City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Lancaster, WI

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

3,916
Residents
$80,625
Median income
$173,300
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Lancaster - the verdict

Lancaster ranks in the 62nd percentile for household income and the 48th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

62nd
percentile, household income
35th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
48th
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: Lancaster, WI

Wisconsin's Lancaster is a small town, with 3,916 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Lancaster brings in $80,625 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.0%. Lancaster's housing stock carries a median value of $173,300, and the median resident age is 37.8 years. 27.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 71.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 20% from five years earlier. Lancaster reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1413.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 46.3°F with 38.5 inches of precipitation per year and 37.4 inches of snowfall.

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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $973 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 61.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

3,916 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$80,625 /yr

Poverty 1.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Lancaster compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 62% higher than other cities
Home value 35% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 48% 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, Lancaster ranks #141 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 Lancaster'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.

62ndIncome percentile
48thSafety percentile

62nd percentile nationally for median household income · 48th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lancaster's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lancaster'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 62 Avg. percentile National median
Lancaster'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 Lancaster's home value compares nationally

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

$173,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 65% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Lancaster $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 - Lancaster, WI Lancaster, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, WI median $80,625/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%
Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 71.5%

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

Population
3,916
Median Income
$80,625
Median Home Value
$173,300
Median Age
37.8
Poverty Rate
1.0%
Labor force participation
71.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1413.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
668.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
745.3
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
38.5"
Annual Snowfall
37.4"

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 →
3,900 residents3,950 residents4,000 residents4,050 residents4,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,934 residents 4,031 residents ▲ +2.5%
Lancaster's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 1
2021 3
2022 1
2023 9
2024 4

Permit volume decreased 20% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.0%
Carpool
5.5%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
4.8%
Other
5.8%

Based on 2,188 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 Lancaster sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
61.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Kiel
3,919 people
Raymond
3,928 people
Pulaski
3,892 people
North Hudson
3,848 people
Chilton
3,987 people
Marshall
3,806 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lancaster's 3,916 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Montpelier, OH
3,916 people
Centerville, MN
3,915 people
Emerald Isle, NC
3,915 people
Citronelle, AL
3,918 people
Dupo, IL
3,914 people
Brown Station, MD
3,918 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lancaster's $80,625 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hayden, AL
$80,625 median income
Yakutat, AK
$80,625 median income
Bostwick, GA
$80,625 median income
Wheatfield, IN
$80,625 median income
Interlochen, MI
$80,625 median income
Rensselaer, MO
$80,625 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 96.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.5% White 96.0% Black or African American 0.4% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 2.8% 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 Lancaster 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
Lancaster (this city) 3,916 $80,625
Kiel 3,919 $73,914
Raymond 3,928 $106,696
Pulaski 3,892 $66,399
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lancaster, WI?

What is the population of Lancaster, WI? +

Lancaster, WI counts 3,916 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Lancaster runs $80,625, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lancaster? +

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

Lancaster has a total crime rate of 1413.5 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 Lancaster, WI? +

Homes in Lancaster carry a median value of $173,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lancaster? +

Climate normals put Lancaster's yearly average temperature at 46.3°F, 38.5 inches of precipitation, and 37.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.