Portage County, WI

County

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2024 Population

70,832

US Senator

Ron Johnson

Republican Party

US Senator

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

0.262% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

10.1%

1.33% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$76,070

3.8% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$243,100

5.51% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

37,937

0.647% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Portage County, 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.

98.8% of the residents in Portage County, WI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Portage County, WI are University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1,847 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Portage County, WI was $243,100, and the homeownership rate was 69.7%.

Most people in Portage County, WI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Portage County, WI was 2 cars per household.

Portage County, WI borders Adams County, WI, Marathon County, WI, Shawano County, WI, Waupaca County, WI, Waushara County, WI, and Wood County, WI.

United States Wisconsin Stevens Point, WI

Population & Diversity

Portage County, WI is home to a population of 70.8k people, from which 98.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 3.07% of Portage County, WI residents were born outside of the country (2.17k people).

In 2024, there were 30.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (63.1k people) in Portage County, WI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.04k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 1.61k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.8%

2024 Citizenship

98.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.8% of Portage County, WI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Portage County, WI was 98.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Portage County, WI

White (Non-Hispanic)
63.1k ± 208
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
2.04k ± 268
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
1.61k ± 301

4.17%

Hispanic Population

2.96k people

4.17% of the people in Portage County, WI are hispanic (2.96k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Portage County, WI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
89,915 ± 7,306 people
India
21,992 ± 3,634 people
China
14,287 ± 2,931 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wisconsin was Mexico, the natal country of 89,915 Wisconsin residents, followed by India with 21,992 and China with 14,287.

Foreign-Born Population

3.07%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

2.17k people

3.13%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

2.21k people

As of 2024, 3.07% of Portage County, WI residents (2.17k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Portage County, WI was 3.13%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,480 ± 221
Gulf War (2001-)
739 ± 181
Gulf War (1990s)
420 ± 135

Portage County, WI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Portage County, WI.

Economy

The economy of Portage County, WI employs 37.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Portage County, WI were Manufacturing (5,715 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,837 people), and Retail Trade (4,079 people), and the highest paying industries were Finance & Insurance ($70,139), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($68,750), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($66,099).

Employment

Occupations

37.9k

2024 Value

± 1,256

0.647%

1 Year growth

± 4.58%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Portage County, WI grew at a rate of 0.647%, from 37.7k employees to 37.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Portage County, WI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,969 people), Management Occupations (3,932 people), and Production Occupations (3,338 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Portage County, WI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

37.9k

2024 Value

± 1,256

0.647%

1 Year growth

± 4.58%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Portage County, WI grew at a rate of 0.647%, from 37.7k employees to 37.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Portage County, WI, are Manufacturing (5,715 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,837 people), and Retail Trade (4,079 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Portage County, WI, though some of these residents may live in Portage County, WI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,216

Median earning men ± $1,818

$36,727

Median earning women ± $1,377

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($96,686), Public Administration ($73,958), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($62,038).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($60,417), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($54,591), and Information ($54,107).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

1.6%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.95M people employed in Wisconsin. This represents a 1.6% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13.3%.

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

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

112
Other Services (except Public Administration)
99
Health Care and Social Assistance
95
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$410k
Finance and Insurance
$286k
Manufacturing
$156k
Health Care and Social Assistance

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Donald J. Trump with 49.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.518%).

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 Portage County, WI. Showing the available data for Wisconsin.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.6%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.7%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.518%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Donald J. Trump with 49.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.518%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wisconsin for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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.

Education

In 2023, universities in Portage County, WI awarded 1,847 degrees. The student population of Portage County, WI in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 3,406 male students and 4,703 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Portage County, WI are White (1,633 and 89.1%), Hispanic or Latino (69 and 3.76%), Asian (41 and 2.24%), and Two or More Races (40 and 2.18%).

The largest universities in Portage County, WI by number of degrees awarded are University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1,847 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Portage County, WI are General Business Administration & Management (134 and 7.26%), Elementary Education & Teaching (92 and 4.98%), and Wildlife, Fish, & Wildlands Science (84 and 4.55%).

The median tuition cost in Portage County, WI for a public four year colleges is $7,112 for in-state students and $16,132 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Portage County, WI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 90.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 8,109 (42% men and 58% 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 2023 there were 8,109 students enrolled in Portage County, WI, 42% men and 58% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 7,001 records, of which 58% were women and 42% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Elementary Education & Teaching
92 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
90 degrees awarded
Wildlife, Fish, & Wildlands Science
84 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Portage County, WI was Elementary Education & Teaching with 92 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,847 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with 1,847 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 732 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Portage County, WI, which is 0.657 times less than the 1,115 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,633 degrees mean that there were 23.7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 69 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

Public, 4-year or above ($7,112) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,722) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($250) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Portage County, WI was $243,100 in 2024, which is 0.731 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $230,400 to $243,100, a 5.51% increase. The homeownership rate in Portage County, WI is 69.7%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Portage County, WI have an average commute time of 19.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Portage County, WI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 10.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Portage County, WI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.52%.

Housing

Property

$243,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,230

$20,695

Median Property Taxes

±$780

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 Portage County, WI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

69.7%

Homeownership

2024

63.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 69.7% of the housing units in Portage County, WI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.3%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$76,070

Median Household Income

± $1,950

29.7k

Number of Households

± 1,053

In 2024, the median household income of the 29.7k households in Portage County, WI grew to $76,070 from the previous year's value of $73,284.

The following chart displays the households in Portage County, 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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Portage County, WI is from Wisconsin.

0.441

2023 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

0.443

2022 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

In 2023, the income inequality in Wisconsin was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.492% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Wisconsin was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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 2024

Drove Alone (74.1%)
Worked At Home (12.6%)
Carpooled (7.74%)

In 2024, 74.1% of workers in Portage County, WI drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (12.6%) and those who carpooled to work (7.74%).

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

19.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Portage County, WI have a shorter commute time (19.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.56% of the workforce in Portage County, WI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 10.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Portage County, WI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.52%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

10.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Portage County, WI (6.86k out of 68k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Portage County, WI is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

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.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 10.4% of the children was living in poverty in Portage County, WI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.8%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children 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.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 113 in Portage County, WI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 6.76 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

95.2% of the population of Portage County, WI has health coverage, with 54.1% on employee plans, 11.5% on Medicaid, 14.2% on Medicare, 14.1% on non-group plans, and 1.34% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Portage County, WI see 2,202 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,202 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1360 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 602 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.9% were men and 49.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,202 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Portage County, WI

Primary care physicians in Portage County, WI see an average of 2,202 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,202 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.8% under 18 years, 25.5% between 18 and 34 years, 35.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.9% were men and 49.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

4.79%

Uninsured

54.1%

Employer Coverage

11.5%

Medicaid

14.2%

Medicare

14.1%

Non-Group

1.34%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Portage County, WI declined by 4.97% from 5.04% to 4.79%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 30.4 in Portage County, WI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Portage County, WI.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 36% in Portage County, WI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Portage County, WI.