Blue River, WI

Wisconsin

Blue River is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 484. Residents earn $56,830 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
484 Population 532/sq mi density
$56,830 Median Income $27,519 per capita
$123,800 Home Value $227,651 Zillow
$685 Median Rent 23.1% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$56,830 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$123,800 home value, $685/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,830
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $123,800
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.2%
82% lower than US avg
Median Rent $685
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.4%
35% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.4%
40% lower than US avg

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

People

Population484
Median Age42.2 yrs
Density532/mi²
Male / Female53% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans4.5%

Economy

A
Median Income$56,830
Per Capita$27,519
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty7.4%
County GDP$1,004M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$123,800
Rent$685
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$227,651
Housing Units278
Rent Burden23.1%

Health

Obesity43.4%
Uninsured9.7%
Smoking18.5%
Depression25.5%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.9 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation675 ft (206 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+6.2%
High School+89.2%
Graduate+3.8%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 43%
Commute22 min
Broadband84.7%
Libraries3

Is Blue River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Blue River receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Blue River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Blue River is $56,830, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. Only 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Blue River is $123,800, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $685 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Blue River experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 33.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Blue River has a population of 484 with a density of 532 people per square mile. The median age is 42.2 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.6%).

Population

484
Total Population
532
People / sq mi
42.2yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.5%
Female 47.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Blue River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.8%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.2%
91% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Blue River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Blue River is $56,830, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Blue River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,830
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,519
Avg Weekly Wage$900
IRS Avg AGI$62,197

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.4%
40% below US avg
Establishments (County)542
County GDP$1,004M

Business (County)

Restaurants35
Healthcare52
Retail57
Manufacturing27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,543
58% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.8 min
Drive Alone84.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Blue River is $123,800, 56% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $685 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $227,651.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$123,800
56% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$227,651

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$165
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$685
41% below US avg
Rent Burden23.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.2%
Housing Units278
Median Year Built1972

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,543
58% above US avg
Effective Rate4.48%
In Blue River, 43.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.7% of residents lack health insurance. 18.5% are current smokers. 25.5% report depression. 32.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.4%
35% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure30.2%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.2%
Cancer7.0%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.5%
32% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity32.9%
Depression25.5%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress14.3%
Short Sleep37.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.6%
Uninsured9.7%
13% above US avg
Checkup Rate73.9%
Dental Visits59.9%
Premature Death7,313/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access43.3%
Healthcare Facilities52
Blue River has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.9 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.9 inches
11% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation675 ft (206 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density532/sq mi
Coordinates43.1844°N, 90.5718°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55103
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 6.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (82% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 13.1-point margin. 84.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56%
D 42.8%

Winner: Republican by 13.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.2%
82% below US avg
High School+89.2%
Graduate Degree+3.8%
School Test Score5.81
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density532/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.7%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities52
Restaurants35
Retail Stores57

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.8 min
Drive Alone84.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.1%

Nearby Cities

Muscoda, WI 1,119 pop · 7.1 mi Boscobel, WI 3,263 pop · 7.2 mi Richland Center, WI 5,030 pop · 14.4 mi Fennimore, WI 2,762 pop · 14.7 mi Lancaster, WI 3,916 pop · 24.3 mi Spring Green, WI 1,499 pop · 25.3 mi Dodgeville, WI 5,013 pop · 26.9 mi Mineral Point, WI 2,575 pop · 29.7 mi Prairie du Chien, WI 5,471 pop · 30.1 mi Viroqua, WI 4,469 pop · 30.4 mi Platteville, WI 11,421 pop · 32.0 mi Hillsboro, WI 1,324 pop · 34.7 mi Lansing, IA 1,111 pop · 34.9 mi Westby, WI 2,380 pop · 35.4 mi
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