City · Wisconsin
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire, city, mostly in Eau Claire County (96.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. Eau Claire had 72,465 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 69,421 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 70,322 (±382). GEOID 5522300.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
72,465
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 69,421 · ACS 2020-2024: 70,322 ±382
Median household income
$67,395
±$3,463 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$247,600
±$7,151 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$1,045
±$39 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
Where is Eau Claire and what county is it in?
Eau Claire is a city mostly in Eau Claire County (96.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. It covers 34.3 square miles of land, 2,022 residents per square mile in 2020.
Eau Claire is in the Eau Claire, WI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire County | 67,238 | 96.9% |
| Chippewa County | 2,183 | 3.1% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Eau Claire, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 72,465 people lived in Eau Claire on July 1, 2025, up 4.4% since 2020, faster than Wisconsin (+1.3%). The 2020 Census counted 69,421 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 70,322 (±382).
| Measure | Eau Claire | Eau Claire County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 70,322 ±382 | 107,116 | +2,135 |
| Households | 30,492 ±554 | 44,726 | +3,052 |
| Average household size | 2.18 ±0.04 | 2.30 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 31,712 ±426 | 46,936 | +2,704 |
Eau Claire's population since 2000
From 61,704 in 2000 to 72,465 in 2025: up 17.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Eau Claire as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
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 Eau Claire?
The median resident of Eau Claire is 32.9 years old; 17.7% are under 18 and 16.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.5%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 5.4%. 3.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Eau Claire | Eau Claire County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.9 ±0.6 | 35.8 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 17.7% ±0.7 pts | 19.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.3% ±0.8 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Male | 48.2% ±0.7 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% ±0.6 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.5% ±1.0 pts | 87.2% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±0.4 pts | 1.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.4% ±0.7 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9% ±0.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.8% ±0.7 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.0% ±1.0 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4% ±0.8 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 13.3% ±1.3 pts | 13.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8% ±0.9 pts | 6.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.3% ±0.6 pts | 95.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.7% ±1.8 pts | 36.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.1% ±1.1 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 78.0% ±1.5 pts | 82.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.6% ±0.6 pts | 2.8% | – |
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 Eau Claire earn?
Half of Eau Claire's 30,492 households earn less than $67,395 a year (±$3,463), against $74,546 in Eau Claire County and $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $68,275 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Eau Claire | Eau Claire County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,395 ±$3,463 | $74,546 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,410 ±$4,481 | $100,242 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,434 ±$1,817 | $42,733 | +$3,434 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.3% ±1.5 pts | 11.8% | −2.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.0% ±3.6 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.0% ±1.8 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.4% ±1.4 pts | 94.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.0% ±1.5 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Eau Claire?
Owners occupy 54.4% of Eau Claire's occupied homes and renters 45.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $247,600 by its owner (±$7,151). The median renter pays $1,045 a month including utilities, and 32.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Eau Claire | Eau Claire County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $247,600 ±$7,151 | $261,000 | +$56,842 |
| Median gross rent | $1,045 ±$39 | $1,064 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.5% ±3.7 pts | 31.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,556 ±$49 | $1,625 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.4% ±2.4 pts | 61.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 45.6% ±2.4 pts | 39.0% | – |
| Housing units | 31,712 ±426 | 46,936 | +2,704 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8% ±1.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.0% ±1.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 54.8% ±2.2 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.1% ±0.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5% ±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.6% ±1.2 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.5% ±1.6 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.7% ±1.6 pts | 6.4% | – |
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 many new homes is Eau Claire building?
Builders took permits for 476 new housing units in Eau Claire in 2025 (33 in single-family houses), 6.6 per 1,000 residents against 4.3 across Wisconsin.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Eau Claire work and get to work?
75.7% of Eau Claire's workers drive alone and 12.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Eau Claire | Eau Claire County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.9% ±1.2 pts | 69.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% ±0.7 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.7% ±1.8 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.3% ±1.1 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.4% ±0.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 3.1% ±0.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.4% ±1.2 pts | 12.7% | +7.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.7 min ±0.9 | 17.9 min | no clear change |
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 Eau Claire?
15 census tracts lie mostly in Eau Claire, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $38,071 (Tract 12) to $100,099 (Tract 5.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 17Eau Claire County | 5,658 | $59,132 |
| Tract 12Eau Claire County | 5,333 | $38,071 |
| Tract 7Eau Claire County | 5,239 | $72,102 |
| Tract 6Eau Claire County | 4,817 | $55,402 |
| Tract 8.03Eau Claire County | 6,412 | $59,781 |
| Tract 5.01Eau Claire County | 4,173 | $91,923 |
| Tract 5.02Eau Claire County | 4,898 | $100,099 |
| Tract 14.01Eau Claire County | 3,993 | $76,354 |
| Tract 9Eau Claire County | 5,338 | $59,117 |
| Tract 8.01Eau Claire County | 3,796 | $100,045 |
| Tract 13Eau Claire County | 5,628 | $85,343 |
| Tract 14.02Eau Claire County | 3,716 | $66,212 |
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 Eau Claire) · Census block assignment files
How does Eau Claire compare with other places in Wisconsin?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Eau Claire is the 536th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 7th-most populous of 608 in Wisconsin.
Eau Claire ranks 729th of 914 places in Wisconsin with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 7th | 608 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 121st | 884 |
| Residents per square mile | 60th | 914 |
| Median household income | 729th | 914 |
| Per capita income | 608th | 911 |
| Median home value | 560th | 913 |
| Median gross rent | 366th | 825 |
| Poverty rate | 116th | 706 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 207th | 914 |
| Median age | 883rd | 914 |
| Owner-occupied share | 875th | 914 |
| Work from home | 366th | 827 |
| Travel time to work | 868th | 914 |
Eau Claire's figures with every place in Wisconsin (CSV)
Every place in Wisconsin, sortable · Compare Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire?
3 of the 57 figures for Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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' public schools in Eau Claire.