La Crosse, WI

Census Place

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2021 Population

52,505

1.87% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ron Johnson

Republican Party

US Senator

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

29.4

0.685% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

22.1%

3.66% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$47,067

1.35% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$161,200

7.11% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

27,743

2.65% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, La Crosse, WI had a population of 52.5k people with a median age of 29.4 and a median household income of $47,067. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of La Crosse, WI grew from 51,543 to 52,505, a 1.87% increase and its median household income grew from $46,438 to $47,067, a 1.35% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in La Crosse, WI are White (Non-Hispanic) (88.4%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.07%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.23%), and White (Hispanic) (1.19%).

None of the households in La Crosse, WI reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.3% of the residents in La Crosse, WI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in La Crosse, WI are University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (2,715 degrees awarded in 2021), Western Technical College (240170) (1,273 degrees), and Viterbo University (1,088 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in La Crosse, WI was $161,200, and the homeownership rate was 45.8%.

Most people in La Crosse, WI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.2 minutes. The average car ownership in La Crosse, WI was 2 cars per household.

United States Wisconsin La Crosse County, WI La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN La Crosse County PUMA, WI

Population & Diversity

La Crosse, WI is home to a population of 52.5k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 2.49% of La Crosse, WI residents were born outside of the country (1.31k people).

In 2021, there were 21.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (46.4k people) in La Crosse, WI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.14k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 1.31k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.3%

2021 Citizenship

98.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 99.3% of La Crosse, WI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in La Crosse, WI was 98.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in La Crosse, WI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in La Crosse, WI

White (Non-Hispanic)
46.4k ± 546
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
2.14k ± 421
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
1.31k ± 345

2.41%

Hispanic Population

1.27k people

2.41% of the people in La Crosse, WI are hispanic (1.27k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in La Crosse, WI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Wisconsin.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
83,507 ± 7,044 people
India
24,549 ± 3,839 people
China
15,404 ± 3,043 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wisconsin was Mexico, the natal country of 83,507 Wisconsin residents, followed by India with 24,549 and China with 15,404.

Foreign-Born Population

2.49%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.31k people

2.85%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.47k people

As of 2021, 2.49% of La Crosse, WI residents (1.31k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in La Crosse, WI was 2.85%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in La Crosse, WI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
664 ± 150
Gulf War (1990s)
488 ± 258
Gulf War (2001-)
461 ± 147

La Crosse, WI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.36 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of La Crosse, WI employs 27.7k people. The largest industries in La Crosse, WI are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,497 people), Retail Trade (3,915 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (3,237 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($64,081), Utilities ($54,207), and Public Administration ($53,762).

Males in Wisconsin have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,441. The income inequality in Wisconsin (measured using the Gini index) is 0.443, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

27.7k

2021 Value

± 1,255

2.65%

1 Year growth

± 6.15%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in La Crosse, WI grew at a rate of 2.65%, from 27k employees to 27.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in La Crosse, WI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,166 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,904 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,851 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of La Crosse, WI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Wisconsin (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

27.7k

2021 Value

± 1,255

2.65%

1 Year growth

± 6.15%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in La Crosse, WI grew at a rate of 2.65%, from 27k employees to 27.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in La Crosse, WI, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,497 people), Retail Trade (3,915 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (3,237 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of La Crosse, WI, though some of these residents may live in La Crosse, WI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$37,001

Median earning men ± $2,718

$24,501

Median earning women ± $2,337

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($64,154), Public Administration ($54,156), and Wholesale Trade ($47,015).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Information ($62,292), Public Administration ($53,508), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($40,125).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Wisconsin. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Wisconsin.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Wisconsin product (by dollars) was Other foodstuffs with $43.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($37.7B) and Machinery ($34.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Wisconsin products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Wisconsin.

$348B

2020 Value in Wisconsin

$614B

Projected 2050 Value in Wisconsin

76.2% growth

In 2020, total outbound Wisconsin trade was $348B. This is expected to increase 76.2% to $614B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Wisconsin trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$35.8B
Minnesota
$17.7B
Michigan
$15.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Wisconsin domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $35.8B, followed by Minnesota with $17.7B and Michigan and $15.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Wisconsin shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 49.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (48.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.17%).

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing the state of Wisconsin. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for La Crosse, WI. Showing the available data for Wisconsin.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (49.4%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (48.8%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.17%)
Independent Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 49.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (48.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.17%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wisconsin for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Wisconsin

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

Ron Johnson

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tammy Baldwin

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing Wisconsin.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Wisconsin over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Wisconsin

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Wisconsin have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in La Crosse, WI awarded 5,076 degrees. The student population of La Crosse, WI in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 6,714 male students and 10,106 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in La Crosse, WI are White (4,397 and 87.8%), followed by Two or More Races (170 and 3.4%), Hispanic or Latino (143 and 2.86%), and Asian (116 and 2.32%).

The largest universities in La Crosse, WI by number of degrees awarded are University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (2,715 and 53.5%), Western Technical College (240170) (1,273 and 25.1%), and Viterbo University (1,088 and 21.4%).

The most popular majors in La Crosse, WI are General Biological Sciences (271 and 5.34%), Registered Nursing (255 and 5.02%), and General Business Administration & Management (253 and 4.98%).

The median tuition costs in La Crosse, WI are $29,230 for private four year colleges, and $7,585 and $16,404 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in La Crosse, WI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 74.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 39.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 16,820 (39.9% men and 60.1% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 16,820 students enrolled in La Crosse, WI, 39.9% men and 60.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 14,369 records, of which 60.4% were women and 39.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
246 degrees awarded
General Psychology
217 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
189 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in La Crosse, WI was General Biological Sciences with 246 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in La Crosse, WI according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
2,715 degrees awarded
Western Technical College (240170)
1,273 degrees awarded
Viterbo University
1,088 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with 2,715 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,974 men were awarded degrees from institutions in La Crosse, WI, which is 0.636 times less than the 3,102 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 4,397 degrees mean that there were 25.9 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 170 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($29,230) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,610) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,976) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

Measure

In 2021, 0.664% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.589% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.4M), Some college (1.03M), and Bachelors Degree (900k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in La Crosse, WI was $161,200 in 2021, which is 0.658 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $150,500 to $161,200, a 7.11% increase. The homeownership rate in La Crosse, WI is 45.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in La Crosse, WI have an average commute time of 16.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in La Crosse, WI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in La Crosse, WI is $47,067. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in La Crosse, WI was Census Tract 102.02 with a value of $95,186, followed by Census Tract 106 and Census Tract 107, with respective values of $86,585 and $74,416.

Housing

Property

$161,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,052

$10,136

Median Property Taxes

±$653

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In La Crosse, WI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in La Crosse, WI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

45.8%

Homeownership

2021

60.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 45.8% of the housing units in La Crosse, WI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 45.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in La Crosse, WI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 102.02
Census Tract 106
Census Tract 107

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in La Crosse, WI was Census Tract 102.02 with a value of $95,186, followed by Census Tract 106 and Census Tract 107, with respective values of $86,585 and $74,416.

The following map shows all of the places in La Crosse, WI colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$47,067

Median Household Income

± $2,241

22.1k

Number of Households

± 1,139

In 2021, the median household income of the 22.1k households in La Crosse, WI grew to $47,067 from the previous year's value of $46,438.

The following chart displays the households in La Crosse, WI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for La Crosse, WI is from Wisconsin.

0.443

2021 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

0.445

2020 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

In 2021, the income inequality in Wisconsin was 0.443 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.429% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Wisconsin was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Wisconsin in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Wisconsin across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (74.2%)
Carpooled (8.34%)
Walked (7.25%)

In 2021, 74.2% of workers in La Crosse, WI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.34%) and those who walked to work (7.25%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

16.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in La Crosse, WI have a shorter commute time (16.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.07% of the workforce in La Crosse, WI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in La Crosse, WI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in La Crosse, WI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in La Crosse, WI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

22.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in La Crosse, WI (10.6k out of 48.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in La Crosse, WI is White, followed by Black and Asian.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

94.5% of the population of La Crosse, WI has health coverage, with 58.8% on employee plans, 12.9% on Medicaid, 11% on Medicare, 10.7% on non-group plans, and 1.05% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in La Crosse County, WI see 690 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.83% decrease from the previous year (725 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1049 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 290 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for La Crosse County, WI.

690 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in La Crosse County, WI

Primary care physicians in La Crosse County, WI see an average of 690 patients per year. This represents a 4.83% decrease from the previous year (725 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in La Crosse County, WI in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.8% under 18 years, 39.1% between 18 and 34 years, 27.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.8% were men and 53.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.47%

Uninsured

58.8%

Employer Coverage

12.9%

Medicaid

11%

Medicare

10.7%

Non-Group

1.05%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in La Crosse, WI grew by 1.09% from 5.41% to 5.47%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in La Crosse, WI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.