County · Wisconsin
Marathon County, Wisconsin
Marathon County, Wisconsin. Marathon County had 139,432 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.0% since 2020, in line with Wisconsin (+1.3%). It holds 62 places (22 cities, villages and boroughs, 39 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 32 census tracts. GEOID 55073.
Marathon County is the county of the Wausau, WI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
139,432
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 138,013 · ACS 2020-2024: 138,403
Median household income
$77,884
±$2,218 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$219,600
±$3,992 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$999
±$28 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
How many people live in Marathon County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 138,013 residents in Marathon County. The Census Bureau estimates 139,432 for July 1, 2025, up 1.0% since 2020, in line with Wisconsin (+1.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 138,403 over 1,545 square miles of land.
| Measure | Marathon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 138,403 | 5,914,872 | +3,007 |
| Households | 57,866±405 | 2,479,480 | +2,400 |
| Average household size | 2.36±0.02 | 2.33 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 60,910±126 | 2,778,572 | +1,575 |
Marathon County's population since 2000
From 125,834 in 2000 to 139,432 in 2025: up 10.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Marathon County?
Marathon County holds 62 places: 22 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 39 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Wausau with 40,188 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wausau | 39,994 | $64,389 |
|---|---|---|
| Weston | 15,723 | $78,207 |
| Kronenwetter | 8,353 | $115,044 |
| Rib Mountain | 6,061 | $94,294 |
| Rothschild | 5,567 | $88,261 |
| Mosinee | 4,452 | $73,479 |
| Maine | 2,613 | $110,721 |
| Stettin (town) | 2,580 | $104,697 |
| Mosinee (town) | 2,216 | $101,500 |
| Wausau (town) | 2,161 | $75,750 |
| Schofield | 2,157 | $65,583 |
| McMillan (town) | 2,074 | $112,917 |
| Knowlton (town) | 1,984 | $93,043 |
| Spencer | 1,818 | $69,750 |
| Ringle (town) | 1,743 | $91,625 |
| Texas (town) | 1,611 | $86,875 |
| Spencer (town) | 1,586 | $100,988 |
| Stratford | 1,581 | $66,739 |
| Marathon City | 1,576 | $89,519 |
| Cleveland (town), Marathon County | 1,486 | $100,705 |
| Edgar | 1,439 | $63,482 |
| Reid (town) | 1,186 | $87,083 |
| Easton (town), Marathon County | 1,148 | $104,643 |
| Day (town) | 1,063 | $93,750 |
| Athens | 1,059 | $52,750 |
| Bevent (town) | 1,049 | $92,417 |
| Norrie (town) | 1,010 | $92,778 |
| Marathon (town) | 995 | $106,250 |
| Berlin (town), Marathon County | 949 | $91,875 |
| Rib Falls (town) | 947 | $103,750 |
| Cassel (town) | 934 | $82,250 |
| Emmet (town), Marathon County | 905 | $78,750 |
| Wien (town) | 885 | $92,000 |
| Rietbrock (town) | 874 | $85,227 |
| Johnson (town) | 873 | $74,800 |
| Holton (town) | 859 | $79,250 |
| Hamburg (town), Marathon County | 827 | $92,656 |
| Marshfield | 18,929 | $58,407 |
| Eau Pleine (town), Marathon County | 769 | $71,128 |
| Hull (town), Marathon County | 756 | $77,344 |
| Bergen (town), Marathon County | 740 | $96,406 |
| Plover (town), Marathon County | 683 | $84,375 |
| Colby | 1,952 | $50,114 |
| Weston (town), Marathon County | 657 | $136,563 |
| Hatley | 648 | $93,750 |
| Elderon (town) | 644 | $100,000 |
| Hewitt (town) | 636 | $66,250 |
| Frankfort (town), Marathon County | 635 | $87,500 |
| Halsey (town) | 634 | $88,750 |
| Brighton (town), Marathon County | 620 | $81,250 |
| Bern (town) | 614 | $78,929 |
| Abbotsford | 2,275 | $68,580 |
| Franzen (town) | 553 | $71,591 |
| Green Valley (town), Marathon County | 515 | $80,893 |
| Guenther (town) | 358 | $101,875 |
| Harrison (town), Marathon CountyGEOID 5507332900 | 312 | $56,782 |
| Unity | 384 | $56,827 |
| ElderonGEOID 5523075 | 161 | $65,417 |
| FenwoodGEOID 5525650 | 141 | $78,750 |
| KnowltonGEOID 5540125 | 94 | not published |
| Birnamwood | 730 | $63,750 |
| Dorchester | 849 | $60,536 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Marathon County?
The median resident of Marathon County is 41.3 years old; 22.5% are under 18 and 19.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.2%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 5.7%. 4.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Marathon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3±0.3 | 40.2 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 22.5% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.2%±0.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 8.0% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.2%±0.3 pts | 78.6% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.7%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.3%±0.5 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.6%±0.5 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8%±0.5 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 12.8%±0.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8%±0.5 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.3%±0.6 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.1%±1.0 pts | 33.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.4%±0.6 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 Marathon County earn?
Half of Marathon County's 57,866 households earn less than $77,884 a year (±$2,218), against $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $77,082 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Marathon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $77,884±$2,218 | $77,485 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $97,899±$2,324 | $101,466 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,413±$924 | $43,373 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.7%±0.8 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.1%±2.1 pts | 12.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.9%±0.9 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.0%±0.8 pts | 90.3% | – |
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 Marathon County?
Owners occupy 73.3% of Marathon County's occupied homes and renters 26.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $219,600 by its owner (±$3,992). The median renter pays $999 a month including utilities, and 31.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Marathon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $219,600±$3,992 | $266,500 | +$27,243 |
| Median gross rent | $999±$28 | $1,087 | +$66 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.9%±3.1 pts | 35.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,463±$24 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.3%±1.1 pts | 67.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 60,910±126 | 2,778,572 | +1,575 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.9%±1.6 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.4%±1.2 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.5%±0.4 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.5%±0.9 pts | 17.8% | – |
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 Marathon County building?
Builders took permits for 348 new housing units across Marathon County in 2025 (236 single-family), 2.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Marathon County get to work?
76.2% of Marathon County's workers drive alone and 12.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | Marathon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.9%±0.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9%±0.5 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.2%±1.2 pts | 74.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5%±0.7 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.9%±0.9 pts | 13.1% | +7.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.1 min±0.4 | 22.2 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 are Marathon County's census tracts?
Marathon County is divided into 32 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,945 (Tract 1) to $132,654 (Tract 12.03).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Marathon County compare with Wisconsin's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 72 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 41st of 72 |
| Residents per square mile | 23rd of 72 |
| Median household income | 19th of 72 |
| Median home value | 40th of 72 |
| Median gross rent | 20th of 72 |
| Poverty rate | 52nd of 72 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26th of 72 |
| Median age | 52nd of 72 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Marathon County 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' school search.