Population 21,123 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Adams County
Household size in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.11 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.11 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.17 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Adams County is a place of small households, averaging 2.17 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.11, even as the national average fell. Only six of Wisconsin's 72 counties have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.3 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 50.5 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 53.0 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 54.4 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.1 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Adams County skews older: half of its residents are older than 54.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 48.3 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Wisconsin's 72 counties, only two are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.0% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.7% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.7% of households in Adams County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 3.6 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Wisconsin's 72 counties, only two have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Adams County
Renters in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.8% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.0% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.7% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.8% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Adams County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 13.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About half of owners (49.6%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 4.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.1% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 50.6% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 43.3% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 39.9% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Adams County: 39.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Only four of Wisconsin's 72 counties have a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Adams County was built around 1983, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Wisconsin as a whole, where the median home dates to 1974. Only six of Wisconsin's 72 counties have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $689 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $735 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $769 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,073 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$384 | +$380 | +$606 |
The median renter in Adams County pays $1,073 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $384 a month since 2006–10, up 56%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.5% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Adams County
Bachelor's degrees in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.5% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Adams County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 17.5%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.5 points, as it has nationally. Adams County has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five Wisconsin counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.0% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.6% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.7% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.6% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.5 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Adams County is close to the national rate: 89.6% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Wisconsin as a whole (93.3%). The share with a diploma is up 5.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.7% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.2%, unemployment in Adams County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Wisconsin as a whole (3.3%). Unemployment has fallen 3.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Adams County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | 2.17 | 54.4 | 5.7% | 13.8% | 39.9% | 1983 | $1,073 | 17.5% | 89.6% | 5.2% |
| Juneau County | 2.28 | 46.2 | 8.8% | 21.9% | 21.2% | 1977 | $913 | 16.6% | 90.4% | 4.3% |
| Marquette County | 2.25 | 50.2 | 7.3% | 18.8% | 26.2% | 1976 | $826 | 16.3% | 92.1% | 2.7% |
| Green Lake County | 2.33 | 46.0 | 9.3% | 25.5% | 18.7% | 1969 | $797 | 22.6% | 91.4% | 2.7% |
| Monroe County | 2.55 | 39.9 | 10.4% | 27.2% | 8.8% | 1979 | $938 | 21.4% | 90.5% | 3.1% |
| La Crosse County | 2.30 | 39.6 | 7.8% | 37.8% | 6.1% | 1978 | $1,159 | 35.3% | 96.6% | 3.1% |
| Winona County | 2.37 | 37.7 | 6.6% | 30.5% | 9.3% | 1968 | $912 | 33.7% | 94.3% | 2.5% |
| Olmsted County | 2.52 | 38.8 | 9.0% | 29.4% | 6.7% | 1987 | $1,440 | 49.1% | 94.9% | 3.6% |
| Dodge County | 2.60 | 38.9 | 10.4% | 13.4% | 5.1% | 1980 | $1,127 | 30.6% | 95.5% | 3.3% |
| Steele County | 2.48 | 40.7 | 10.2% | 20.6% | 5.8% | 1974 | $1,181 | 27.4% | 93.4% | 3.7% |
| Mason County | 2.29 | 47.7 | 8.9% | 21.7% | 23.5% | 1973 | $892 | 26.1% | 94.1% | 4.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Braxton County, WV · Chester County, TN · Pecos County, TX · Bamberg County, SC · La Paz County, AZ · Presque Isle County, MI · Franklin County, ID · Mariposa County, CA · Idaho County, ID · Humboldt County, NV
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Adams County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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