City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Rhinelander, WI

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

8,248
Residents
$53,561
Median income
$123,300
Median home
$1,013
Median rent (state)

Rhinelander - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Rhinelander lands in the 25th percentile for household income and the 36th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

25th
percentile, household income
19th
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
36th
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: Rhinelander, WI

Wisconsin's Rhinelander is a small town, with 8,248 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Rhinelander brings in $53,561 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.1%. Typical homes in Rhinelander are valued around $123,300, and the median resident age is 38.9 years. About 21.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 57.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 6 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier. Rhinelander reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1815.5 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Rhinelander's yearly average temperature at 40.0°F with 34.4 inches of precipitation per year and 62.2 inches of snowfall.

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 $1,013 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Rhinelander report an average commute of 13.7 minutes, with 77.9% driving alone and 4.3% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 62.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

8,248 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$53,561 /yr

Poverty 6.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Rhinelander compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 19% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities
Safety 36% 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, Rhinelander ranks #165 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 Rhinelander'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.

25thIncome percentile
36thSafety percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income · 36th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rhinelander's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rhinelander'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
Rhinelander'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 Rhinelander's home value compares nationally

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

$123,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 81% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Rhinelander $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 - Rhinelander, WI Rhinelander, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rhinelander, 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 Rhinelander, WI median $53,561/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%
Rhinelander, 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 Rhinelander, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.2%

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

Population
8,248
Median Income
$53,561
Median Home Value
$123,300
Median Age
38.9
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Labor force participation
57.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1815.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
98.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1717.4
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
40.0°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
Annual Snowfall
62.2"

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,200 residents8,250 residents8,300 residents8,350 residents8,400 residents8,450 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,287 residents 8,242 residents ▼ -0.5%
Rhinelander's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
6
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 0
2021 19
2022 2
2023 24
2024 6

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.7 minutes
Drive Alone
77.9%
Carpool
9.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.3%
Work from Home
4.3%
Other
2.7%

Based on 3,783 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 Rhinelander sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,013/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
62.5 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Somers
8,245 people
Sheboygan Falls
8,190 people
Mukwonago
8,411 people
Kronenwetter
8,420 people
Antigo
8,058 people
Lake Geneva
8,443 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rhinelander's 8,248 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Prien, LA
8,248 people
Denison, IA
8,247 people
Oak Hills, CA
8,246 people
Orange Beach, AL
8,244 people
Orland, CA
8,252 people
Seaford, DE
8,255 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rhinelander's $53,561 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Avera, GA
$53,558 median income
Merigold, MS
$53,558 median income
Sterling, OH
$53,558 median income
Eagle Butte, SD
$53,558 median income
Hallettsville, TX
$53,567 median income
Milton, PA
$53,552 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rhinelander, 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 Rhinelander, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.2% White 94.0% Black or African American 1.5% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 3.0% 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 Rhinelander 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
Rhinelander (this city) 8,248 $53,561
Somers 8,245 $78,068
Sheboygan Falls 8,190 $68,264
Mukwonago 8,411 $96,096
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rhinelander, WI?

What is the population of Rhinelander, WI? +

Rhinelander, WI has a population of 8,248 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Rhinelander is $53,561 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rhinelander? +

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

Rhinelander has a total crime rate of 1815.5 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 Rhinelander, WI? +

A typical home in Rhinelander is worth $123,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Rhinelander? +

Rhinelander has an average annual temperature of 40.0°F, 34.4 inches of precipitation, and 62.2 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

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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.