City · Wisconsin
Whitewater, Wisconsin
Whitewater, city, mostly in Walworth County (78.7% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Whitewater had 16,038 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.6% from the Bureau's April 2020 estimates base of 16,141; the 2020 Census counted 14,889 on the place as it was defined then and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 15,807 (±34). GEOID 5586925.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,038
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,889 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,807 ±34
Median household income
$54,969
±$9,908 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$229,400
±$7,368 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$1,041
±$73 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
Where is Whitewater and what county is it in?
Whitewater is a city mostly in Walworth County (78.7% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. It covers 8.8 square miles of land, 1,684 residents per square mile in 2020.
Whitewater is in the Whitewater-Elkhorn, WI micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Walworth County | 11,721 | 78.7% |
| Jefferson County | 3,168 | 21.3% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Whitewater, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 16,038 people lived in Whitewater on July 1, 2025, down 0.6% since 2020, while Wisconsin grew 1.3%. The Census Bureau's yearly estimates start from its own April 2020 base for Whitewater, 16,141, which differs from the 2020 Census count of 14,889: the estimates follow the place as the estimates program defines it today (its present boundaries, and for a consolidated city-county the area the program assigns it), so the change since 2020 is measured from that base. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 15,807 (±34).
| Measure | Whitewater | Walworth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,807 ±34 | 105,657 | +1,085 |
| Households | 5,229 ±362 | 43,087 | +543 |
| Average household size | 2.27 ±0.15 | 2.38 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,925 ±410 | 54,124 | +628 |
Whitewater's population since 2000
From 13,437 in 2000 to 16,038 in 2025: up 19.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Whitewater 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 Whitewater?
The median resident of Whitewater is 22.1 years old; 11.2% are under 18 and 10.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.3%. 9.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Whitewater | Walworth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 22.1 ±0.5 | 41.4 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 11.2% ±2.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.1% ±2.2 pts | 20.0% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±2.7 pts | 50.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.3% ±2.7 pts | 12.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.1% ±3.4 pts | 83.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.1% ±1.6 pts | 0.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.1% ±1.5 pts | 0.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7% ±1.1 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.0% ±3.4 pts | 6.2% | +4.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.9% ±4.0 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.1% ±1.0 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 11.7% ±2.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8% ±2.2 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.4% ±4.3 pts | 93.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 35.2% ±5.5 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.0% ±4.1 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 64.5% ±3.9 pts | 86.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.6% ±1.7 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Whitewater earn?
Half of Whitewater's 5,229 households earn less than $54,969 a year (±$9,908), against $80,520 in Walworth County and $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $44,522 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 26.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Whitewater | Walworth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,969 ±$9,908 | $80,520 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $71,137 ±$6,449 | $109,464 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,863 ±$1,834 | $45,175 | +$4,274 |
| People below the poverty line | 26.8% ±4.3 pts | 9.4% | −10.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.8% ±13.1 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.8% ±3.0 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.9% ±1.2 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 76.2% ±5.9 pts | 88.7% | – |
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 Whitewater?
Owners occupy 31.8% of Whitewater's occupied homes and renters 68.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $229,400 by its owner (±$7,368). The median renter pays $1,041 a month including utilities, and 42.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Whitewater | Walworth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $229,400 ±$7,368 | $302,700 | +$21,782 |
| Median gross rent | $1,041 ±$73 | $1,150 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.0% ±7.8 pts | 33.9% | −11.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,774 ±$127 | $1,746 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 31.8% ±4.8 pts | 70.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 68.2% ±4.8 pts | 29.4% | – |
| Housing units | 5,925 ±410 | 54,124 | +628 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.6% ±3.6 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 32.8% ±4.2 pts | 69.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.5% ±1.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9% ±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.9% ±2.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.0% ±2.9 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.7% ±2.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
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 Whitewater building?
Builders took permits for 87 new housing units in Whitewater in 2025 (27 in single-family houses), 5.4 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 Whitewater work and get to work?
64.8% of Whitewater's workers drive alone and 9.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Whitewater | Walworth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.0% ±3.6 pts | 65.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% ±1.9 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 64.8% ±5.7 pts | 76.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.4% ±5.2 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 13.3% ±3.7 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.1% ±2.9 pts | 11.2% | +5.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.0 min ±1.4 | 23.9 min | no clear change |
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 Whitewater?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Whitewater, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $27,644 (Tract 5.01) to $75,538 (Tract 5.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 5.01Walworth County | 4,049 | $27,644 |
| Tract 5.02Walworth County | 3,799 | $75,538 |
| Tract 4Walworth County | 3,791 | $74,853 |
| Tract 1016Jefferson County | 8,625 | $83,233 |
| Tract 3.01Walworth County | 2,719 | $93,000 |
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 Whitewater) · Census block assignment files
How does Whitewater compare with other places in Wisconsin?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Whitewater is the 2,303rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 58th-most populous of 608 in Wisconsin.
Whitewater ranks 858th 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 | 58th | 608 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 657th | 884 |
| Residents per square mile | 89th | 914 |
| Median household income | 858th | 914 |
| Per capita income | 895th | 911 |
| Median home value | 639th | 913 |
| Median gross rent | 370th | 825 |
| Poverty rate | 7th | 706 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 229th | 914 |
| Median age | 913th | 914 |
| Owner-occupied share | 913th | 914 |
| Work from home | 574th | 827 |
| Travel time to work | 858th | 914 |
Whitewater's figures with every place in Wisconsin (CSV)
Every place in Wisconsin, sortable · Compare Whitewater 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 Whitewater?
7 of the 57 figures for Whitewater 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 Whitewater 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 Whitewater.