Census-designated place · Wisconsin
Chain O' Lakes, Wisconsin
Chain O' Lakes, census-designated place, in Waupaca County, Wisconsin. Chain O' Lakes had 1,124 residents in the 2020 Census, a full count; the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 908 (±201). GEOID 5513880.
Residents, 2020 Census
1,124
Census count or controlled total
ACS 2020-2024 estimate: 908 ±201
Median household income
$83,194
±$47,462 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$640,000
±$132,403 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$768
±$124 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
Where is Chain O' Lakes and what county is it in?
Chain O' Lakes is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Waupaca County, Wisconsin. It covers 3.4 square miles of land, 328 residents per square mile in 2020.
Chain O' Lakes lies mostly within the Town of Dayton (Waupaca County) and reaches into the Town of Farmington (Waupaca County), towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Chain O' Lakes, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 1,124 residents in Chain O' Lakes, a full count rather than a sample. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a sample, estimates 908 (±201).
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Chain O' Lakes is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Chain O' Lakes | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 908 ±201 | 51,569 | no clear change |
| Households | 509 ±117 | 22,571 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 1.78 ±0.21 | 2.23 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,052 ±169 | 25,791 | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Chain O' Lakes?
The median resident of Chain O' Lakes is 64.0 years old. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of some other race at 2.0%.
| Measure | Chain O' Lakes | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 64.0 ±3.5 | 45.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 7.3% ±4.9 pts | 20.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 41.3% ±11.2 pts | 21.3% | – |
| Male | 50.2% ±6.0 pts | 51.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1% ±1.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.9% ±3.3 pts | 92.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.4 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±3.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3% ±1.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.7% ±2.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.8% ±8.6 pts | 7.6% | – |
| With a disability | 6.2% ±3.9 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.8% ±7.7 pts | 5.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 99.4% ±1.0 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 69.6% ±8.6 pts | 20.5% | +16.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.2% ±7.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.5% ±4.7 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9% ±1.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Chain O' Lakes earn?
Half of Chain O' Lakes's 509 households earn less than $83,194 a year (±$47,462), against $72,830 in Waupaca County and $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $81,072 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chain O' Lakes | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,194 ±$47,462 | $72,830 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $182,369 ±$59,031 | $93,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $100,628 ±$28,260 | $41,606 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 3.7% ±2.4 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0% ±28.2 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5% ±6.4 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.2% ±1.9 pts | 92.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.1% ±3.9 pts | 86.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Chain O' Lakes?
Owners occupy 86.1% of Chain O' Lakes's occupied homes and renters 13.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $640,000 by its owner (±$132,403). The median renter pays $768 a month including utilities, and 84.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chain O' Lakes | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $640,000 ±$132,403 | $211,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $768 ±$124 | $852 | −$231 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 84.4% ±26.4 pts | 35.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,132 ±$370 | $1,449 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 86.1% ±12.0 pts | 75.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 13.9% ±12.0 pts | 24.7% | – |
| Housing units | 1,052 ±169 | 25,791 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±5.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±26.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 93.6% ±6.4 pts | 77.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.2% ±2.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3% ±1.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.9% ±1.9 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.9% ±6.3 pts | 22.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.3% ±5.7 pts | 5.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Chain O' Lakes work and get to work?
87.0% of Chain O' Lakes's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 15.5 minutes.
| Measure | Chain O' Lakes | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 41.9% ±11.1 pts | 61.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.5% ±5.3 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 87.0% ±10.2 pts | 81.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.1% ±7.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±6.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 2.4% ±4.0 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.4% ±4.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.5 min ±4.4 | 24.9 min | −19.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Chain O' Lakes?
No census tract lies mostly in Chain O' Lakes; 2 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1006Waupaca County | 4,805 | $82,733 |
| Tract 1005Waupaca County | 3,097 | $66,688 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Chain O' Lakes) · Census block assignment files
How does Chain O' Lakes compare with other places in Wisconsin?
Chain O' Lakes ranks 508th of 914 places in Wisconsin with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 898th | 914 |
| Residents per square mile | 382nd | 914 |
| Median household income | 508th | 914 |
| Per capita income | 4th | 911 |
| Median home value | 5th | 913 |
| Median gross rent | 731st | 825 |
| Poverty rate | 609th | 706 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11th | 914 |
| Median age | 4th | 914 |
| Owner-occupied share | 457th | 914 |
| Travel time to work | 888th | 914 |
Chain O' Lakes's figures with every place in Wisconsin (CSV)
Every place in Wisconsin, sortable · Compare Chain O' Lakes with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Chain O' Lakes?
26 of the 57 figures for Chain O' Lakes on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Chain O' Lakes are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.