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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Rusk County

Wisconsin · 14,188 residents · 913.553 sq mi
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The short version

Rusk County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,961. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $111,900. With a median age of 49.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 49.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% 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
14,188
−8%since 2000
from 15,347 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
16 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 17 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
49.8
+24%since 2000
from 40.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K14K15K15K15K1990201020202024Rusk County
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,961
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,344 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,212
+75%since 2000
from $15,563 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.8%
+9.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24.3%
US avg: 10%
Information11.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction7%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$111,900
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$678
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $371 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.7% in 2000
23.0% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+9%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rusk County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.4%(14,941)
Black0.5%(78)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(116)
Asian0.2%(38)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.8%(580)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.6%(13,287)
Black0.3%(44)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(250)
Asian0.4%(53)
Other2.8%(397)
Diversity Score12.8%(1,811)
Segregation Score8.9%(1,267)
Diversity Score
13
+238%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
9
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.9%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.7%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 79.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.2 min
+61%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.4%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 74.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.4%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.2%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 60.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
25.1%
−35.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
49.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.4%
−80.9 ptssince 2013
from 88.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rusk County

Washington County
Pop 14,822
Towns County
Pop 13,285
Carroll County
Pop 15,419
Clay County
Pop 12,793
Places similar to Rusk County
Head to head

Compare Rusk County to nearby counties

RUSK COUNTY VS
Sawyer County
Income$60,801+24%
Home value$236,200+111%
Population18,846+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSK COUNTY VS
Chippewa County
Income$74,680+53%
Home value$257,900+130%
Population67,614+378%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSK COUNTY VS
Barron County
Income$65,933+35%
Home value$216,600+94%
Population46,484+229%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSK COUNTY VS
Taylor County
Income$69,350+42%
Home value$197,100+76%
Population20,118+42%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rusk County, Wisconsin?

Rusk County, Wisconsin has about 14,188 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rusk County, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Rusk County, Wisconsin earns about $48,961 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rusk County, Wisconsin expensive?

In Rusk County, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $111,900, and the typical rent is about $678 a month.

How educated are people in Rusk County, Wisconsin?

About 16.9% of adults age 25 and over in Rusk County, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rusk County, Wisconsin?

About 11.3% of people in Rusk County, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rusk County, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Rusk County, Wisconsin has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 891 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 9605Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9604Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9602
7 ZIP codes
ZIP 54848ZIP 54819ZIP 54563ZIP 54895ZIP 54530ZIP 54731ZIP 54526
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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