Population 6,540 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wisconsin Dells
Household size in Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.28 | 2.43 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.44 | 2.41 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.22 | 2.39 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.29 | 2.30 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.13 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Wisconsin Dells is a place of small households, averaging 2.29 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. The picture is much the same across the Madison area. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northeast.
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 Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.8 | 37.0 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.1 | 37.9 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.5 | 38.3 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.9 | 38.9 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +1.9 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.9, Wisconsin Dells is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 42.8, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the southwest, the oldest in the north.
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 Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 8.7% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 8.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 8.0% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 8.2% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Wisconsin Dells: 5.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 5.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Wisconsin Dells has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Wisconsin cities.
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 Wisconsin Dells
Renters in Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.2% | 35.1% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.2% | 38.3% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.0% | 38.9% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 26.8% | 39.7% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +4.5 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Wisconsin Dells own their homes; 26.8% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 42.0% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the south and least common in the northeast. The renter share has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.8% | 8.9% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.2% | 6.3% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.2% | 5.7% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.8% | 5.5% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −3.4 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 23.8% of the housing in Wisconsin Dells, 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 five of the 200 Wisconsin cities with 5,000+ people 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 Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1976 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1978 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1979 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1983 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +7 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Wisconsin Dells was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1975 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $662 | $868 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $718 | $950 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $840 | $1,072 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,055 | $1,366 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$393 | +$498 | +$380 | +$606 |
The median renter in Wisconsin Dells pays $1,055 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $393 a month from 2006–10, a 59% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.1% 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 south; the highest are in the northeast.
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 Wisconsin Dells
Bachelor's degrees in Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.1% | 41.3% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.1% | 43.6% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.3% | 46.9% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.0% | 50.6% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Wisconsin Dells: 22.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.9 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the northwest.
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 Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.8% | 93.8% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.6% | 94.4% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.4% | 95.2% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.3% | 95.1% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +1.3 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Wisconsin Dells: 94.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The Madison area as a whole looks much the same. The share with a diploma has risen 6.5 points since 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 Wisconsin Dells
| Period | Wisconsin Dells | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 5.0% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 5.5% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.0% | 2.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 2.6% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | −2.4 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Wisconsin Dells: 8.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 200 Wisconsin cities with 5,000+ people, only two have higher unemployment. Unemployment is up 2.4 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
Wisconsin Dells compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Dells | 2.29 | 45.9 | 5.5% | 26.8% | 23.8% | 1982 | $1,055 | 22.0% | 94.3% | 8.2% |
| Lake Delton | 2.22 | 41.3 | 7.4% | 30.8% | 22.7% | 1993 | $954 | 25.5% | 92.7% | 3.2% |
| Plainville | 2.44 | 49.6 | 5.4% | 14.4% | 31.9% | 1986 | $1,076 | 17.1% | 93.2% | 5.7% |
| Lyndon Station | 2.40 | 44.0 | 8.2% | 17.3% | 21.4% | 1991 | $1,124 | 14.3% | 91.8% | 4.9% |
| Lewiston | 2.51 | 48.6 | 10.8% | 7.3% | 15.3% | 1983 | $900 | 25.8% | 92.8% | 1.8% |
| Briggsville | 2.20 | 55.2 | 6.9% | 12.2% | 23.0% | 1977 | $1,022 | 20.7% | 95.5% | 1.2% |
| West Baraboo | 2.32 | 38.6 | 11.7% | 34.5% | 10.4% | 1985 | $1,059 | 32.4% | 93.9% | 1.6% |
| Baraboo | 2.20 | 43.9 | 8.6% | 33.1% | 7.9% | 1972 | $989 | 26.1% | 93.0% | 2.5% |
| White Creek | 2.16 | 56.1 | 4.6% | 16.2% | 35.9% | 1984 | $1,007 | 18.8% | 88.2% | 3.2% |
| Oxford | 2.30 | 48.7 | 6.6% | 13.9% | 30.0% | 1980 | $954 | 15.9% | 91.5% | 3.9% |
| Reedsburg | 2.44 | 44.0 | 11.6% | 31.0% | 6.0% | 1984 | $973 | 25.9% | 91.9% | 2.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Newfane, NY · Pelham Manor, NY · Peebles, OH · Pecan Plantation, TX · Olalla, WA · Ogallala, NE · Oceanport, NJ · Norton, VA · Northfield, IL · North Fort Lewis, WA
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 Wisconsin Dells. 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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