Waupaca, WI

Wisconsin

Waupaca is a small city in Wisconsin with a population of 6,314. Residents earn $52,586 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
6,314 Population 797/sq mi density
$52,586 Median Income $35,123 per capita
$177,600 Home Value $310,898 Zillow
$748 Median Rent 24.0% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature
415 Violent Crime/100K 4,286 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$52,586 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$177,600 home value, $748/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
415 violent crimes/100K (9% above avg)
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,586
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $177,600
37% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 415/100K
9% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.8%
26% lower than US avg
Median Rent $748
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population6,314
Median Age42.5 yrs
Density797/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B+
Median Income$52,586
Per Capita$35,123
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$919M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$177,600
Rent$748
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$310,898
Rent Burden24.0%

Crime

F
Violent415/100K
Property4,286/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault382/100K
Burglary432/100K

Health

Obesity37.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.8 in/yr
Elevation842 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.8%
High School+92.0%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute27 min
EV Stations2
Libraries8

Is Waupaca a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waupaca is $52,586, 30% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waupaca is $177,600, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $748 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 415 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,286 per 100,000, 119% above the national average.

Education

24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Waupaca has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.8 inches, including 49.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Waupaca has a population of 6,314 with a density of 797 people per square mile. The median age is 42.5 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.6%), with 1.2% Black.

Population

6,314
Total Population
797
People / sq mi
42.5yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
7.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54%
Female 46%

Race & Ethnicity

Waupaca vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.1%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Waupaca vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waupaca is $52,586, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Waupaca vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,586
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,123
Avg Weekly Wage$841
IRS Avg AGI$61,360

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)571
County GDP$919M

Business (County)

Restaurants67
Healthcare40
Retail66
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,229
49% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.94%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.4 min
Work from Home11.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Waupaca is $177,600, 37% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $748 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $310,898.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$177,600
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$310,898

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$748
36% below US avg
Rent Burden24.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$764
1 Bedroom$779
2 Bedrooms$973
3 Bedrooms$1,283
4 Bedrooms$1,288

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied56.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,229
49% above US avg
Effective Rate2.94%
In Waupaca, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.6% report depression. 26.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma11.4%
COPD6.1%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.8%
Physical Inactivity26.4%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.9%
Checkup Rate75.0%
Premature Death8,261/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access30.9%
Healthcare Facilities40
Waupaca has a violent crime rate of 415 per 100,000 residents, 9% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,286 per 100,000 (119% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent415.3/100K
9% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery33.2/100K
Assault382.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,285.7/100K
119% above US avg
Burglary431.9/100K
Theft3,704.3/100K
Vehicle Theft149.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Waupaca has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average44.8°F
17% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.8 inches
11% below US avg
Snowfall49.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation842 ft (257 m)
Area7.9 sq mi (20.5 km²)
Population Density797/sq mi
Coordinates44.3500°N, 89.0700°W
County FIPS55137
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67%
D 31.8%

Winner: Republican by 35.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.8%
26% below US avg
High School+92.0%
School Test Score5.95
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density797/sq mi
Total Area7.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants67
Retail Stores66

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.4 min
Work from Home11.1%

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