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Melrose, WI

Wisconsin

Melrose is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 637. Residents earn $50,208 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
637 Population 796/sq mi density
$50,208 Median Income $26,125 per capita
$137,500 Home Value $231,514 Zillow
$742 Median Rent 44.2% 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
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$50,208 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$137,500 home value, $742/mo rent
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,208
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $137,500
51% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.8%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent $742
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.9%
20% lower than US avg

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

People

Population637
Median Age36.1 yrs
Density796/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans5.7%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,208
Per Capita$26,125
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty9.9%
County GDP$1,372M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$137,500
Rent$742
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$231,514
Housing Units234
Rent Burden44.2%

Health

Obesity39.5%
Uninsured8.8%
Smoking18.0%
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (7°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.6 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation786 ft (240 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+18.8%
High School+97.2%
Graduate+6.3%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute30 min
Broadband81.5%
Libraries2

Is Melrose a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Melrose 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. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Melrose offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Melrose is $50,208, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. 9.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Melrose is $137,500, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $742 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

18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Melrose has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 14°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 35.6 inches, including 41.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Melrose has a population of 637 with a density of 796 people per square mile. The median age is 36.1 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.9%), with 4.6% Hispanic.

Population

637
Total Population
796
People / sq mi
36.1yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Melrose vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Melrose vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Melrose is $50,208, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Melrose vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,208
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,125
Avg Weekly Wage$971
IRS Avg AGI$59,373

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.9%
20% below US avg
Establishments (County)488
County GDP$1,372M

Business (County)

Restaurants61
Healthcare49
Retail56
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,761
65% above US avg
Cost of Living94.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.19%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.7 min
Drive Alone68.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Melrose is $137,500, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $742 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $231,514.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$137,500
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$231,514

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$742
36% below US avg
Rent Burden44.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.9%
Housing Units234
Median Year Built1958

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,761
65% above US avg
Effective Rate4.19%
In Melrose, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.8% of residents lack health insurance. 18.0% are current smokers. 26.2% report depression. 28.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma11.6%
COPD7.0%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.0%
29% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.3%
Physical Inactivity28.7%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress14.0%
Short Sleep36.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.8%
Uninsured8.8%
2% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,112
Dentists1:1,603
Mental Health1:579
Checkup Rate74.2%
Dental Visits61.1%
Premature Death9,145/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access39.6%
Healthcare Facilities49
Melrose has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.6 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average44.0°F
19% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.6 inches
6% below US avg
Snowfall41.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation786 ft (240 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density796/sq mi
Coordinates44.1312°N, 90.9969°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55053
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.5-point margin. 81.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.1%
D 39.6%

Winner: Republican by 19.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.8%
44% below US avg
High School+97.2%
Graduate Degree+6.3%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density796/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.5%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities49
Restaurants61
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.7 min
Drive Alone68.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.0%

Nearby Cities

Black River Falls, WI 3,514 pop · 13.9 mi Sparta, WI 9,921 pop · 16.2 mi Bangor, WI 1,409 pop · 16.4 mi West Salem, WI 5,268 pop · 16.7 mi Holmen, WI 11,027 pop · 17.3 mi Galesville, WI 1,740 pop · 18.2 mi Onalaska, WI 18,909 pop · 19.6 mi Blair, WI 1,169 pop · 20.2 mi Brice Prairie, WI 1,858 pop · 20.4 mi French Island, WI 4,235 pop · 22.9 mi Whitehall, WI 1,651 pop · 23.1 mi Trempealeau, WI 1,737 pop · 23.2 mi La Crosse, WI 51,791 pop · 24.0 mi Independence, WI 1,477 pop · 24.3 mi
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