City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Wisconsin Dells, WI

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

2,763
Residents
$66,846
Median income
$203,300
Median home
$1,111
Median rent (state)

Wisconsin Dells - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Wisconsin Dells places in the 45th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

45th
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
30th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Wisconsin Dells, WI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,763 residents in Wisconsin Dells, a small town within Wisconsin. Median household income here is $66,846 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.3%. Typical homes in Wisconsin Dells are valued around $203,300, and the median resident age is 42.3 years. Educational attainment runs 24.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 10 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 88% from five years earlier. NOAA puts Wisconsin Dells's yearly average temperature at 45.7°F with 37.5 inches of precipitation per year and 40.7 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: the state registers 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,111 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Wisconsin run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 72.1 out of 100 (High).

Population

2,763 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$66,846 /yr

Poverty 5.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Wisconsin Dells compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 45% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 30% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

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 Wisconsin Dells'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.

45thIncome percentile

45th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Wisconsin Dells's home value compares nationally

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

$203,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Wisconsin Dells $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 - Wisconsin Dells, WI Wisconsin Dells, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wisconsin Dells, 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 Wisconsin Dells, WI median $66,846/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%
Wisconsin Dells, 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 Wisconsin Dells, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.9%

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

Population
2,763
Median Income
$66,846
Median Home Value
$203,300
Median Age
42.3
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Labor force participation
59.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.4%

Climate

Avg Temperature
45.7°F
Annual Precipitation
37.5"
Annual Snowfall
40.7"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,900 residents3,000 residents3,100 residents3,200 residents3,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,012 residents 3,149 residents ▲ +4.5%
Wisconsin Dells's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2022 84
2023 6
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 88% from 2022 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.6%
Carpool
16.5%
Public Transit
2.1%
Walk
3.5%
Work from Home
3.6%
Other
0.7%

Based on 1,260 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 Wisconsin Dells sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,111/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
72.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Fennimore
2,762 people
Tainter Lake
2,753 people
Walworth
2,786 people
Delavan Lake
2,728 people
Lake Wazeecha
2,722 people
Luxemburg
2,722 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wisconsin Dells's 2,763 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bushnell, IL
2,763 people
Callender, CA
2,764 people
Weed, CA
2,765 people
Beechwood Trails, OH
2,765 people
Ocean View, DE
2,760 people
Bartonsville, MD
2,760 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wisconsin Dells's $66,846 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Arcadia, IN
$66,852 median income
Loa, UT
$66,838 median income
Kendall West, FL
$66,858 median income
Monmouth, OR
$66,858 median income
Garden City, ID
$66,859 median income
Fort Recovery, OH
$66,833 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wisconsin Dells, 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 Wisconsin Dells, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.4% White 86.4% Black or African American 3.8% Asian 0.0% American Indian 1.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.7% Two or more races 4.3% 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 Wisconsin Dells 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
Wisconsin Dells (this city) 2,763 $66,846
Fennimore 2,762 $64,891
Tainter Lake 2,753 $96,250
Walworth 2,786 $64,125
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wisconsin Dells, WI?

What is the population of Wisconsin Dells, WI? +

Wisconsin Dells, WI counts 2,763 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Wisconsin Dells, WI? +

The median household income in Wisconsin Dells is $66,846 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wisconsin Dells? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Wisconsin Dells; 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.

What is the median home value in Wisconsin Dells, WI? +

Wisconsin Dells's median home value sits at $203,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Wisconsin Dells? +

Wisconsin Dells has an average annual temperature of 45.7°F, 37.5 inches of precipitation, and 40.7 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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