City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Chippewa Falls, WI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chippewa Falls - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

14,643
Residents
$62,133
Median income
$194,800
Median home
$1,181
Median rent (state)

Chippewa Falls - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Chippewa Falls places in the 39th percentile for household income and the 69th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

39th
percentile, household income
41st
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
69th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chippewa Falls, WI

14,643 people live in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Chippewa Falls households earn a median of $62,133 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.1%. Home values in Chippewa Falls run a median of $194,800, and the median resident age is 38.6 years. Educational attainment runs 22.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 162 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 102% from five years earlier. Chippewa Falls reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 888.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Wisconsin at 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,181 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Chippewa Falls report an average commute of 15.6 minutes, with 76.5% driving alone and 11.1% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 67.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

14,643 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$62,133 /yr

Poverty 9.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Chippewa Falls compare to other US cities?

Where Chippewa Falls sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 41% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 69% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Wisconsin, Chippewa Falls ranks #96 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Chippewa Falls's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Wisconsin, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

39thIncome percentile
69thSafety percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income · 69th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chippewa Falls's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chippewa Falls's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 57 Avg. percentile National median
Chippewa Falls's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Chippewa Falls's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$194,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 59% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chippewa Falls $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chippewa Falls, WI Chippewa Falls, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chippewa Falls, WI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chippewa Falls, WI median $62,133/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chippewa Falls, WI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chippewa Falls, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
14,643
Median Income
$62,133
Median Home Value
$194,800
Median Age
38.6
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Labor force participation
59.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
888.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
218.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
670.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,400 residents14,600 residents14,800 residents15,000 residents15,200 residents15,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,727 residents 15,293 residents ▲ +3.8%
Chippewa Falls's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
162
housing units authorized
Single-Family
16
detached homes
Multifamily
146
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
11.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 80
2020 42
2021 63
2022 64
2023 143
2024 162

Permit volume increased 102% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.6 minutes
Drive Alone
76.5%
Carpool
8.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
11.1%
Other
2.3%

Based on 7,066 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Wisconsin - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Wisconsin state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Wisconsin state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chippewa Falls sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,181/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
67.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Greendale
14,656 people
Whitefish Bay
14,750 people
Salem Lakes
14,521 people
Verona
14,499 people
Waunakee
14,927 people
Hudson
15,004 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chippewa Falls's 14,643 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Gladeview, FL
14,657 people
Hutchinson, MN
14,629 people
Beacon, NY
14,629 people
Black Forest, CO
14,658 people
Owosso, MI
14,658 people
Thonotosassa, FL
14,660 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chippewa Falls's $62,133 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Red Hill, SC
$62,132 median income
Roaring Spring, PA
$62,129 median income
Dumas, TX
$62,129 median income
Taft Heights, CA
$62,125 median income
East Brooklyn, CT
$62,125 median income
Salix, IA
$62,143 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chippewa Falls, WI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chippewa Falls, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.9% White 90.0% Black or African American 3.0% Asian 1.3% American Indian 1.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 4.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chippewa Falls compares to nearby Wisconsin cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chippewa Falls (this city) 14,643 $62,133
Greendale 14,656 $95,015
Whitefish Bay 14,750 $154,255
Salem Lakes 14,521 $94,554
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chippewa Falls, WI?

What is the population of Chippewa Falls, WI? +

Chippewa Falls, WI counts 14,643 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chippewa Falls, WI? +

Chippewa Falls households earn a median of $62,133 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chippewa Falls? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chippewa Falls; the closest available measure is the Wisconsin state average, a cost of living index of 94.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Is Chippewa Falls, WI safe? +

Chippewa Falls has a total crime rate of 888.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Chippewa Falls, WI? +

A typical home in Chippewa Falls is worth $194,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.