Eau Claire, WI Metro Area

Eau Claire, WI · Metro Area

173,915Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties, part of the Eau Claire-Menomonie, WI combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $74,595
Median home value: $259,900
Land area: 1,646 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Eau Claire County, WI	Central	107,116	$74,546	$261,000
Chippewa County, WI	Central	66,799	$74,680	$257,900

Largest cities and towns

53 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Eau Claire, WI	City	70,322	$67,395
Chippewa Falls, WI	City	14,782	$57,873
Altoona, WI	City	8,878	$84,552
Washington, WI	Town	7,593	$109,984
Lake Hallie, WI	Village	7,285	$86,740
Lafayette, WI	Town	6,346	$101,651
Pleasant Valley, WI	Town	3,839	$139,659
Stanley, WI	City	3,760	$48,052
Bloomer, WI	City	3,673	$58,106
Seymour, WI	Town	3,300	$107,436
Eagle Point, WI	Town	3,252	$110,654
Lake Wissota, WI	CDP	3,184	$105,150
Wheaton, WI	Town	2,762	$103,053
Union, WI	Town	2,624	$95,217
Anson, WI	Town	2,505	$83,333
Bridge Creek, WI	Town	2,388	$83,413
Brunswick, WI	Town	1,848	$92,426
Seymour (CDP), WI	CDP	1,531	$95,139
Fall Creek, WI	Village	1,493	$86,818
Cadott, WI	Village	1,449	$71,111
Augusta, WI	City	1,341	$53,714
Tilden, WI	Town	1,316	$106,985
Cornell, WI	City	1,307	$55,192
Bloomer (Town), WI	Town	1,246	$78,690
Lincoln, WI	Town	1,177	$111,111

Also in the Eau Claire-Menomonie, WI combined area

Menomonie, WI · micro · 45,527

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Unemployment

College Educated

31.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$74,595

Mean Household Income

$97,224

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.5%

Female

49.5%

Population Split

Male50.5%

Female49.5%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German36.8%

Irish9.9%

English6.9%

Polish5.4%

French2.9%

Italian2.5%

Mexican1.6%

Scottish1.3%

African0.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

2.6%Foreign Born

97.4%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized53.3%

Non-Citizen46.7%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later34.9%

Before 201065.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

76,302

Median Rent

$1,033/mo

Median Home Value

$259,900

Median Year Built

1978

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

40,975

College Enrollment

28.9%

High School

20.3%

College Educated

31.6%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

19.8 min

Drive Alone Rate

76.1%

Public Transit

0.8%

Work From Home

12.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.4%

18-34 Years

25.1%

35-64 Years

36.5%

65+ Years

18.0%

Population Composition

Under 1820.4%

18-3425.1%

35-6436.5%

65+18.0%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.4%

Single Parent

4.5%

Living Alone

29.7%

Avg Size

2.32

Household Types

Married Couples47.4%

Single Parent4.5%

Living Alone29.7%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$40,975

SNAP Usage

11.4%

Health Insurance

94.5%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k12.1%

$25k - $50k19.2%

$50k - $100k32.7%

$100k+36.1%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

14.0%

Retail Trade

16.3%

Education & Health Care

25.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.5%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.5%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

89.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

93.8%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

92.8

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

154.6

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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