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CITY

Onalaska

Wisconsin · 20,297 residents (2025 est.) · 10.612 sq mi
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The short version

Onalaska has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $85,867. Population has grown 30% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $288,900. Poverty is rare here, at 6.0% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,348
+30%since 2000
from 14,839 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,823 / sq mi
+30%since 2000
from 1,398 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.7
+15%since 2000
from 35.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:20,297 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
10K13K15K18K20K1990201020202024Onalaska
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$85,867
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,800 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$52,580
+118%since 2000
from $24,066 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
56.9%
+20.7 ptssince 2009
from 36.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.440
+6%since 2010
from 0.414 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade12.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$288,900
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $105,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,130
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $535 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
63.1%
−5.1 ptssince 2000
from 68.1% in 2000
36.9% rent
Vacancy rate
1.3%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.1%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.5%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 31.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+52%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Onalaska on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.6%(14,040)
Black0.6%(87)
Hispanic / Latino1%(141)
Asian2.8%(413)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.6%(1,567)
2024
White, non-Hispanic84.6%(16,362)
Black2.7%(527)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(498)
Asian5.3%(1,032)
Other4.8%(929)
Diversity Score34.8%(6,730)
Diversity Score
35
+229%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.7%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 31.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.3%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 94.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
17.5%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.3 min
+66%since 2000
from 10.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.2%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 88.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.9%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.4%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.0%
−4.3 ptssince 2011
from 71.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.6%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.3%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 73.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Female
52.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−38.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2012
from 9.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.0%
−91.0 ptssince 2013
from 95.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2017
from 81.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 90.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Onalaska to nearby cities

ONALASKA VS
La Crosse
Income$55,866−35%
Home value$210,100−27%
Population50,784+150%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ONALASKA VS
Holmen
Income$79,899−7%
Home value$285,900−1%
Population12,105−40%
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ONALASKA VS
Sparta
Income$64,973−24%
Home value$180,600−37%
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ONALASKA VS
Winona
Income$56,337−34%
Home value$201,800−30%
Population26,530+31%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Onalaska, Wisconsin?

Onalaska, Wisconsin has about 19,348 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Onalaska, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Onalaska, Wisconsin earns about $85,867 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Onalaska, Wisconsin expensive?

In Onalaska, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $288,900, and the typical rent is about $1,130 a month.

How educated are people in Onalaska, Wisconsin?

About 41.7% of adults age 25 and over in Onalaska, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Onalaska, Wisconsin?

About 6.0% of people in Onalaska, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Onalaska, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Onalaska, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,064 residents, a change of about 71 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 →

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