City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Waupaca, WI

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

6,314
Residents
$52,586
Median income
$177,600
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Waupaca - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Waupaca places in the 24th percentile for household income and the 39th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
36th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
39th
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: Waupaca, WI

Waupaca is a small town in Wisconsin, home to 6,314 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $52,586 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.9%. Home values in Waupaca run a median of $177,600, and the median resident age is 42.5 years. 24.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 84 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 425% from five years earlier. Waupaca reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1731.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 44.8°F with 33.8 inches of precipitation per year and 49.3 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 $973 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Wisconsin run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 67.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

6,314 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$52,586 /yr

Poverty 3.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Waupaca compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 36% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 39% 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, Waupaca ranks #160 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 Waupaca against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Wisconsin only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Wisconsin-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Waupaca near the bottom of Wisconsin's cities

Among the 761 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Waupaca ranks #499 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Waupaca only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#630 of 753
16th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#499 of 761
0th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#377 of 754
50th percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#453 of 761
40th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#311 of 761
59th 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.

24thIncome percentile
39thSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 39th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Waupaca's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Waupaca'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 46 Avg. percentile National median
Waupaca'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 Waupaca's home value compares nationally

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

$177,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Waupaca $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 - Waupaca, WI Waupaca, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waupaca, 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 Waupaca, WI median $52,586/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%
Waupaca, 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 Waupaca, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.3%

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

Population
6,314
Median Income
$52,586
Median Home Value
$177,600
Median Age
42.5
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Labor force participation
50.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1731.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
362.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1369.6
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
44.8°F
Annual Precipitation
33.8"
Annual Snowfall
49.3"

Schools

Total Schools
5
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 residents6,250 residents6,300 residents6,350 residents6,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,319 residents 6,352 residents ▲ +0.5%
Waupaca's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
84
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
75
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
13.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2022 16
2023 9
2024 84

Permit volume increased 425% from 2022 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.0%
Carpool
5.3%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
11.1%
Other
2.5%

Based on 2,541 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 Waupaca 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
67.6 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Twin Lakes
6,351 people
Lake Mills
6,391 people
Elm Grove
6,428 people
Slinger
6,173 people
Rib Mountain
6,134 people
Edgerton
5,924 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waupaca's 6,314 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bethel, AK
6,313 people
Rossford, OH
6,315 people
Orange City, IA
6,312 people
Hilmar-Irwin, CA
6,317 people
Hampstead, MD
6,311 people
Lyman, SC
6,317 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waupaca's $52,586 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Kenton, DE
$52,589 median income
Rocky Point, NC
$52,591 median income
Benton City, WA
$52,581 median income
Branch, LA
$52,593 median income
Tahoka, TX
$52,576 median income
Beacon Square, FL
$52,598 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waupaca, 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 Waupaca, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.3% White 91.6% Black or African American 1.2% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 4.5% 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 Waupaca 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
Waupaca (this city) 6,314 $52,586
Twin Lakes 6,351 $85,800
Lake Mills 6,391 $87,039
Elm Grove 6,428 $133,304
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waupaca, WI?

What is the population of Waupaca, WI? +

6,314 people live in Waupaca, WI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Waupaca is $52,586 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waupaca? +

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

Waupaca has a total crime rate of 1731.7 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 Waupaca, WI? +

Homes in Waupaca carry a median value of $177,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Waupaca? +

Climate normals put Waupaca's yearly average temperature at 44.8°F, 33.8 inches of precipitation, and 49.3 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.