County · Wisconsin
Vernon County, Wisconsin
Vernon County, Wisconsin. Vernon County had 31,443 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.4% since 2020, faster than Wisconsin (+1.3%). It holds 33 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs and 21 towns and townships) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 55123.
Vernon County is one of the 3 counties of the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
31,443
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 30,714 · ACS 2020-2024: 31,049
Median household income
$71,893
±$2,810 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$223,800
±$7,414 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$836
±$44 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
How many people live in Vernon County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 30,714 residents in Vernon County. The Census Bureau estimates 31,443 for July 1, 2025, up 2.4% since 2020, faster than Wisconsin (+1.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 31,049 over 792 square miles of land.
| Measure | Vernon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 31,049 | 5,914,872 | +416 |
| Households | 12,424±190 | 2,479,480 | +353 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.04 | 2.33 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,065±48 | 2,778,572 | no clear change |
Vernon County's population since 2000
From 28,056 in 2000 to 31,443 in 2025: up 12.1%. 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 Vernon County?
Vernon County holds 33 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 21 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Viroqua with 4,435 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Vernon County?
The median resident of Vernon County is 41.9 years old; 26.0% are under 18 and 21.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.1%. 0.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Vernon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9±0.5 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.0% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.3%±0.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% | 8.0% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.3%±0.4 pts | 78.6% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | −0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±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 | 3.1%±0.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.3%±1.6 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.4%±0.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 10.6%±0.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.0%±1.7 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.3%±1.0 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.9%±1.4 pts | 33.4% | +2.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.5%±0.9 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.4 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 Vernon County earn?
Half of Vernon County's 12,424 households earn less than $71,893 a year (±$2,810), against $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 the median was $64,561 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,332 after inflation. 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Vernon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,893±$2,810 | $77,485 | +$7,332 |
| Mean household income | $90,506±$4,515 | $101,466 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,396±$1,659 | $43,373 | +$4,154 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.1%±1.6 pts | 10.6% | −3.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.2%±4.0 pts | 12.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.1%±1.3 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.4%±1.7 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 Vernon County?
Owners occupy 80.3% of Vernon County's occupied homes and renters 19.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $223,800 by its owner (±$7,414). The median renter pays $836 a month including utilities, and 24.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Vernon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $223,800±$7,414 | $266,500 | +$30,335 |
| Median gross rent | $836±$44 | $1,087 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 24.5%±4.8 pts | 35.0% | −12.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,517±$60 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.3%±1.8 pts | 67.8% | +2.5 pts |
| Housing units | 14,065±48 | 2,778,572 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.3%±4.2 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.7%±1.9 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.4%±1.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.0%±1.9 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 Vernon County building?
Builders took permits for 76 new housing units across Vernon County in 2025 (68 single-family), 2.4 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 Vernon County get to work?
72.9% of Vernon County's workers drive alone and 12.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.5%.
| Measure | Vernon County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.5%±1.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5%±0.6 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.9%±1.8 pts | 74.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5%±1.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 3.7%±0.7 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.7%±1.4 pts | 13.1% | +5.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.1 min±0.8 | 22.2 min | −1.2 min |
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 Vernon County's census tracts?
Vernon County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $61,217 (Tract 9601) to $92,685 (Tract 9606).
| Tract 960155123960100 | 4,608±353 | $61,217 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960255123960200 | 3,972±295 | $64,464 |
| Tract 960355123960300 | 4,470±294 | $71,250 |
| Tract 960455123960400 | 5,033±198 | $68,549 |
| Tract 960555123960500 | 3,457±245 | $72,278 |
| Tract 960655123960600 | 5,260±385 | $92,685 |
| Tract 960755123960700 | 4,249±358 | $74,193 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Vernon County compare with Wisconsin's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 42nd of 72 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 22nd of 72 |
| Residents per square mile | 43rd of 72 |
| Median household income | 38th of 72 |
| Median home value | 37th of 72 |
| Median gross rent | 45th of 72 |
| Poverty rate | 11th of 72 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37th of 72 |
| Median age | 45th 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 Vernon 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.