Wisconsin Rapids city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wisconsin Rapids city, Wisconsin has a total population of 18,756, the 44th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $54,116, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Wisconsin Rapids city Quick Facts
How Wisconsin Rapids 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+)
Wisconsin Rapids city Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Wood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield city | 18,718 | $59,294 | 11.0% | $169,900 |
| Nekoosa city | 2,439 | $43,026 | 18.6% | $112,900 |
| Port Edwards village | 1,776 | $73,625 | 14.0% | $140,900 |
| Pittsville city | 829 | $59,773 | 11.1% | $117,300 |
| Auburndale village | 807 | $80,407 | 4.6% | $217,700 |
| Hewitt village | 791 | $89,013 | 3.3% | $207,100 |
| Biron village | 694 | $58,000 | 12.4% | $154,000 |
| Rudolph village | 493 | $61,250 | 16.4% | $165,500 |
| Vesper village | 482 | $58,448 | 5.7% | $116,500 |
| Milladore village | 426 | $86,420 | 11.7% | $157,400 |
Cities Similar to Wisconsin Rapids city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield city | 18,718 | $59,294 | $169,900 | 26.0% | 11.0% |
| Menasha city | 18,130 | $64,392 | $169,200 | 24.4% | 13.7% |
| Menomonie city | 16,548 | $54,587 | $203,800 | 38.1% | 18.4% |
| Cudahy city | 17,964 | $66,717 | $201,000 | 27.1% | 11.9% |
| Fox Crossing village | 18,960 | $74,423 | $228,000 | 34.2% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Wisconsin Rapids city is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Wood County. The total population is 18,756. It ranks as the 44th most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wisconsin Rapids city is 38.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wisconsin Rapids city is $54,116. This is 28% lower than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 31% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 118% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $116,600. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $247,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Wisconsin Rapids city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wisconsin Rapids city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.2%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 6.0%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids city, Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Rapids city, Wisconsin has a population of 18,756 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wisconsin Rapids city, WI?
The median household income in Wisconsin Rapids city is $54,116, which is 31% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wisconsin Rapids city, WI?
The poverty rate in Wisconsin Rapids city is 14.4%. This means approximately 2,665 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wisconsin Rapids city, Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Rapids city's population is 87.3% White, 1.3% Black, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wisconsin Rapids city, WI?
The median home value in Wisconsin Rapids city is $116,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Wisconsin Rapids city, Wisconsin?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Wisconsin Rapids city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.