La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Metro Area

La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN · Metro Area

170,190Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (2 central, 1 outlying), part of the La Crosse-Onalaska-Sparta, WI-MN combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $73,340
Median home value: $247,400
Land area: 1,795 sq mi

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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
La Crosse County, WI	Central	120,488	$73,013	$257,000
Vernon County, WI	Outlying	31,049	$71,893	$223,800
Houston County, MN	Central	18,653	$79,825	$239,000

Largest cities and towns

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

Place	Type	Population	Median income
La Crosse, WI	City	51,356	$55,866
Onalaska, WI	City	19,348	$85,867
Holmen, WI	Village	11,372	$79,899
Onalaska (Town), WI	Town	5,798	$106,700
West Salem, WI	Village	5,330	$97,019
La Crescent, MN	City	5,251	$85,368
Shelby, WI	Town	4,724	$110,341
Holland, WI	Town	4,528	$119,609
Viroqua, WI	City	4,471	$67,438
Campbell, WI	Town	4,188	$60,202
French Island, WI	CDP	4,188	$60,202
Caledonia, MN	City	2,820	$76,477
Hamilton, WI	Town	2,668	$112,500
Westby, WI	City	2,432	$72,875
Greenfield, WI	Town	2,169	$105,417
Farmington, WI	Town	1,902	$70,550
Brice Prairie, WI	CDP	1,782	$94,408
Viroqua (Town), WI	Town	1,698	$93,182
Bangor, WI	Village	1,517	$81,250
Medary, WI	Town	1,514	$105,114
Barre, WI	Town	1,363	$105,956
Hillsboro, WI	City	1,353	$60,000
Jefferson, WI	Town	1,353	$92,214
Bergen, WI	Town	1,348	$77,250
Spring Grove, MN	City	1,177	$59,625

Also in the La Crosse-Onalaska-Sparta, WI-MN combined area

Sparta, WI · micro · 46,208

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Unemployment

2.9%

College Educated

33.6%

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

$73,340

Mean Household Income

$96,598

Income Distribution

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

Sex Distribution

Male

49.6%

Female

50.4%

Population Split

Male49.6%

Female50.4%

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

German38.4%

Irish12.4%

English7.5%

Polish4.3%

Italian2.8%

French2.5%

Mexican1.3%

Scottish1.2%

African0.2%

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

Naturalized74.9%

Non-Citizen25.1%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later21.7%

Before 201078.3%

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

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

76,850

Median Rent

$1,027/mo

Median Home Value

$247,400

Median Year Built

1977

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

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

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

42,732

College Enrollment

31.2%

High School

18.3%

College Educated

33.6%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

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

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

20.1 min

Drive Alone Rate

75.1%

Public Transit

0.7%

Work From Home

12.0%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

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

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.8%

18-34 Years

24.5%

35-64 Years

35.4%

65+ Years

19.3%

Population Composition

Under 1820.8%

18-3424.5%

35-6435.4%

65+19.3%

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

46.4%

Single Parent

4.6%

Living Alone

31.1%

Avg Size

2.29

Household Types

Married Couples46.4%

Single Parent4.6%

Living Alone31.1%

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

$41,247

SNAP Usage

8.6%

Health Insurance

93.8%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k13.9%

$25k - $50k18.9%

$50k - $100k32.3%

$100k+35.0%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

13.0%

Retail Trade

13.5%

Education & Health Care

28.6%

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

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.2%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

93.8%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

88.0%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

92.8%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

91.8

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

161.8

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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