Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Rapids is a small city in Wisconsin with a population of 18,756. Residents earn $54,116 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
18,756 Population 1,349/sq mi density
$54,116 Median Income $30,656 per capita
$116,600 Home Value $214,285 Zillow
$872 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
67 Violent Crime/100K 4,204 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$54,116 median income, 4.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$116,600 home value, $872/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
67 violent crimes/100K (82% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
16.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,116
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $116,600
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 67/100K
82% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.9%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $872
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.7%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.2%
34% lower than US avg

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

People

Population18,756
Median Age38.3 yrs
Density1,349/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,116
Per Capita$30,656
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty8.2%
County GDP$5,836M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$116,600
Rent$872
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$214,285

Crime

F
Violent67/100K
Property4,204/100K
Murder5.6/100K
Assault17/100K
Burglary585/100K

Health

Obesity41.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.4 in/yr
Elevation997 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.9%
High School+92.2%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute21 min
EV Stations3
Libraries5

Is Wisconsin Rapids a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wisconsin Rapids receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Wisconsin Rapids offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wisconsin Rapids is $54,116, 28% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wisconsin Rapids is $116,600, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $872 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Wisconsin Rapids is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 67 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,204 per 100,000, 114% above the national average.

Education

16.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Wisconsin Rapids has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Wisconsin Rapids has a population of 18,756 with a density of 1,349 people per square mile. The median age is 38.3 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.8%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.

Population

18,756
Total Population
1,349
People / sq mi
38.3yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
13.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46%
Female 54%

Race & Ethnicity

Wisconsin Rapids vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.0%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.0%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wisconsin Rapids vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wisconsin Rapids is $54,116, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Wisconsin Rapids vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,116
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,656
Avg Weekly Wage$1,094
IRS Avg AGI$75,853

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.2%
34% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,939
County GDP$5,836M

Business (County)

Restaurants217
Healthcare230
Retail206
Manufacturing75

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,247
78% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.6 min
Work from Home7.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Wisconsin Rapids is $116,600, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $872 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $214,285.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$116,600
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$214,285
Median List Price$190,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$190,950
$/Sq Ft$120
Homes Sold13
Sale-to-List Ratio96.7%
Price Drops24.3%
Inventory37

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$872
25% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,031

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied56.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,247
78% above US avg
Effective Rate5.36%
In Wisconsin Rapids, 41.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.0% report depression. 28.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Wisconsin Rapids vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.7%
30% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure30.8%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.0%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.7%
Physical Inactivity28.8%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.6%
Checkup Rate74.2%
Premature Death5,999/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access70.2%
Healthcare Facilities230
Wisconsin Rapids has a violent crime rate of 67 per 100,000 residents, 82% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,204 per 100,000 (114% above US avg). The murder rate is 5.6 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent66.8/100K
82% below US avg
Murder5.6/100K
12% below US avg
Rape39.0/100K
Robbery5.6/100K
Assault16.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,204.0/100K
114% above US avg
Burglary584.7/100K
Theft3,541.4/100K
Vehicle Theft78.0/100K
Arson16.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Wisconsin Rapids has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.8°F
19% below US avg
January Average15°F (-10°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.4 inches
12% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation997 ft (304 m)
Area13.9 sq mi (36.0 km²)
Population Density1,349/sq mi
Coordinates44.3929°N, 89.8267°W
County FIPS55097
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 16.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 1.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.6%
D 49.8%

Winner: Democrat by 1.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.9%
50% below US avg
High School+92.2%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,349/sq mi
Total Area13.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities230
Restaurants217
Retail Stores206

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.6 min
Work from Home7.7%

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