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CITY · 2020 ACS

Onalaska

Wisconsin · 18,803 residents · 10.612 sq mi
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The short version

Onalaska has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $66,295. Population has grown 27% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $208,600. Poverty is rare here, at 4.5% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,803
+27%since 2000
from 14,839 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,772 / sq mi
+27%since 2000
from 1,398 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.7
+15%since 2000
from 35.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K13K15K18K20K1990201020202024Onalaska
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,295
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,800 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,005
+75%since 2000
from $24,066 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
44.8%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 36.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.5%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade16%
US avg: 10%
Information14.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$208,600
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $105,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$879
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $535 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.2%
−5.0 ptssince 2000
from 68.1% in 2000
36.8% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+42%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic83.9%(15,769)
Black1.1%(202)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(485)
Asian8%(1,511)
Other3.5%(667)
Diversity Score34.4%(6,468)
Diversity Score
34
+226%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
38.5%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 31.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 94.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.5%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.7 min
+70%since 2000
from 10.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.4%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 88.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.6%
−7.7 ptssince 2011
from 71.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
43.0%
−30.4 ptssince 2009
from 73.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Female
53.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Foreign born
5.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.1%
−90.9 ptssince 2013
from 95.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Pop 20,383
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Head to head

Compare Onalaska to nearby cities

ONALASKA VS
La Crosse
Income$55,866−16%
Home value$210,100+1%
Population50,784+150%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ONALASKA VS
Holmen
Income$79,899+21%
Home value$285,900+37%
Population12,105−40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ONALASKA VS
Sparta
Income$64,973−2%
Home value$180,600−13%
Population9,974−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ONALASKA VS
Winona
Income$56,337−15%
Home value$201,800−3%
Population26,530+31%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Onalaska, Wisconsin?

Onalaska, Wisconsin has about 18,803 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Onalaska, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Onalaska, Wisconsin earns about $66,295 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 $208,600, and the typical rent is about $879 a month.

How educated are people in Onalaska, Wisconsin?

About 38.5% 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 4.5% 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 7,519 residents, a change of about 67 percent over that period.

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

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