City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Lake Mills, WI

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

6,391
Residents
$87,039
Median income
$282,400
Median home
$1,156
Median rent (state)

Lake Mills - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Lake Mills lands in the 68th percentile for household income and the 78th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

68th
percentile, household income
62nd
percentile, home value
33rd
percentile, median rent
78th
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: Lake Mills, WI

6,391 people live in Lake Mills, Wisconsin - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Lake Mills brings in $87,039 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.4%. Typical homes in Lake Mills are valued around $282,400, and the median resident age is 40.2 years. 45.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 72.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 16 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 47% from five years earlier. Lake Mills reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 668.6 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,156 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 75.8 out of 100 (High).

Population

6,391 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$87,039 /yr

Poverty 3.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Lake Mills compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 68% higher than other cities
Home value 62% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% pricier than other cities
Safety 78% 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, Lake Mills ranks #73 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 Lake Mills 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 is Lake Mills's strongest outlier among Wisconsin cities

Among the 761 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Lake Mills ranks #73 - the 90th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Lake Mills only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#165 of 753
78th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#307 of 761
57th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#133 of 754
82nd percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#485 of 761
35th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#73 of 761
90th 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.

68thIncome percentile
78thSafety percentile

68th percentile nationally for median household income · 78th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lake Mills's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lake Mills'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 66 Avg. percentile National median
Lake Mills'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 Lake Mills's home value compares nationally

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

$282,400 38th percentile more affordable than 38% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Lake Mills $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 - Lake Mills, WI Lake Mills, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lake Mills, 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 Lake Mills, WI median $87,039/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%
Lake Mills, 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 Lake Mills, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 45.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 72.2%

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

Population
6,391
Median Income
$87,039
Median Home Value
$282,400
Median Age
40.2
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Labor force participation
72.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
45.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
668.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
118.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
549.7
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,200 residents6,400 residents6,600 residents6,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,270 residents 6,655 residents ▲ +6.1%
Lake Mills's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
16
housing units authorized
Single-Family
16
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 30
2020 129
2021 33
2022 97
2023 13
2024 16

Permit volume decreased 47% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.1%
Carpool
1.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
14.3%

Based on 3,681 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 Lake Mills 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

Elm Grove
6,428 people
Twin Lakes
6,351 people
Waupaca
6,314 people
Slinger
6,173 people
Rib Mountain
6,134 people
Fox Point
6,746 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lake Mills's 6,391 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lindale, TX
6,389 people
Ranchettes, WY
6,389 people
Flanders, NY
6,388 people
Camino Tassajara, CA
6,395 people
Pimmit Hills, VA
6,395 people
Stratmoor, CO
6,396 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lake Mills's $87,039 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lake Holiday, IN
$87,031 median income
Oriole Beach, FL
$87,056 median income
Roessleville, NY
$87,022 median income
Williamstown, NJ
$87,021 median income
White Sands, NM
$87,059 median income
Twain Harte, CA
$87,018 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lake Mills, 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 Lake Mills, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.2% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.2% White 89.2% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 0.5% American Indian 1.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 6.3% 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 Lake Mills 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
Lake Mills (this city) 6,391 $87,039
Elm Grove 6,428 $133,304
Twin Lakes 6,351 $85,800
Waupaca 6,314 $52,586
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lake Mills, WI?

What is the population of Lake Mills, WI? +

Lake Mills, WI counts 6,391 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Lake Mills, WI? +

The median household income in Lake Mills is $87,039 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lake Mills? +

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

Lake Mills has a total crime rate of 668.6 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 Lake Mills, WI? +

A typical home in Lake Mills is worth $282,400, 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.