Prairie du Chien, WI

Wisconsin

Prairie du Chien is a small city in Wisconsin with a population of 5,471. Residents earn $52,670 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
5,471 Population 927/sq mi density
$52,670 Median Income $29,861 per capita
$152,100 Home Value $208,083 Zillow
$840 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
174 Violent Crime/100K 2,050 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$52,670 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$152,100 home value, $840/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
174 violent crimes/100K (54% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,670
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $152,100
46% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 174/100K
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.5%
51% lower than US avg
Median Rent $840
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.2%
34% lower than US avg

How Prairie du Chien Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,471
Median Age45.7 yrs
Density927/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B+
Median Income$52,670
Per Capita$29,861
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty8.2%
County GDP$780M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$152,100
Rent$840
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$208,083

Crime

F
Violent174/100K
Property2,050/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault122/100K
Burglary104/100K

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain37.7 in/yr
Elevation641 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.5%
High School+92.3%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute15 min
EV Stations1
Libraries6

Is Prairie du Chien a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Prairie du Chien is $52,670, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Prairie du Chien is $152,100, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $840 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Prairie du Chien is below the national average at 174 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,050 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Prairie du Chien experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.7 inches, including 33.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Prairie du Chien has a population of 5,471 with a density of 927 people per square mile. The median age is 45.7 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%), with 2.2% Hispanic, 2.3% Black.

Population

5,471
Total Population
927
People / sq mi
45.7yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
5.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Prairie du Chien vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Prairie du Chien vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Prairie du Chien is $52,670, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Prairie du Chien vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,670
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,861
Avg Weekly Wage$881
IRS Avg AGI$64,956

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.2%
34% below US avg
Establishments (County)472
County GDP$780M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare30
Retail63
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,042
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.6 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Prairie du Chien is $152,100, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $840 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $208,083.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$152,100
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$208,083

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$840
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,042
13% below US avg
Effective Rate2.00%
In Prairie du Chien, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 30.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Prairie du Chien vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes11.2%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure33.1%
Asthma11.6%
COPD7.2%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.8%
Physical Inactivity30.4%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.6%
Checkup Rate75.5%
Premature Death6,990/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access55.6%
Healthcare Facilities30
Prairie du Chien has a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, 54% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,050 per 100,000 (5% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Prairie du Chien vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent173.7/100K
54% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape52.1/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault121.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,049.7/100K
5% above US avg
Burglary104.2/100K
Theft1,945.5/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Prairie du Chien has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.7°F
12% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.7 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall33.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation641 ft (195 m)
Area5.9 sq mi (15.3 km²)
Population Density927/sq mi
Coordinates43.0433°N, 91.1373°W
County FIPS19005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.5%
D 32.2%

Winner: Republican by 34.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.5%
51% below US avg
High School+92.3%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density927/sq mi
Total Area5.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants36
Retail Stores63

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.6 min
Work from Home3.1%

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