West Salem, WI

Full City Profile · Wisconsin · La Crosse County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
5,268 Population 1,573/sq mi density
$90,991 Median Income $38,147 per capita
$269,300 Home Value $383,449 Zillow
$1,142 Median Rent 26.3% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
113 Violent Crime/100K 1,169 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$90,991 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$269,300 home value, $1,142/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
113 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
4.5 / 5.0
44.1% bachelor's degree or higher

West Salem, WI

At a Glance

Median Income
$90,991
21% above
$38,147 per capita
Home Value
$269,300
4% below
Zillow: $383,449
Median Rent
$1,142/mo
2% below
26.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
113/100K
70% below
1,169/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
44.1%
31% above
96.8% high school+
Unemployment
3.0%
17% below
4.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.2%
16% above
11.6% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
49°F

How West Salem Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows West Salem's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
121%
Home Value
96%
Rent
98%
Poverty
40%
Bachelor's
131%
Unemployment
83%
Crime
30%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is West Salem a Good Place to Live?

B+
3.8 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

West Salem residents earn a median household income of $90,991 , which is 21% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $38,147. The unemployment rate stands at 3.0% (17% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 3,551 business establishments, including 350 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in West Salem is $269,300 , 4% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $383,449. Median rent is $1,142/month, with 26.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1982.

Safety & Crime

West Salem reports 113 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 70% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,169/100K.

Education

44.1% of adults in West Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher (31% above the national average). 96.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

West Salem has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Data Overview

People

Population5,268
Median Age40.5 yrs
Density1,573/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born1.6%
Veterans8.9%

Economy

A+
Median Income$90,991
Per Capita$38,147
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty4.9%
County GDP$9,934M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,124

Housing

A+
Home Value$269,300
Rent$1,142
Ownership78.8%
Zillow$383,449
Housing Units2,163
Rent Burden26.3%

Crime

F
Violent113/100K
Property1,169/100K

Health

Obesity37.2%
Diabetes8.1%
Smoking11.6%
Heart Disease4.7%
Premature Death6,575/100K

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
Rain35.2 in/yr
AQI37 (Good)
Elevation744 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.1%
High School+96.8%
Graduate+14.2%
School Score6.1/10

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 54%
Commute20 min
Broadband92.7%
Internet Speed166 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries8

Did You Know?

West Salem was founded in 1856.
The median home in West Salem was built in 1982.
The nearest airport is La Crosse Regional (9 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.458 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
9.5% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 166 Mbps.
There are 350 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 6 fatal vehicle crashes.