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Chief Lake, WI

Wisconsin

Chief Lake is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 645. Residents earn $67,813 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
645 Population 30/sq mi density
$67,813 Median Income $33,777 per capita
$92,100 Home Value
$758 Median Rent 20.5% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature 251 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$67,813 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$92,100 home value, $758/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,813
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $92,100
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.6%
27% lower than US avg
Median Rent $758
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.2%
26% lower than US avg

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

People

Population645
Median Age46.9 yrs
Density30/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 24%
Veterans11.3%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,813
Per Capita$33,777
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty9.2%
County GDP$966M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$92,100
Rent$758
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units525
Rent Burden20.5%

Health

Obesity39.6%
Uninsured10.5%
Smoking25.4%
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease7.3%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F (5°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain40.3 in/yr
Sunny Days251/yr
Elevation1,432 ft (436 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.6%
High School+77.8%
Graduate+10.2%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute17 min
Broadband78.7%
Libraries3

Is Chief Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chief Lake receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Chief Lake stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chief Lake is $67,813, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. 9.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average 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 Chief Lake is $92,100, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $758 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Chief Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. With 251 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 40.3 inches, including 67.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Chief Lake has a population of 645 with a density of 30 people per square mile. The median age is 46.9 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (75%), with 23.6% White.

Population

645
Total Population
30
People / sq mi
46.9yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
21.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.9%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Chief Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.7%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.3%
38% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chief Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chief Lake is $67,813, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Chief Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,813
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,777
Avg Weekly Wage$931
IRS Avg AGI$69,423

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.2%
26% below US avg
Establishments (County)701
County GDP$966M

Business (County)

Restaurants110
Healthcare53
Retail99
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,486
57% above US avg
Cost of Living94.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.96%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.3 min
Drive Alone63.9%
Public Transit1.7%
Work from Home11.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Chief Lake is $92,100, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $758 (35% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$92,100
67% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$758
35% below US avg
Rent Burden20.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.3%
Housing Units525
Median Year Built1979

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,486
57% above US avg
Effective Rate5.96%
In Chief Lake, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.5% of residents lack health insurance. 25.4% are current smokers. 25.8% report depression. 35.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes15.2%
Heart Disease7.3%
High Blood Pressure35.0%
Asthma13.9%
COPD8.3%
Cancer6.3%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking25.4%
81% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity35.1%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress21.0%
Physical Distress18.3%
Short Sleep41.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.3%
Uninsured10.5%
22% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,307
Dentists1:1,856
Mental Health1:309
Checkup Rate75.9%
Dental Visits54.5%
Premature Death11,331/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access66.8%
Healthcare Facilities53
Chief Lake has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.3 inches. The area enjoys 251 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average41.4°F
23% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days251 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.3 inches
6% above US avg
Snowfall67.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,432 ft (436 m)
Area21.3 sq mi (55.3 km²)
Population Density30/sq mi
Coordinates45.9387°N, 91.3359°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55113
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 24.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (27% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16.4-point margin. 78.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.7%
D 41.4%

Winner: Republican by 16.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.6%
27% below US avg
High School+77.8%
Graduate Degree+10.2%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density30/sq mi
Total Area21.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.7%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities53
Restaurants110
Retail Stores99

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.3 min
Drive Alone63.9%
Public Transit1.7%
Work from Home11.8%

Nearby Cities

Little Round Lake, WI 1,233 pop · 2.6 mi Hayward, WI 2,549 pop · 8.7 mi Spooner, WI 2,203 pop · 27.6 mi Shell Lake, WI 1,513 pop · 31.3 mi Ladysmith, WI 3,152 pop · 35.0 mi Rice Lake, WI 9,030 pop · 37.2 mi Cameron, WI 1,763 pop · 41.8 mi Park Falls, WI 2,308 pop · 42.8 mi Cumberland, WI 2,389 pop · 43.3 mi Barron, WI 3,689 pop · 44.5 mi Chetek, WI 2,017 pop · 45.7 mi Phillips, WI 1,546 pop · 48.1 mi Ashland, WI 7,884 pop · 49.7 mi Cornell, WI 1,331 pop · 54.3 mi
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