Black River Falls, WI

Wisconsin

Black River Falls is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 3,514. Residents earn $57,712 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
3,514 Population 839/sq mi density
$57,712 Median Income $35,997 per capita
$152,300 Home Value $226,793 Zillow
$718 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
83 Violent Crime/100K 4,127 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$57,712 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$152,300 home value, $718/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
83 violent crimes/100K (78% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,712
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $152,300
46% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 83/100K
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.2%
37% lower than US avg
Median Rent $718
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

How Black River Falls Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,514
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density839/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A
Median Income$57,712
Per Capita$35,997
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$1,372M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$152,300
Rent$718
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$226,793

Crime

F
Violent83/100K
Property4,127/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault28/100K
Burglary443/100K

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.6%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.6 in/yr
Elevation761 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.2%
High School+97.1%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute17 min
EV Stations6
Libraries2

Is Black River Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Black River Falls receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Black River Falls offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Black River Falls is $57,712, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Black River Falls is $152,300, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $718 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Black River Falls is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 83 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,127 per 100,000, 111% above the national average.

Education

21.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Black River Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.6 inches, including 41.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Black River Falls has a population of 3,514 with a density of 839 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 (92.4%), with 5.8% Hispanic.

Population

3,514
Total Population
839
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
4.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.1%
Female 52.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Black River Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Black River Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Black River Falls is $57,712, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Black River Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,712
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,997
Avg Weekly Wage$971
IRS Avg AGI$59,373

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)488
County GDP$1,372M

Business (County)

Restaurants61
Healthcare49
Retail56
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,761
65% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.9 min
Work from Home3.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Black River Falls is $152,300, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $718 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $226,793.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$152,300
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$226,793

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$718
38% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,761
65% above US avg
Effective Rate3.78%
In Black River Falls, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.6% report depression. 28.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Black River Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma11.6%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.8%
Physical Inactivity28.9%
Depression25.6%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.4%
Checkup Rate74.6%
Premature Death9,145/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access39.6%
Healthcare Facilities49
Black River Falls has a violent crime rate of 83 per 100,000 residents, 78% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,127 per 100,000 (111% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Black River Falls vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent83.1/100K
78% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape27.7/100K
Robbery27.7/100K
Assault27.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,127.4/100K
111% above US avg
Burglary443.2/100K
Theft3,462.6/100K
Vehicle Theft221.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Black River Falls has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average44.0°F
19% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.6 inches
6% below US avg
Snowfall41.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation761 ft (232 m)
Area4.2 sq mi (10.9 km²)
Population Density839/sq mi
Coordinates44.2985°N, 90.8428°W
County FIPS55053
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 21.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (37% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.1%
D 39.6%

Winner: Republican by 19.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.2%
37% below US avg
High School+97.1%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density839/sq mi
Total Area4.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities49
Restaurants61
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.9 min
Work from Home3.3%

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