City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Wales, WI

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

2,915
Residents
$110,804
Median income
$383,600
Median home
$1,338
Median rent (state)

Wales - the verdict

Nationally, Wales sits in the 83rd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

83rd
percentile, household income
76th
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Wales, WI

Wisconsin's Wales is a small town, with 2,915 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Wales households earn a median of $110,804 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.9%. Typical homes in Wales are valued around $383,600, and the median resident age is 41.9 years. About 50.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 61.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Wales (Construction Slowdown), down 67% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

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 $1,338 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Wales workers runs 19.3 minutes, with 75.2% driving alone and 16.9% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 88.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

2,915 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$110,804 /yr

Poverty 0.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Wales compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 83% higher than other cities
Home value 76% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

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 Wales'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.

83rdIncome percentile

83rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Wales's home value compares nationally

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

$383,600 24th percentile more affordable than 24% 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%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Wales $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 - Wales, WI Wales, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wales, 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 Wales, WI median $110,804/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%
Wales, 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 Wales, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 50.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.8%

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

Population
2,915
Median Income
$110,804
Median Home Value
$383,600
Median Age
41.9
Poverty Rate
0.9%
Labor force participation
61.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
50.0%

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,840 residents2,860 residents2,880 residents2,900 residents2,920 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,862 residents 2,885 residents ▲ +0.8%
Wales's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2022 6
2023 1
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 67% from 2022 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.3 minutes
Drive Alone
75.2%
Carpool
5.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
16.9%
Other
1.3%

Based on 1,458 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 Wales sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,338/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Amery
2,959 people
Paddock Lake
2,965 people
Genoa City
2,967 people
Williams Bay
2,967 people
Oconto Falls
2,979 people
Mondovi
2,843 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wales's 2,915 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Florida, NY
2,915 people
Taylor, AL
2,916 people
North Fork, CA
2,914 people
Ocean Grove, NJ
2,916 people
Delphi, IN
2,913 people
Heritage Lake, IN
2,913 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wales's $110,804 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Monroe, NY
$110,806 median income
Gunter, TX
$110,795 median income
Prairie Ridge, WA
$110,795 median income
Mount Zion, IL
$110,786 median income
Ashford, WA
$110,785 median income
McGovern, PA
$110,778 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wales, 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 Wales, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.2% White 95.1% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 2.9% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 1.4% 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 Wales 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
Wales (this city) 2,915 $110,804
Amery 2,959 $71,290
Paddock Lake 2,965 $88,438
Genoa City 2,967 $88,958
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wales, WI?

What is the population of Wales, WI? +

The population of Wales, WI stands at 2,915 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Wales, the typical household earns $110,804 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wales? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Wales; 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.

What is the median home value in Wales, WI? +

A typical home in Wales is worth $383,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.