County · Wisconsin
Waupaca County, Wisconsin
Waupaca County, Wisconsin. Waupaca County had 51,461 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.7% since 2020, while Wisconsin grew 1.3%. It holds 37 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs, 22 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 55135.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
51,461
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 51,812 · ACS 2020-2024: 51,569
Median household income
$72,830
±$2,821 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$211,400
±$7,653 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$852
±$42 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
How many people live in Waupaca County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 51,812 residents in Waupaca County. The Census Bureau estimates 51,461 for July 1, 2025, down 0.7% since 2020, while Wisconsin grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 51,569 over 748 square miles of land.
| Measure | Waupaca County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 51,569 | 5,914,872 | +324 |
| Households | 22,571±339 | 2,479,480 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.23±0.03 | 2.33 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 25,791±62 | 2,778,572 | no clear change |
Waupaca County's population since 2000
From 51,731 in 2000 to 51,461 in 2025: down 0.5%. 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 Waupaca County?
Waupaca County holds 37 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 22 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Waupaca with 6,352 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waupaca | 6,282 | $52,727 |
|---|---|---|
| New London | 7,348 | $60,612 |
| Clintonville | 4,591 | $53,304 |
| Farmington (town), Waupaca County | 3,712 | $83,244 |
| Mukwa (town) | 2,830 | $105,385 |
| Dayton (town), Waupaca County | 2,644 | $91,645 |
| Weyauwega | 1,796 | $66,625 |
| Caledonia (town), Waupaca County | 1,712 | $109,167 |
| Lebanon (town), Waupaca County | 1,619 | $79,138 |
| Lind (town) | 1,571 | $78,636 |
| Manawa | 1,441 | $88,393 |
| Little Wolf (town) | 1,400 | $94,205 |
| Royalton (town) | 1,359 | $79,205 |
| Marion | 1,324 | $60,521 |
| Larrabee (town) | 1,286 | $80,515 |
| Iola | 1,249 | $44,735 |
| KingGEOID 5539700 | 1,242 | $84,183 |
| Waupaca (town) | 1,194 | $82,188 |
| Chain O' Lakes | 1,124 | $83,194 |
| Scandinavia (town) | 1,049 | $89,583 |
| Iola (town) | 938 | $84,375 |
| Matteson (town) | 914 | $76,544 |
| Union (town), Waupaca County | 778 | $88,594 |
| Bear Creek (town), Waupaca County | 748 | $69,412 |
| Dupont (town) | 746 | $76,667 |
| St. Lawrence (town) | 714 | $85,515 |
| Helvetia (town) | 701 | $80,167 |
| Fremont | 689 | $68,750 |
| Fremont (town), Waupaca County | 627 | $98,250 |
| Weyauwega (town) | 567 | $82,292 |
| NorthportGEOID 5558375 | 459 | $92,292 |
| Harrison (town), Waupaca County | 459 | $89,643 |
| Scandinavia | 371 | $59,375 |
| Embarrass | 353 | $58,750 |
| Wyoming (town), Waupaca CountyGEOID 5513589375 | 318 | $78,000 |
| Ogdensburg | 188 | $59,479 |
| Big FallsGEOID 5507250 | 60 | not published |
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 Waupaca County?
The median resident of Waupaca County is 45.3 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 21.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.9%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Waupaca County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.3±0.2 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.1%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.3%±0.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.9% | 8.0% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.4%±0.3 pts | 78.6% | −1.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±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 | 2.6%±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | −0.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.7%±0.5 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±0.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 14.4%±0.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.9%±0.8 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5%±1.0 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.5%±1.3 pts | 33.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6%±0.6 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±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 Waupaca County earn?
Half of Waupaca County's 22,571 households earn less than $72,830 a year (±$2,821), against $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $72,233 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Waupaca County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,830±$2,821 | $77,485 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $93,820±$7,625 | $101,466 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,606±$3,176 | $43,373 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.4%±1.1 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.3%±3.5 pts | 12.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.0%±1.2 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.8%±1.3 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 Waupaca County?
Owners occupy 75.3% of Waupaca County's occupied homes and renters 24.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $211,400 by its owner (±$7,653). The median renter pays $852 a month including utilities, and 35.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Waupaca County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $211,400±$7,653 | $266,500 | +$26,919 |
| Median gross rent | $852±$42 | $1,087 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.8%±5.1 pts | 35.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,449±$49 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.3%±1.6 pts | 67.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 25,791±62 | 2,778,572 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.5%±2.0 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.7%±1.6 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.8%±0.9 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.0%±1.4 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 Waupaca County building?
Builders took permits for 214 new housing units across Waupaca County in 2025 (159 single-family), 4.2 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 Waupaca County get to work?
81.2% of Waupaca County's workers drive alone and 7.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.8%.
| Measure | Waupaca County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.5%±1.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8%±0.7 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.2%±1.8 pts | 74.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.7%±1.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 2.9%±0.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.9%±1.2 pts | 13.1% | +3.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.9 min±1.1 | 22.2 min | +1.5 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 Waupaca County's census tracts?
Waupaca County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $58,775 (Tract 1011) to $93,750 (Tract 1008).
| Tract 100155135100100 | 3,476±227 | $72,368 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 100255135100200 | 2,573±180 | $81,776 |
| Tract 100355135100300 | 3,960±277 | $68,640 |
| Tract 100455135100400 | 4,281±222 | $85,430 |
| Tract 100555135100500 | 3,097±323 | $66,688 |
| Tract 100655135100600 | 4,805±301 | $82,733 |
| Tract 100755135100700 | 3,699±383 | $70,750 |
| Tract 100855135100800 | 4,674±428 | $93,750 |
| Tract 100955135100900 | 6,425±207 | $63,393 |
| Tract 101055135101000 | 5,706±324 | $60,509 |
| Tract 101155135101100 | 5,130±236 | $58,775 |
| Tract 101255135101200 | 3,743±266 | $87,391 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Waupaca County compare with Wisconsin's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 29th of 72 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 68th of 72 |
| Residents per square mile | 28th of 72 |
| Median household income | 37th of 72 |
| Median home value | 46th of 72 |
| Median gross rent | 42nd of 72 |
| Poverty rate | 37th of 72 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 54th of 72 |
| Median age | 28th 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 Waupaca 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.