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Balsam Lake, WI

Wisconsin

Balsam Lake is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 819. Residents earn $48,468 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
819 Population 367/sq mi density
$48,468 Median Income $33,205 per capita
$188,600 Home Value $398,059 Zillow
$1,063 Median Rent 33.1% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
414 Violent Crime/100K 1,965 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$48,468 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$188,600 home value, $1,063/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
414 violent crimes/100K (9% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,468
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $188,600
33% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 414/100K
9% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.1%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,063
9% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.3%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.8%
5% lower than US avg

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

People

Population819
Median Age50.6 yrs
Density367/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans5.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$48,468
Per Capita$33,205
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty11.8%
County GDP$2,185M
Commute25 min

Housing

A
Home Value$188,600
Rent$1,063
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$398,059
Housing Units612
Rent Burden33.1%

Crime

F
Violent414/100K
Property1,965/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault207/100K
Burglary414/100K

Health

Obesity35.3%
Uninsured8.0%
Smoking15.0%
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.5 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation1,147 ft (350 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+88.1%
Graduate+5.2%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute25 min
Broadband77.8%
Libraries10

Is Balsam Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Balsam Lake receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Balsam Lake has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Balsam Lake is $48,468, 36% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Balsam Lake is $188,600, 33% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,063 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 414 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,965 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Balsam Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Balsam Lake has a population of 819 with a density of 367 people per square mile. The median age is 50.6 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.8%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

819
Total Population
367
People / sq mi
50.6yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
2.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.3%
Female 47.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Balsam Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Balsam Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Balsam Lake is $48,468, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Balsam Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,468
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,205
Avg Weekly Wage$919
IRS Avg AGI$72,536

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.8%
5% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,311
County GDP$2,185M

Business (County)

Restaurants136
Healthcare106
Retail164
Manufacturing95

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,702
63% above US avg
Cost of Living94.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.02%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.6 min
Drive Alone74.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Balsam Lake is $188,600, 33% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,063 (9% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $398,059.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$188,600
33% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$398,059

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,063
9% below US avg
Rent Burden33.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.7%
Housing Units612
Median Year Built1977

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,702
63% above US avg
Effective Rate3.02%
In Balsam Lake, 35.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.0% of residents lack health insurance. 15.0% are current smokers. 24.4% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Balsam Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.3%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure28.9%
Asthma10.9%
COPD5.8%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.0%
7% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.2%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress12.2%
Short Sleep29.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.2%
Uninsured8.0%
7% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,262
Dentists1:1,693
Mental Health1:462
Checkup Rate73.5%
Dental Visits67.8%
Premature Death7,642/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access65.3%
Healthcare Facilities106
Balsam Lake has a violent crime rate of 414 per 100,000 residents, 9% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,965 per 100,000 (0% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent413.7/100K
9% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape206.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault206.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,964.8/100K
0% below US avg
Burglary413.7/100K
Theft1,344.4/100K
Vehicle Theft206.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Balsam Lake has an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.5 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.5°F
19% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.5 inches
9% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,147 ft (350 m)
Area2.2 sq mi (5.8 km²)
Population Density367/sq mi
Coordinates45.4620°N, 92.4471°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55095
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.9-point margin. 77.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.9%
D 33.9%

Winner: Republican by 30.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.1%
40% below US avg
High School+88.1%
Graduate Degree+5.2%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density367/sq mi
Total Area2.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access77.8%
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities106
Restaurants136
Retail Stores164

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.6 min
Drive Alone74.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.2%

Nearby Cities

Luck, WI 1,185 pop · 8.0 mi St. Croix Falls, WI 2,469 pop · 9.3 mi Dresser, WI 1,037 pop · 11.4 mi Amery, WI 2,959 pop · 11.6 mi Taylors Falls, MN 1,208 pop · 11.7 mi Frederic, WI 1,148 pop · 13.2 mi Osceola, WI 2,818 pop · 15.6 mi Shafer, MN 1,151 pop · 15.9 mi Clear Lake, WI 1,050 pop · 17.2 mi Lindstrom, MN 4,933 pop · 19.9 mi Cumberland, WI 2,389 pop · 21.1 mi New Richmond, WI 10,334 pop · 23.7 mi Scandia, MN 3,966 pop · 23.7 mi Chisago City, MN 5,629 pop · 23.9 mi
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