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CITY

La Crosse

Wisconsin · 50,784 residents (2025 est.) · 21.711 sq mi
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The short version

La Crosse has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $55,866. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $210,100. At a median age of 30.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 21.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 28% less than the Wisconsin median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 30.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
51,356
−1%since 2000
from 51,818 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,365 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 2,387 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
30.5
+1%since 2000
from 30.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:50,784 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
51K51K52K52K53K1990201020202024La Crosse
202451K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$55,866
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,103 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,439
+95%since 2000
from $17,650 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.7%
+19.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.4%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.454
+4%since 2010
from 0.438 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade11%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$210,100
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $83,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,010
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $449 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
46.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 50.9% in 2000
53.9% rent
Vacancy rate
5.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.3%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.8
+41%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
58
RELATED:See current rent listings in La Crosse on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91%(47,158)
Black1.5%(775)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(592)
Asian4.6%(2,391)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.4%(9,042)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.6%(44,470)
Black2%(1,017)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(1,724)
Asian4.4%(2,239)
Other3.7%(1,906)
Diversity Score30.7%(15,753)
Diversity Score
31
+76%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.9%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 24.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.1%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 87.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.6%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.9 min
+51%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.9%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 72.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.9%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.1%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 67.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.3%
−26.6 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
51.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.8%
−40.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2012
from 10.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.9%
−84.9 ptssince 2013
from 89.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.4%
+9.8 ptssince 2017
from 78.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.4%
+2.6 ptssince 2016
from 90.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 3.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in La Crosse, Wisconsin?

La Crosse, Wisconsin has about 51,356 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in La Crosse, Wisconsin?

The typical household in La Crosse, Wisconsin earns about $55,866 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is La Crosse, Wisconsin expensive?

In La Crosse, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $210,100, and the typical rent is about $1,010 a month.

How educated are people in La Crosse, Wisconsin?

About 34.9% of adults age 25 and over in La Crosse, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in La Crosse, Wisconsin?

About 21.4% of people in La Crosse, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has La Crosse, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, La Crosse, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 353 residents, a change of about 1 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 →