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Downing, WI

Wisconsin · Metropolitan Area

Downing is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 250. Residents earn $60,938 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
250 Population 84/sq mi density
$60,938 Median Income $29,164 per capita
$163,900 Home Value $282,756 Zillow
$850 Median Rent 17.5% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$60,938 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$163,900 home value, $850/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,938
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $163,900
42% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.7%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.8%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.0%
68% lower than US avg

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

People

Population250
Median Age41.0 yrs
Density84/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 86%
Veterans5.6%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,938
Per Capita$29,164
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty4.0%
County GDP$6,015M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$163,900
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$282,756
Housing Units101
Rent Burden17.5%

Health

Obesity41.8%
Uninsured8.7%
Smoking16.2%
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.5 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation972 ft (296 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.7%
High School+92.4%
Graduate+7.4%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute35 min
Broadband95.0%
Libraries10

Is Downing a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Downing receives an overall livability score of 3.8 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 long commute times, high obesity rates. Downing offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Downing is $60,938, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Downing is $163,900, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Downing 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.

Downing has a population of 250 with a density of 84 people per square mile. The median age is 41.0 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86%), with 3.2% Hispanic.

Population

250
Total Population
84
People / sq mi
41.0yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
3.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.8%
Female 53.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Downing vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.2%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.8%
27% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Downing vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Downing is $60,938, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Downing vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,938
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,164
Avg Weekly Wage$1,063
IRS Avg AGI$106,523

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.0%
68% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,832
County GDP$6,015M

Business (County)

Restaurants226
Healthcare248
Retail270
Manufacturing172

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,317
80% above US avg
Cost of Living94.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.2 min
Drive Alone81.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Downing is $163,900, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $282,756.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$163,900
42% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$282,756

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden17.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied75.8%
Housing Units101
Median Year Built1957

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,317
80% above US avg
Effective Rate3.85%
In Downing, 41.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.7% of residents lack health insurance. 16.2% are current smokers. 25.8% report depression. 28.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.8%
30% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.2%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.2%
16% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity28.1%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress13.0%
Short Sleep35.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate83.5%
Uninsured8.7%
1% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,901
Dentists1:2,182
Mental Health1:529
Checkup Rate74.1%
Dental Visits64.3%
Premature Death4,919/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.4/10
Exercise Access80.7%
Healthcare Facilities248
Downing 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

Elevation972 ft (296 m)
Area3.0 sq mi (7.7 km²)
Population Density84/sq mi
Coordinates45.0498°N, 92.1243°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55109
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.3-point margin. 95.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.8%
D 39.5%

Winner: Republican by 19.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.7%
53% below US avg
High School+92.4%
Graduate Degree+7.4%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density84/sq mi
Total Area3.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.0%
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities248
Restaurants226
Retail Stores270

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.2 min
Drive Alone81.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.0%

Nearby Cities

Glenwood City, WI 1,218 pop · 2.0 mi Boyceville, WI 1,200 pop · 4.2 mi Woodville, WI 1,497 pop · 10.5 mi Baldwin, WI 4,313 pop · 13.8 mi Tainter Lake, WI 2,753 pop · 14.1 mi Spring Valley, WI 1,260 pop · 14.8 mi Menomonie, WI 16,548 pop · 15.3 mi Clear Lake, WI 1,050 pop · 15.4 mi Hammond, WI 2,071 pop · 16.3 mi Colfax, WI 1,344 pop · 19.8 mi New Richmond, WI 10,334 pop · 20.8 mi Amery, WI 2,959 pop · 21.1 mi Roberts, WI 1,981 pop · 21.6 mi Elk Mound, WI 1,103 pop · 24.6 mi
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