Wausau, WI Metro Area

Wausau, WI · Metro Area

138,403Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Wausau-Stevens Point-Wisconsin Rapids, WI combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $77,884
Median home value: $219,600
Land area: 1,545 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
Marathon County, WI	Central	138,403	$77,884	$219,600

Largest cities and towns

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

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Wausau, WI	City	39,996	$64,389
Weston, WI	Village	15,749	$78,207
Kronenwetter, WI	Village	8,395	$115,044
Rib Mountain (CDP), WI	CDP	7,289	$94,294
Rib Mountain, WI	Town	7,289	$94,294
Rothschild, WI	Village	5,600	$88,261
Mosinee, WI	City	4,498	$73,479
Maine, WI	Village	2,602	$110,721
Stettin, WI	Town	2,572	$104,697
Mosinee (Town), WI	Town	2,536	$101,500
Wausau (Town), WI	Town	2,229	$75,750
Schofield, WI	City	2,120	$65,583
McMillan, WI	Town	2,117	$112,917
Abbotsford, WI	City	2,024	$68,580
Texas, WI	Town	1,984	$86,875
Colby, WI	City	1,907	$50,114
Spencer, WI	Village	1,686	$69,750
Spencer (Town), WI	Town	1,679	$100,988
Cleveland, WI	Town	1,595	$100,705
Knowlton, WI	Town	1,584	$93,043
Ringle, WI	Town	1,446	$91,625
Stratford, WI	Village	1,438	$66,739
Marathon City, WI	Village	1,422	$89,519
Edgar, WI	Village	1,409	$63,482
Easton, WI	Town	1,246	$104,643

Also in the Wausau-Stevens Point-Wisconsin Rapids, WI combined area

Wisconsin Rapids-Marshfield, WI · micro · 74,004 Stevens Point-Plover, WI · micro · 70,832

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Unemployment

2.9%

College Educated

28.1%

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

$77,884

Mean Household Income

$97,899

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

German46.9%

Polish14.5%

Irish7.9%

English5.8%

Mexican2.4%

French2.3%

Italian2.0%

Scottish0.7%

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

4.3%Foreign Born

95.7%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized56.4%

Non-Citizen43.6%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later32.5%

Before 201067.5%

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

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

60,910

Median Rent

$999/mo

Median Home Value

$219,600

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

29,464

College Enrollment

13.2%

High School

24.2%

College Educated

28.1%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

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

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

19.1 min

Drive Alone Rate

76.2%

Public Transit

0.2%

Work From Home

12.9%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

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

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.5%

18-34 Years

19.3%

35-64 Years

39.0%

65+ Years

19.2%

Population Composition

Under 1822.5%

18-3419.3%

35-6439.0%

65+19.2%

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

51.3%

Single Parent

4.6%

Living Alone

28.4%

Avg Size

2.36

Household Types

Married Couples51.3%

Single Parent4.6%

Living Alone28.4%

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

$41,413

SNAP Usage

9.9%

Health Insurance

94.2%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k11.4%

$25k - $50k18.0%

$50k - $100k33.4%

$100k+37.0%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

20.7%

Retail Trade

9.8%

Education & Health Care

24.1%

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

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.8%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.2%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

90.0%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

94.2%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

92.7

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

180.3

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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