City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

West Bend, WI

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

31,722
Residents
$75,043
Median income
$244,500
Median home
$1,338
Median rent (state)

West Bend - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, West Bend places in the 56th percentile for household income and the 49th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

56th
percentile, household income
55th
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
49th
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: West Bend, WI

West Bend is a small city in Wisconsin, home to 31,722 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in West Bend brings in $75,043 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.8%. Typical homes in West Bend are valued around $244,500, and the median resident age is 39.9 years. 29.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 66.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 125 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 36% from five years earlier. West Bend reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1408.6 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). NOAA puts West Bend's yearly average temperature at 46.3°F with 33.3 inches of precipitation per year.

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. 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. Workers in West Bend report an average commute of 23.5 minutes, with 81.4% driving alone and 8.0% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 68.3 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

31,722 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$75,043 /yr

Poverty 4.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does West Bend compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 56% higher than other cities
Home value 55% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities
Safety 49% 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, West Bend ranks #140 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 West Bend 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 West Bend toward the top of Wisconsin's cities

Among the 761 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, West Bend ranks #56 - the 82nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares West Bend only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#289 of 753
62nd percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#56 of 761
82nd percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#195 of 754
74th percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#412 of 761
45th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#214 of 761
72nd 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.

56thIncome percentile
49thSafety percentile

56th percentile nationally for median household income · 49th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Bend's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West Bend'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 51 Avg. percentile National median
West Bend'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 West Bend's home value compares nationally

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

$244,500 45th percentile more affordable than 45% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. West Bend $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 - West Bend, WI West Bend, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Bend, 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 West Bend, WI median $75,043/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%
West Bend, 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 West Bend, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.9%

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

Population
31,722
Median Income
$75,043
Median Home Value
$244,500
Median Age
39.9
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Labor force participation
66.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1408.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
237.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1170.7
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
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
33.3"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
31,600 residents31,800 residents32,000 residents32,200 residents32,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 31,730 residents 32,268 residents ▲ +1.7%
West Bend's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
125
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
111
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2022 194
2023 10
2024 125

Permit volume decreased 36% from 2022 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.5 minutes
Drive Alone
81.4%
Carpool
6.9%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
8.0%
Other
1.6%

Based on 17,070 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 West Bend 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
68.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Fitchburg
31,566 people
Manitowoc
34,553 people
Mount Pleasant
27,694 people
Franklin
35,751 people
Neenah
27,409 people
Sun Prairie
36,455 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Bend's 31,722 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lake Magdalene, FL
31,733 people
Dania Beach, FL
31,739 people
Bethany, OR
31,700 people
San Pablo, CA
31,771 people
Poughkeepsie, NY
31,778 people
Bangor, ME
31,663 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Bend's $75,043 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Rangely, CO
$75,044 median income
High Ridge, MO
$75,040 median income
Carter Lake, IA
$75,037 median income
Newfane, NY
$75,049 median income
Shoemakersville, PA
$75,050 median income
Jackson, CA
$75,051 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Bend, 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 West Bend, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.2% White 91.1% Black or African American 2.3% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 4.6% 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 West Bend 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
West Bend (this city) 31,722 $75,043
Fitchburg 31,566 $85,420
Manitowoc 34,553 $62,133
Mount Pleasant 27,694 $90,189
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Bend, WI?

What is the population of West Bend, WI? +

West Bend, WI counts 31,722 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Bend, WI? +

In West Bend, the typical household earns $75,043 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Bend? +

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

West Bend has a total crime rate of 1408.6 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 West Bend, WI? +

West Bend's median home value sits at $244,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in West Bend? +

West Bend has an average annual temperature of 46.3°F, 33.3 inches of precipitation. 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.