City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Racine, WI

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

77,155
Residents
$55,705
Median income
$158,100
Median home
$1,235
Median rent (state)

Racine - the verdict

Nationally, Racine sits in the 28th percentile for household income and the 46th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

28th
percentile, household income
29th
percentile, home value
40th
percentile, median rent
46th
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: Racine, WI

Racine is a small city in Wisconsin, home to 77,155 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Racine households earn a median of $55,705 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.4%. Typical homes in Racine are valued around $158,100, and the median resident age is 35.6 years. 21.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 10 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 150% from five years earlier. Racine reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1495.2 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 47.0°F with 37.0 inches of precipitation per year and 41.0 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Wisconsin scores 94.1 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,235 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Wisconsin run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 21.1 minutes, with 75.5% driving alone and 6.0% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 85.4 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

77,155 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$55,705 /yr

Poverty 13.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Racine compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 28% higher than other cities
Home value 29% pricier than other cities
Median rent 40% pricier than other cities
Safety 46% 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, Racine ranks #147 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

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

Wisconsin-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Racine toward the top of Wisconsin's cities

Among the 761 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Racine ranks #107 - the 86th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Racine only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#591 of 753
22nd percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#177 of 761
76th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#469 of 754
38th percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#107 of 761
86th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#379 of 761
50th 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.

28thIncome percentile
46thSafety percentile

28th percentile nationally for median household income · 46th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Racine's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Racine'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 47 Avg. percentile National median
Racine'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 Racine's home value compares nationally

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

$158,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 71% 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. Racine $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 - Racine, WI Racine, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Racine, 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 Racine, WI median $55,705/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%
Racine, 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 Racine, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.8%

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

Population
77,155
Median Income
$55,705
Median Home Value
$158,100
Median Age
35.6
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Labor force participation
59.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1495.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
383.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1112.2
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
47.0°F
Annual Precipitation
37.0"
Annual Snowfall
41.0"

Schools

Total Schools
26
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
77,000 residents77,500 residents78,000 residents78,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 78,167 residents 77,908 residents ▼ -0.3%
Racine's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
8
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 0
2021 0
2022 8
2023 308
2024 10

Permit volume increased 150% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.1 minutes
Drive Alone
75.5%
Carpool
12.1%
Public Transit
1.9%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
6.0%
Other
3.1%

Based on 34,553 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 Racine sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,235/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Appleton
74,873 people
Waukesha
70,779 people
Eau Claire
69,274 people
Oshkosh
66,247 people
Janesville
65,813 people
West Allis
59,588 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Racine's 77,155 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hammond, IN
77,098 people
Bethlehem, PA
77,069 people
Loveland, CO
77,350 people
Woodbury, MN
76,945 people
Bellflower, CA
77,396 people
Alameda, CA
76,876 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Racine's $55,705 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hurlock, MD
$55,705 median income
Robertsdale, AL
$55,707 median income
Ochelata, OK
$55,703 median income
Burnham, IL
$55,708 median income
Tiffin, OH
$55,700 median income
Woodstock, MN
$55,699 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Racine, 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 Racine, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 56.7% 20.4% 15.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 23.3% White 56.7% Black or African American 20.4% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.0% Two or more races 15.7% 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 Racine 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
Racine (this city) 77,155 $55,705
Appleton 74,873 $77,450
Waukesha 70,779 $81,651
Eau Claire 69,274 $65,369
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Racine, WI?

What is the population of Racine, WI? +

Racine, WI counts 77,155 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Racine runs $55,705, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Racine? +

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

Racine has a total crime rate of 1495.2 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 Racine, WI? +

A typical home in Racine is worth $158,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Racine? +

The average annual temperature in Racine runs 47.0°F, 37.0 inches of precipitation, and 41.0 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

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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.