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CITY

Waunakee

Wisconsin · 16,411 residents (2025 est.) · 7.337 sq mi
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Part of the Madison metro area
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Notable rankings
#272Lowest unemploymentof 6,8261.4%#300Lowest poverty rateof 6,8232.8%
The short version

Waunakee is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $125,220. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 74% since 2000. 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $515,900. Poverty is rare here, at 2.8% of residents. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
64% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 62%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,687
+74%since 2000
from 8,995 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,138 / sq mi
+74%since 2000
from 1,226 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.6
+14%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:16,411 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K8K11K14K17K1990201020202024Waunakee
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$125,220
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,225 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$64,261
+148%since 2000
from $25,952 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
73.4%
+22.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 1.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.406
−5%since 2010
from 0.427 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services11.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration9.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade9.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information6.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade4.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
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
$515,900
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $175,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,324
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $715 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.4%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 66.3% in 2000
22.6% rent
Vacancy rate
4.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.5%
−13.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 35.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+39%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
68
RELATED:See current rent listings in Waunakee on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.5%(8,769)
Black0.3%(31)
Hispanic / Latino1%(86)
Asian0.5%(46)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.5%(405)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.9%(13,472)
Black1.4%(225)
Hispanic / Latino7.3%(1,140)
Asian1.6%(244)
Other3.9%(606)
Diversity Score31.9%(5,005)
Diversity Score
32
+608%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
63.8%
+31.5 ptssince 2000
from 32.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.5%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 92.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
22.8%
+15.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+90%since 2000
from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
64.8%
−18.6 ptssince 2009
from 83.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
24.2%
+18.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 3.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.8%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 74.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
65.0%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 72.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
5.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.2%
−43.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
6.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2012
from 5.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.2%
−95.5 ptssince 2013
from 96.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.8%
+6.1 ptssince 2017
from 90.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.0%
−6.0 ptssince 2016
from 97.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.3%
+2.9 ptssince 2016
from 1.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Waunakee to nearby cities

WAUNAKEE VS
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Income$106,419−15%
Home value$359,600−30%
Population13,094−20%
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WAUNAKEE VS
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Income$89,524−29%
Home value$484,200−6%
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WAUNAKEE VS
Madison
Income$78,050−38%
Home value$372,900−28%
Population286,233+1644%
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WAUNAKEE VS
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Income$120,048−4%
Home value$425,600−18%
Population10,085−39%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Waunakee, Wisconsin?

Waunakee, Wisconsin has about 15,687 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Waunakee, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Waunakee, Wisconsin earns about $125,220 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Waunakee, Wisconsin expensive?

In Waunakee, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $515,900, and the typical rent is about $1,324 a month.

How educated are people in Waunakee, Wisconsin?

About 63.8% of adults age 25 and over in Waunakee, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Waunakee, Wisconsin?

About 2.8% of people in Waunakee, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Waunakee, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Waunakee, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,790 residents, a change of about 166 percent over that period.

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

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