| Weston | 15,749 | $78,207 | $229,300 | 25.7% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
Whitewater is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Walworth County. The total population is 15,807. It ranks as the 57th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whitewater is 22.1 years. This is 45% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 11.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Whitewater is $54,969. This is 29% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.8%. This is 154% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 65% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $229,400. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 31.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 53% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Whitewater is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.3%.
Education
35.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 91.4%. Notably, 15.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Whitewater, 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 Whitewater, Wisconsin?
Whitewater, Wisconsin has a population of 15,807 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Whitewater, WI?
The median household income in Whitewater is $54,969, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Whitewater, WI?
The poverty rate in Whitewater is 26.8%. This means approximately 3,197 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Whitewater, Wisconsin?
Whitewater's population is 80.0% White, 3.1% Black, 10.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Whitewater, WI?
The median home value in Whitewater is $229,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Whitewater, Wisconsin?
35.3% of adults (25+) in Whitewater hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.