City · Wisconsin
Waupaca, Wisconsin
Waupaca, city, in Waupaca County, Wisconsin. Waupaca had 6,352 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,282 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,283 (±25). GEOID 5584375.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,352
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,282 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,283 ±25
Median household income
$52,727
±$7,606 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$175,600
±$25,038 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$783
±$90 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
Where is Waupaca and what county is it in?
Waupaca is a city in Waupaca County, Wisconsin. It covers 7.9 square miles of land, 793 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Waupaca, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,352 people lived in Waupaca on July 1, 2025, up 0.8% since 2020, in line with Wisconsin (+1.3%). The 2020 Census counted 6,282 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,283 (±25).
| Measure | Waupaca | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,283 ±25 | 51,569 | +331 |
| Households | 2,846 ±189 | 22,571 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.07 ±0.13 | 2.23 | +0.19 |
| Housing units | 3,029 ±204 | 25,791 | no clear change |
Waupaca's population since 2000
From 5,676 in 2000 to 6,352 in 2025: up 11.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Waupaca as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Waupaca?
The median resident of Waupaca is 42.1 years old; 21.6% are under 18 and 23.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.7%.
| Measure | Waupaca | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1 ±4.8 | 45.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.6% ±2.5 pts | 20.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.3% ±3.9 pts | 21.3% | – |
| Male | 51.9% ±3.1 pts | 51.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7% ±2.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.2% ±2.5 pts | 92.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 0.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±1.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.9% ±1.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.9% ±3.5 pts | 7.6% | – |
| With a disability | 16.9% ±4.3 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.5% ±2.6 pts | 5.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.3% ±2.4 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.9% ±5.9 pts | 20.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.8% ±2.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.2% ±4.2 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Waupaca earn?
Half of Waupaca's 2,846 households earn less than $52,727 a year (±$7,606), against $72,830 in Waupaca County and $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $64,722 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Waupaca | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,727 ±$7,606 | $72,830 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,523 ±$7,759 | $93,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,114 ±$3,499 | $41,606 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.5% ±3.9 pts | 10.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.5% ±8.3 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.4% ±4.6 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.2% ±4.5 pts | 92.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.7% ±4.5 pts | 86.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Waupaca?
Owners occupy 61.3% of Waupaca's occupied homes and renters 38.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $175,600 by its owner (±$25,038). The median renter pays $783 a month including utilities, and 26.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Waupaca | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $175,600 ±$25,038 | $211,400 | +$46,500 |
| Median gross rent | $783 ±$90 | $852 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.8% ±9.0 pts | 35.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,383 ±$261 | $1,449 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.3% ±7.7 pts | 75.3% | +10.8 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 38.7% ±7.7 pts | 24.7% | – |
| Housing units | 3,029 ±204 | 25,791 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.6% ±1.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 57.5% ±8.0 pts | 77.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.6% ±3.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.7% ±3.0 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.0% ±5.7 pts | 22.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.3% ±5.0 pts | 5.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Waupaca building?
Builders took permits for 54 new housing units in Waupaca in 2025 (11 in single-family houses), 8.5 per 1,000 residents against 4.3 across Wisconsin.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Waupaca work and get to work?
80.4% of Waupaca's workers drive alone and 9.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.6%.
| Measure | Waupaca | Waupaca County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.6% ±5.2 pts | 61.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% ±3.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 80.4% ±6.9 pts | 81.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.4% ±4.0 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.9% ±1.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.7% ±5.1 pts | 7.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.8 min ±7.6 | 24.9 min | +11.1 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Waupaca?
1 census tract lies mostly in Waupaca, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1010Waupaca County | 5,706 | $60,509 |
| Tract 1007Waupaca County | 3,699 | $70,750 |
| Tract 1006Waupaca County | 4,805 | $82,733 |
| Tract 1005Waupaca County | 3,097 | $66,688 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Waupaca) · Census block assignment files
How does Waupaca compare with other places in Wisconsin?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Waupaca is the 4,296th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 140th-most populous of 608 in Wisconsin.
Waupaca ranks 880th of 914 places in Wisconsin with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 140th | 608 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 421st | 884 |
| Residents per square mile | 277th | 914 |
| Median household income | 880th | 914 |
| Per capita income | 781st | 911 |
| Median home value | 796th | 913 |
| Median gross rent | 719th | 825 |
| Poverty rate | 183rd | 706 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 558th | 914 |
| Median age | 572nd | 914 |
| Owner-occupied share | 809th | 914 |
| Work from home | 542nd | 827 |
| Travel time to work | 186th | 914 |
Waupaca's figures with every place in Wisconsin (CSV)
Every place in Wisconsin, sortable · Compare Waupaca with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Waupaca?
16 of the 57 figures for Waupaca on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Waupaca are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Waupaca.