City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Jefferson, WI

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

7,722
Residents
$77,095
Median income
$222,100
Median home
$1,156
Median rent (state)

Jefferson - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Jefferson lands in the 58th percentile for household income and the 42nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

58th
percentile, household income
49th
percentile, home value
33rd
percentile, median rent
42nd
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: Jefferson, WI

7,722 people live in Jefferson, Wisconsin - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Jefferson brings in $77,095 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.3%. Typical homes in Jefferson are valued around $222,100, and the median resident age is 43.7 years. About 22.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 25 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 42% from five years earlier. Jefferson reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1619.7 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: the state registers 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,156 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Wisconsin run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 75.8 out of 100 (High).

Population

7,722 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$77,095 /yr

Poverty 6.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Jefferson compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 49% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% pricier than other cities
Safety 42% 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, Jefferson ranks #154 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

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 Jefferson'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.

58thIncome percentile
42ndSafety percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income · 42nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Jefferson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Jefferson'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 53 Avg. percentile National median
Jefferson'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 Jefferson's home value compares nationally

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

$222,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 51% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Jefferson $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 - Jefferson, WI Jefferson, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, WI median $77,095/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%
Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.8%

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

Population
7,722
Median Income
$77,095
Median Home Value
$222,100
Median Age
43.7
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor force participation
62.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1619.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
250.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1369.5
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,650 residents7,700 residents7,750 residents7,800 residents7,850 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,783 residents 7,814 residents ▲ +0.4%
Jefferson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
25
housing units authorized
Single-Family
21
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 43
2020 6
2021 9
2022 22
2023 27
2024 25

Permit volume decreased 42% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.4%
Carpool
10.4%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
2.5%
Work from Home
5.4%

Based on 3,942 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 Jefferson 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

Mount Horeb
7,719 people
Ripon
7,803 people
Hales Corners
7,627 people
Jackson
7,882 people
Ashland
7,884 people
Cottage Grove
7,906 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Jefferson's 7,722 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Acton, CA
7,721 people
Park City, KS
7,726 people
Ripley, TN
7,718 people
Kill Devil Hills, NC
7,727 people
Earlimart, CA
7,716 people
Sky Lake, FL
7,728 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Jefferson's $77,095 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Brockton, MA
$77,089 median income
Desoto Acres, FL
$77,102 median income
Clayville, NY
$77,083 median income
Spring Lake Park, MN
$77,112 median income
Bevil Oaks, TX
$77,073 median income
Birch Bay, WA
$77,120 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.3% 9.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.9% White 82.3% Black or African American 1.8% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 9.7% Two or more races 5.9% 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 Jefferson 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
Jefferson (this city) 7,722 $77,095
Mount Horeb 7,719 $100,956
Ripon 7,803 $59,063
Hales Corners 7,627 $88,068
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Jefferson, WI?

What is the population of Jefferson, WI? +

Jefferson, WI counts 7,722 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Jefferson, WI? +

The median household income in Jefferson is $77,095 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Jefferson? +

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

Jefferson has a total crime rate of 1619.7 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 Jefferson, WI? +

Jefferson's median home value sits at $222,100, 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.