City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Wausau, WI

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

39,893
Residents
$61,877
Median income
$155,900
Median home
$1,147
Median rent (state)

Wausau - the verdict

Nationally, Wausau sits in the 38th percentile for household income and the 52nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

38th
percentile, household income
29th
percentile, home value
32nd
percentile, median rent
52nd
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: Wausau, WI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 39,893 residents in Wausau, a small city within Wisconsin. Median household income here is $61,877 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.0%. Home values in Wausau run a median of $155,900, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. Educational attainment runs 30.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 61.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 74 residential building permits were authorized in Wausau (Construction Slowdown), down 37% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Wausau reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1304.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Wisconsin at 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,147 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Wausau workers runs 13.6 minutes, with 72.5% driving alone and 12.7% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 87.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

39,893 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$61,877 /yr

Poverty 9.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Wausau compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 29% pricier than other cities
Median rent 32% pricier than other cities
Safety 52% 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, Wausau ranks #133 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 Wausau'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.

38thIncome percentile
52ndSafety percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income · 52nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wausau's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wausau'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 53 Avg. percentile National median
Wausau'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 Wausau's home value compares nationally

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

$155,900 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. Wausau $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 - Wausau, WI Wausau, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wausau, 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 Wausau, WI median $61,877/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%
Wausau, 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 Wausau, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.7%

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

Population
39,893
Median Income
$61,877
Median Home Value
$155,900
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Labor force participation
61.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1304.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
295.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1008.8
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.

Schools

Total Schools
20
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
39,600 residents39,800 residents40,000 residents40,200 residents40,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 40,013 residents 40,188 residents ▲ +0.4%
Wausau's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
74
housing units authorized
Single-Family
18
detached homes
Multifamily
56
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2022 117
2023 174
2024 74

Permit volume decreased 37% from 2022 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.6 minutes
Drive Alone
72.5%
Carpool
9.1%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
2.4%
Work from Home
12.7%
Other
2.4%

Based on 19,363 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 Wausau sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,147/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

New Berlin
40,384 people
Menomonee Falls
38,963 people
Brookfield
41,592 people
Greenfield
37,361 people
Beloit
36,554 people
Oak Creek
36,473 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wausau's 39,893 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hobbs, NM
39,887 people
Duncanville, TX
39,879 people
Hurst, TX
39,912 people
Waipahu, HI
39,871 people
Hutchinson, KS
39,837 people
DeLand, FL
39,832 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wausau's $61,877 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Edmundson Acres, CA
$61,875 median income
Zellwood, FL
$61,875 median income
Jersey, GA
$61,875 median income
West Point, IL
$61,875 median income
St. Joe, IN
$61,875 median income
Brandon, IA
$61,875 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wausau, 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 Wausau, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.2% 10.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.4% White 80.2% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 10.8% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 5.8% 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 Wausau 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
Wausau (this city) 39,893 $61,877
New Berlin 40,384 $97,414
Menomonee Falls 38,963 $98,460
Brookfield 41,592 $124,026
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wausau, WI?

What is the population of Wausau, WI? +

The population of Wausau, WI stands at 39,893 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Wausau runs $61,877, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wausau? +

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

Wausau has a total crime rate of 1304.2 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 Wausau, WI? +

The median home value in Wausau is $155,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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