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Gays Mills, WI

Wisconsin

Gays Mills is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 577. Residents earn $35,682 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
577 Population 118/sq mi density
$35,682 Median Income $28,733 per capita
$156,900 Home Value
$775 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$35,682 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$156,900 home value, $775/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,682
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $156,900
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.7%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.7%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.5%
81% higher than US avg

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

People

Population577
Median Age36.2 yrs
Density118/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans17.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$35,682
Per Capita$28,733
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty22.5%
County GDP$902M
Commute28 min

Housing

A
Home Value$156,900
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units332
Rent Burden27.5%

Health

Obesity41.7%
Uninsured9.1%
Smoking18.3%
Depression28.5%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain37.7 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation720 ft (219 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.7%
High School+96.1%
Graduate+4.4%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 42%
Commute28 min
Broadband76.0%
Libraries3

Is Gays Mills a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gays Mills receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Gays Mills offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gays Mills is $35,682, 53% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. The poverty rate of 22.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gays Mills is $156,900, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Gays Mills experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.7 inches, including 37.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Gays Mills has a population of 577 with a density of 118 people per square mile. The median age is 36.2 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.3%), with 2.3% Hispanic.

Population

577
Total Population
118
People / sq mi
36.2yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.3%
Female 44.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Gays Mills vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Gays Mills vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gays Mills is $35,682, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 22.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Gays Mills vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,682
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,733
Avg Weekly Wage$863
IRS Avg AGI$59,412

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate22.5%
81% above US avg
Establishments (County)504
County GDP$902M

Business (County)

Restaurants57
Healthcare36
Retail75
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,995
71% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.82%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.6 min
Drive Alone56.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Gays Mills is $156,900, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$156,900
44% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Rent Burden27.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.9%
Housing Units332
Median Year Built1983

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,995
71% above US avg
Effective Rate3.82%
In Gays Mills, 41.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.1% of residents lack health insurance. 18.3% are current smokers. 28.5% report depression. 29.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Gays Mills vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.7%
30% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma12.3%
COPD7.2%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.3%
31% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity29.9%
Depression28.5%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress14.4%
Short Sleep37.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Uninsured9.1%
6% above US avg
Checkup Rate76.0%
Dental Visits58.0%
Premature Death6,916/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access54.0%
Healthcare Facilities36
Gays Mills has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.7 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.7 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall37.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation720 ft (219 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²)
Population Density118/sq mi
Coordinates43.3301°N, 90.8462°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 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 13.8-point margin. 76.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.3%
D 42.5%

Winner: Republican by 13.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.7%
53% below US avg
High School+96.1%
Graduate Degree+4.4%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density118/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access76.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities36
Restaurants57
Retail Stores75

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.6 min
Drive Alone56.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.6%

Nearby Cities

Boscobel, WI 3,263 pop · 14.5 mi Viroqua, WI 4,469 pop · 16.0 mi Lansing, IA 1,111 pop · 19.0 mi Westby, WI 2,380 pop · 22.3 mi Muscoda, WI 1,119 pop · 23.1 mi Richland Center, WI 5,030 pop · 23.3 mi Prairie du Chien, WI 5,471 pop · 24.7 mi Fennimore, WI 2,762 pop · 26.2 mi Cashton, WI 1,243 pop · 28.6 mi Waukon, IA 3,796 pop · 32.1 mi Monona, IA 1,618 pop · 33.6 mi Lancaster, WI 3,916 pop · 34.1 mi Hillsboro, WI 1,324 pop · 34.2 mi Caledonia, MN 2,825 pop · 38.9 mi
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