Grafton, WI

Wisconsin · Metropolitan Area

Grafton is a small city in Wisconsin with a population of 12,274. Residents earn $88,634 per year, which is 18% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
12,274 Population 2,303/sq mi density
$88,634 Median Income $46,937 per capita
$301,300 Home Value $437,158 Zillow
$1,162 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
87 Violent Crime/100K 1,179 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$88,634 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$301,300 home value, $1,162/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
87 violent crimes/100K (77% below avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
44.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $88,634
18% higher than US avg
Home Value $301,300
7% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 87/100K
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.4%
32% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,162
0% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.5%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.3%
90% lower than US avg

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

People

Population12,274
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density2,303/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A+
Median Income$88,634
Per Capita$46,937
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty1.3%
County GDP$7,073M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$301,300
Rent$1,162
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$437,158

Crime

F
Violent87/100K
Property1,179/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault78/100K
Burglary61/100K

Health

Obesity30.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.9%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.5 in/yr
Elevation763 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.4%
High School+97.8%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 55% / D 44%
Commute25 min
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Grafton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Grafton receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Grafton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Grafton is $88,634, 18% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Grafton is $301,300, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,162 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Grafton is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 87 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,179 per 100,000, 40% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 97.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Grafton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Grafton has a population of 12,274 with a density of 2,303 people per square mile. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.1%), with 2.4% Black.

Population

12,274
Total Population
2,303
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Grafton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.8%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.2%
54% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Grafton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Grafton is $88,634, which is 18% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Grafton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$88,634
18% above US avg
Per Capita Income$46,937
Avg Weekly Wage$1,133
IRS Avg AGI$138,207

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.3%
90% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,167
County GDP$7,073M

Business (County)

Restaurants233
Healthcare389
Retail307
Manufacturing179

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,433
141% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.5 min
Work from Home13.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Grafton is $301,300, 7% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,162 (0% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $437,158.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$301,300
7% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$437,158
Median List Price$522,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$522,450
$/Sq Ft$278
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio104.2%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory36

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,162
0% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,038

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,433
141% above US avg
Effective Rate2.80%
In Grafton, 30.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.9% report depression. 21.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.5%
5% below US avg
Diabetes7.8%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure24.6%
Asthma10.5%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity21.0%
Depression23.9%
Mental Distress15.5%
Physical Distress10.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.4%
Checkup Rate76.7%
Premature Death4,855/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access96.1%
Healthcare Facilities389
Grafton has a violent crime rate of 87 per 100,000 residents, 77% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,179 per 100,000 (40% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Grafton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent86.7/100K
77% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape8.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault78.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,178.9/100K
40% below US avg
Burglary60.7/100K
Theft1,118.2/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Grafton has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.5 inches
7% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation763 ft (233 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.8 km²)
Population Density2,303/sq mi
Coordinates43.3207°N, 87.9476°W
County FIPS55089
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 44.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 10.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.6%
D 44.1%

Winner: Republican by 10.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.4%
32% above US avg
High School+97.8%
School Test Score5.81
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,303/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities389
Restaurants233
Retail Stores307

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.5 min
Work from Home13.0%

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