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CITY

Colby

Wisconsin · 1,957 residents (2025 est.) · 1.637 sq mi
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The short version

Colby has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $50,114. Population has grown 18% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $184,700. Households here earn about 35% less than the Wisconsin median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,907
+18%since 2000
from 1,616 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,165 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 987 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.3
−4%since 2000
from 40.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,957 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Colby
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,114
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,318 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,388
+51%since 2000
from $16,137 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.0%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.1%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.413
+7%since 2010
from 0.385 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade25.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information19.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services9.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$184,700
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$854
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $347 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
53.4%
−22.0 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
46.6% rent
Vacancy rate
3.4%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.9%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 23.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.7
+88%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
48
RELATED:See current rent listings in Colby on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.6%(1,529)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(62)
Asian0.4%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.7%(172)
2024
White, non-Hispanic71.5%(1,364)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino25.4%(485)
Asian0%(0)
Other3%(58)
Diversity Score52.8%(1,008)
Diversity Score
53
+396%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.1%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 8.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.5%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 75.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.8%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.4 min
+70%since 2000
from 12.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.5%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 87.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
3.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.9%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.4%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.9%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 59.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.3%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.1%
−29.8 ptssince 2009
from 58.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
Female
49.9%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
Foreign born
12.3%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.8%
−41.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.3%
+4.1 ptssince 2012
from 11.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.0%
−79.5 ptssince 2013
from 92.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.5%
+10.8 ptssince 2017
from 73.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
79.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 78.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
20.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 19.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Colby, Wisconsin?

Colby, Wisconsin has about 1,907 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Colby, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Colby, Wisconsin earns about $50,114 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Colby, Wisconsin expensive?

In Colby, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $184,700, and the typical rent is about $854 a month.

How educated are people in Colby, Wisconsin?

About 16.1% of adults age 25 and over in Colby, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Colby, Wisconsin?

About 19.1% of people in Colby, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Colby, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Colby, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 388 residents, a change of about 26 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →