Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin had a total population of 18,722, the 45th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $55,253, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Wisconsin Rapids Quick Facts
How Wisconsin Rapids 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 | 18,756 | 18,722 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $54,116 | $55,253 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $116,600 | $131,900 | +13.1% |
How Wisconsin Rapids 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+)
Wisconsin Rapids Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Wood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Wazeecha | 2,850 | $93,346 | 11.5% | $218,800 |
| Nekoosa | 2,420 | $46,458 | 16.6% | $116,900 |
| Port Edwards | 1,881 | $75,598 | 12.6% | $158,600 |
| Auburndale | 837 | $83,133 | 9.6% | $212,700 |
| Pittsville | 823 | $62,162 | 10.2% | $125,000 |
| Biron | 822 | $66,250 | 11.5% | $154,400 |
| Hewitt | 775 | $92,109 | 2.3% | $260,100 |
| Vesper | 496 | $61,149 | 8.0% | $120,700 |
| Rudolph | 466 | $59,375 | 14.6% | $180,900 |
| Milladore | 419 | $89,107 | 10.5% | $158,500 |
Cities Similar to Wisconsin Rapids
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | 18,700 | $58,407 | $177,800 | 25.6% | 11.6% |
| Menasha | 18,273 | $64,698 | $191,800 | 25.8% | 12.0% |
| Menomonie | 16,539 | $56,889 | $220,800 | 38.7% | 17.7% |
| Cudahy | 17,853 | $66,719 | $216,500 | 29.1% | 11.4% |
| Whitewater | 15,807 | $54,969 | $229,400 | 35.3% | 26.8% |
Population Overview
Wisconsin Rapids is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Wood County. The total population is 18,722. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wisconsin Rapids is 38.3 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. 10.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wisconsin Rapids is $55,253. 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 14.8%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 102% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $131,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Wisconsin Rapids is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wisconsin Rapids has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 94.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin has a population of 18,722 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?
The median household income in Wisconsin Rapids is $55,253, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?
The poverty rate in Wisconsin Rapids is 14.8%. This means approximately 2,729 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Rapids's population is 89.3% White, 0.9% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?
The median home value in Wisconsin Rapids is $131,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Wisconsin Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.