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CITY

Melrose

Wisconsin · 528 residents (2025 est.) · 0.801 sq mi
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The short version

Melrose has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,750. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% 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 $151,600. Households here earn about 37% less than the Wisconsin median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
562
+6%since 2000
from 529 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
702 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 660 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.1
−9%since 2000
from 39.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:528 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3544315095866631990201020202024Melrose
2024562
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,750
−29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,955 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,308
+51%since 2000
from $18,765 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.1%
+18.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.9%
+15.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.430
+19%since 2010
from 0.360 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing15.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction15.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade9.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Information1.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services1.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$151,600
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$744
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $430 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.4%
−5.6 ptssince 2000
from 78.0% in 2000
27.6% rent
Vacancy rate
0.0%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
33.3%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
73.4%
+37.1 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
+81%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
29
RELATED:See current rent listings in Melrose on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.3%(520)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.9%(10)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.2%(490)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino6%(34)
Asian0%(0)
Other6.8%(38)
Diversity Score28.9%(163)
Diversity Score
29
+1429%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.0%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.6%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 85.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.0 min
+55%since 2000
from 20.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.0%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 79.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.6%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
14.2%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.3%
+1.5 ptssince 2011
from 62.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.3%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.6%
−37.8 ptssince 2009
from 64.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.5%
−38.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2012
from 13.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.1%
−80.3 ptssince 2013
from 84.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
77.6%
+2.4 ptssince 2017
from 75.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2016
from 93.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−5.7 ptssince 2016
from 5.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Melrose, Wisconsin?

Melrose, Wisconsin has about 562 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Melrose, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Melrose, Wisconsin earns about $48,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Melrose, Wisconsin expensive?

In Melrose, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $151,600, and the typical rent is about $744 a month.

How educated are people in Melrose, Wisconsin?

About 18.0% of adults age 25 and over in Melrose, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Melrose, Wisconsin?

About 18.9% of people in Melrose, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Melrose, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Melrose, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9 residents, a change of about 2 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 →

Melrose, Wisconsin: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy