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CITY

River Falls

Wisconsin · 17,916 residents (2025 est.) · 7.247 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#284Youngest by median ageof 6,82628.6
The short version

River Falls has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $83,627. Population has grown 33% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $327,600. At a median age of 28.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 28.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
45% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 43%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,719
+33%since 2000
from 12,560 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,307 / sq mi
+33%since 2000
from 1,733 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
28.6
+21%since 2000
from 23.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,916 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
10K12K14K15K17K1990201020202024River Falls
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$83,627
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,184 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,945
+109%since 2000
from $17,667 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
53.5%
+26.5 ptssince 2009
from 27.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.408
−3%since 2010
from 0.419 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance2.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$327,600
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $125,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,107
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $565 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 51.0% in 2000
44.9% rent
Vacancy rate
6.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.7%
−19.0 ptssince 2009
from 31.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.3%
−25.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.9
+28%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
61
RELATED:See current rent listings in River Falls on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96%(12,063)
Black0.5%(66)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(119)
Asian1%(128)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.2%(781)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.1%(15,561)
Black0.2%(33)
Hispanic / Latino2%(328)
Asian1.2%(202)
Other3.6%(595)
Diversity Score16.5%(2,757)
Diversity Score
16
+165%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
44.9%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 38.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.5%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 92.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+40%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 74.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.5%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
7.2%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
72.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 70.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.9%
−29.7 ptssince 2009
from 68.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
Female
52.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.3%
−41.7 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2012
from 7.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.9%
−87.0 ptssince 2013
from 90.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.9%
+12.2 ptssince 2017
from 81.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2016
from 95.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare River Falls to nearby cities

RIVER FALLS VS
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RIVER FALLS VS
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RIVER FALLS VS
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RIVER FALLS VS
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Population81,558+355%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in River Falls, Wisconsin?

River Falls, Wisconsin has about 16,719 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in River Falls, Wisconsin?

The typical household in River Falls, Wisconsin earns about $83,627 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is River Falls, Wisconsin expensive?

In River Falls, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $327,600, and the typical rent is about $1,107 a month.

How educated are people in River Falls, Wisconsin?

About 44.9% of adults age 25 and over in River Falls, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in River Falls, Wisconsin?

About 15.1% of people in River Falls, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has River Falls, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, River Falls, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,178 residents, a change of about 59 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 →