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CITY · 2020 ACS

Wausau

Wisconsin · 39,994 residents · 19.228 sq mi
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The short version

Wausau has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,438. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $121,100. Households here earn about 25% less than the Wisconsin median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.1
US median: 38.8
Average education
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
39,994
+4%since 2000
from 38,426 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,080 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 1,998 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.1
+4%since 2000
from 36.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
37K38K39K39K40K1990201020202024Wausau
202440K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,438
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,831 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,131
+44%since 2000
from $20,227 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.1%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 22.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.8%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade18.5%
US avg: 10%
Information14.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration7.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade2.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$121,100
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$767
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $473 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.6%
−5.2 ptssince 2000
from 61.7% in 2000
43.4% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+11%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wausau on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.4%(32,802)
Black0.5%(205)
Hispanic / Latino1%(398)
Asian11.4%(4,373)
Other0%
Diversity Score29.1%(11,170)
2020
White, non-Hispanic77.2%(30,857)
Black1.6%(652)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(1,650)
Asian11.8%(4,722)
Other4%(1,614)
Diversity Score46.5%(18,577)
Diversity Score
46
+60%since 2000
from 29 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.4%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 21.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.8%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 80.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.2 min
+53%since 2000
from 9.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.4%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.8%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 9.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 67.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.9%
−29.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
6.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.9%
−82.3 ptssince 2013
from 89.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Wausau

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Pop 39,357
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Pop 40,592
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Head to head

Compare Wausau to nearby cities

WAUSAU VS
Weston
Income$78,207+65%
Home value$229,300+89%
Population15,931−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAUSAU VS
Kronenwetter
Income$115,044+143%
Home value$273,300+126%
Population8,413−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAUSAU VS
Merrill
Income$53,148+12%
Home value$123,800+2%
Population9,389−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAUSAU VS
Antigo
Income$45,520−4%
Home value$104,800−13%
Population8,060−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wausau, Wisconsin?

Wausau, Wisconsin has about 39,994 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wausau, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Wausau, Wisconsin earns about $47,438 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wausau, Wisconsin expensive?

In Wausau, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $121,100, and the typical rent is about $767 a month.

How educated are people in Wausau, Wisconsin?

About 28.4% of adults age 25 and over in Wausau, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wausau, Wisconsin?

About 15.8% of people in Wausau, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wausau, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Wausau, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,934 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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

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