City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Fort Atkinson, WI

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

12,490
Residents
$75,350
Median income
$198,600
Median home
$1,156
Median rent (state)

Fort Atkinson - the verdict

Nationally, Fort Atkinson sits in the 57th percentile for household income and the 64th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

57th
percentile, household income
42nd
percentile, home value
33rd
percentile, median rent
64th
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: Fort Atkinson, WI

Wisconsin's Fort Atkinson is a small town, with 12,490 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Fort Atkinson households earn a median of $75,350 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.9%. Fort Atkinson's housing stock carries a median value of $198,600, and the median resident age is 41.5 years. About 26.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 67.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 7 residential building permits were authorized in Fort Atkinson (Construction Slowdown), down 36% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Fort Atkinson reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 994.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: the state registers 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,156 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Wisconsin run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 18.4 minutes, with 78.4% driving alone and 8.4% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 75.8 out of 100 (High).

Population

12,490 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$75,350 /yr

Poverty 4.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Fort Atkinson compare to other US cities?

Here's how Fort Atkinson stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 57% higher than other cities
Home value 42% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% pricier than other cities
Safety 64% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Wisconsin alone, Fort Atkinson ranks #105 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Fort Atkinson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Wisconsin only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Wisconsin-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of Wisconsin's city distribution

Among the 761 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Fort Atkinson ranks #283 - the 63rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Fort Atkinson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#286 of 753
62nd percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#307 of 761
57th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#304 of 754
59th percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#402 of 761
46th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#283 of 761
63rd percentile in Wisconsin

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Wisconsin only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

57thIncome percentile
64thSafety percentile

57th percentile nationally for median household income · 64th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fort Atkinson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fort Atkinson'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 61 Avg. percentile National median
Fort Atkinson'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 Fort Atkinson's home value compares nationally

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

$198,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 58% 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. Fort Atkinson $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 - Fort Atkinson, WI Fort Atkinson, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fort Atkinson, 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 Fort Atkinson, WI median $75,350/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%
Fort Atkinson, 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 Fort Atkinson, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.2%

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

Population
12,490
Median Income
$75,350
Median Home Value
$198,600
Median Age
41.5
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Labor force participation
67.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
994.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
236.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
757.7
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
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,300 residents12,400 residents12,500 residents12,600 residents12,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,593 residents 12,388 residents ▼ -1.6%
Fort Atkinson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 11
2020 19
2021 6
2022 7
2023 8
2024 7

Permit volume decreased 36% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.4 minutes
Drive Alone
78.4%
Carpool
6.5%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
2.5%
Work from Home
8.4%
Other
3.6%

Based on 6,931 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 Fort Atkinson sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,156/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
75.8 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Baraboo
12,506 people
Port Washington
12,569 people
Brown Deer
12,615 people
Cedarburg
12,317 people
Grafton
12,274 people
Greenville
12,911 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fort Atkinson's 12,490 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cascades, VA
12,489 people
Gold Canyon, AZ
12,488 people
Big Bear, CA
12,493 people
Annapolis Neck, MD
12,484 people
Grenada, MS
12,484 people
Lake Norman of Iredell, NC
12,496 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fort Atkinson's $75,350 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Central Heights-Midland, AZ
$75,347 median income
Winchester, CA
$75,353 median income
Palm Harbor, FL
$75,354 median income
Newman, CA
$75,344 median income
Millersburg, IA
$75,357 median income
Wilcox, NE
$75,357 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fort Atkinson, 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 Fort Atkinson, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.8% 7.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.4% White 87.8% Black or African American 0.3% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 7.4% Two or more races 3.6% 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 Fort Atkinson 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
Fort Atkinson (this city) 12,490 $75,350
Baraboo 12,506 $73,515
Port Washington 12,569 $81,582
Brown Deer 12,615 $91,567
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fort Atkinson, WI?

What is the population of Fort Atkinson, WI? +

Fort Atkinson, WI counts 12,490 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fort Atkinson, WI? +

Fort Atkinson households earn a median of $75,350 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fort Atkinson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fort Atkinson; 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 Fort Atkinson, WI safe? +

Fort Atkinson has a total crime rate of 994.0 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 Fort Atkinson, WI? +

Homes in Fort Atkinson carry a median value of $198,600, 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

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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.