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CITY

Gays Mills

Wisconsin · 498 residents (2025 est.) · 4.893 sq mi
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The short version

Gays Mills has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,208. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 102 residents. 15% 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 $164,500. Households here earn about 48% less than the Wisconsin median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 44%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
523
−16%since 2000
from 625 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
107 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 128 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.2
−7%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:498 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4384895405916421990201020202024Gays Mills
2024523
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,208
−25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,250 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,185
+81%since 2000
from $17,786 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.7%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.515
+38%since 2010
from 0.372 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade24.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance1.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$164,500
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$777
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $354 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
67.6%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 73.2% in 2000
32.4% rent
Vacancy rate
16.3%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.4%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 34.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 32.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+90%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
32
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gays Mills on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.2%(620)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(3)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score2%(12)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.5%(468)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(22)
Asian0%(0)
Other6.3%(33)
Diversity Score24.2%(127)
Diversity Score
24
+1116%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.6%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 87.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.7%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.6 min
+33%since 2000
from 21.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.9%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 74.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
17.9%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
4.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.3%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.1%
−10.7 ptssince 2011
from 67.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.9%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.4%
−40.4 ptssince 2009
from 62.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.9%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
Female
45.1%
−9.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
18.7%
−23.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2012
from 11.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.9%
−77.1 ptssince 2013
from 85.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
71.8%
+12.2 ptssince 2017
from 59.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.4%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 99.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.6%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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GAYS MILLS VS
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GAYS MILLS VS
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GAYS MILLS VS
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Home value$229,100+39%
Population10,641+2037%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gays Mills, Wisconsin?

Gays Mills, Wisconsin has about 523 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gays Mills, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Gays Mills, Wisconsin earns about $40,208 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gays Mills, Wisconsin expensive?

In Gays Mills, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $164,500, and the typical rent is about $777 a month.

How educated are people in Gays Mills, Wisconsin?

About 14.8% of adults age 25 and over in Gays Mills, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gays Mills, Wisconsin?

About 14.0% of people in Gays Mills, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gays Mills, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Gays Mills, Wisconsin has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 44 residents, a change of about -8 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 →

Gays Mills, Wisconsin: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy