River Falls, WI

Wisconsin · Metropolitan Area

River Falls is a small city in Wisconsin with a population of 16,349. Residents earn $78,078 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
16,349 Population 2,200/sq mi density
$78,078 Median Income $34,809 per capita
$299,800 Home Value $399,099 Zillow
$1,050 Median Rent
43°F Avg Temperature
85 Violent Crime/100K 1,993 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$78,078 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$299,800 home value, $1,050/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
85 violent crimes/100K (78% below avg)
A+
Education
4.5 / 5.0
44.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,078
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $299,800
6% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 85/100K
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.1%
31% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,050
10% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.0%
68% lower than US avg

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

People

Population16,349
Median Age27.9 yrs
Density2,200/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$78,078
Per Capita$34,809
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty4.0%
County GDP$1,545M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$299,800
Rent$1,050
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$399,099

Crime

F
Violent85/100K
Property1,993/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault59/100K
Burglary203/100K

Health

Obesity35.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.1 in/yr
Elevation888 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.1%
High School+97.3%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 40%
Commute21 min
Libraries5

Is River Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, River Falls receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. River Falls offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in River Falls is $78,078, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. Only 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in River Falls is $299,800, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,050 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

River Falls is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 85 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,993 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 97.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

River Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

River Falls has a population of 16,349 with a density of 2,200 people per square mile. The median age is 27.9 years, 28% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.6%).

Population

16,349
Total Population
2,200
People / sq mi
27.9yrs
Median Age
28% below US avg
7.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.3%
Female 52.7%

Race & Ethnicity

River Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.6%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.4%
67% below US avg

Social Characteristics

River Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in River Falls is $78,078, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: River Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,078
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$34,809
Avg Weekly Wage$913
IRS Avg AGI$86,110

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.0%
68% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,024
County GDP$1,545M

Business (County)

Restaurants110
Healthcare78
Retail97
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,822
66% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.94%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.4 min
Work from Home10.5%

Walkability

The median home value in River Falls is $299,800, 6% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,050 (10% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $399,099.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$299,800
6% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$399,099
Median List Price$387,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$387,500
$/Sq Ft$179
Homes Sold11
Sale-to-List Ratio99.7%
Price Drops18.8%
Inventory32

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,050
10% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,600

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,822
66% above US avg
Effective Rate1.94%
In River Falls, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.4% report depression. 24.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: River Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma11.0%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.7%
Checkup Rate74.4%
Premature Death5,140/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access73.5%
Healthcare Facilities78
River Falls has a violent crime rate of 85 per 100,000 residents, 78% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,993 per 100,000 (2% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent85.3/100K
78% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape26.2/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault59.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,993.4/100K
2% above US avg
Burglary203.3/100K
Theft1,698.4/100K
Vehicle Theft91.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
River Falls has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.4°F
20% below US avg
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.1 inches
10% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation888 ft (271 m)
Area7.4 sq mi (19.2 km²)
Population Density2,200/sq mi
Coordinates44.8604°N, 92.6253°W
County FIPS55093
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 44.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (31% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.9%
D 40.2%

Winner: Republican by 16.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.1%
31% above US avg
High School+97.3%
School Test Score5.81
A+ Education Grade (4.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,200/sq mi
Total Area7.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities78
Restaurants110
Retail Stores97

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.4 min
Work from Home10.5%

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