Ashland, WI

Wisconsin

Ashland is a small city in Wisconsin with a population of 7,884. Residents earn $49,258 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
7,884 Population 590/sq mi density
$49,258 Median Income $29,817 per capita
$162,200 Home Value $188,633 Zillow
$697 Median Rent
41°F Avg Temperature
382 Violent Crime/100K 4,453 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$49,258 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$162,200 home value, $697/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
382 violent crimes/100K (1% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
25.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,258
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $162,200
42% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 382/100K
1% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.9%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $697
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.5%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.9%
4% lower than US avg

How Ashland Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population7,884
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density590/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

B+
Median Income$49,258
Per Capita$29,817
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty11.9%
County GDP$929M
Commute13 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$162,200
Rent$697
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$188,633

Crime

F
Violent382/100K
Property4,453/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault333/100K
Burglary555/100K

Health

Obesity42.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.5%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI34 (Good)
Rain32.8 in/yr
Elevation702 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.9%
High School+95.6%
School Score5.43

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 52%
Commute13 min
EV Stations2
Libraries3

Is Ashland a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ashland receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Ashland offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ashland is $49,258, 34% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ashland is $162,200, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $697 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 382 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,453 per 100,000, 127% above the national average.

Education

25.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Ashland has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Ashland has a population of 7,884 with a density of 590 people per square mile. The median age is 40.2 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.2%), with 9.9% Hispanic.

Population

7,884
Total Population
590
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
13.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.9%
Female 47.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Ashland vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ashland vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ashland is $49,258, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: Ashland vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,258
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,817
Avg Weekly Wage$963
IRS Avg AGI$58,769

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.9%
4% below US avg
Establishments (County)627
County GDP$929M

Business (County)

Restaurants66
Healthcare56
Retail89
Manufacturing22

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,239
50% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.7 min
Work from Home8.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Ashland is $162,200, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $697 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $188,633.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$162,200
42% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$188,633

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$697
40% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$737
1 Bedroom$742
2 Bedrooms$973
3 Bedrooms$1,353
4 Bedrooms$1,613

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,239
50% above US avg
Effective Rate3.23%
In Ashland, 42.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.5% report depression. 30.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ashland vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.5%
32% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure30.9%
Asthma12.0%
COPD7.4%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity30.7%
Depression27.5%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.1%
Checkup Rate74.9%
Premature Death12,410/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access68.6%
Healthcare Facilities56
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 382 per 100,000 residents, 1% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,453 per 100,000 (127% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ashland vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent382.4/100K
1% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery49.3/100K
Assault333.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,452.9/100K
127% above US avg
Burglary555.1/100K
Theft3,836.2/100K
Vehicle Theft61.7/100K
Arson12.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ashland has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average41.3°F
24% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
14% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median34.0
RatingGood
Good Days %90.9%
Unhealthy Days1

Geography

Elevation702 ft (214 m)
Area13.4 sq mi (34.6 km²)
Population Density590/sq mi
Coordinates46.5818°N, 90.8719°W
County FIPS55003
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 25.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 4.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 46.9%
D 51.6%

Winner: Democrat by 4.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.9%
23% below US avg
High School+95.6%
School Test Score5.43
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density590/sq mi
Total Area13.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities56
Restaurants66
Retail Stores89

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.7 min
Work from Home8.1%

Nearby Cities

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