La Crosse, Wisconsin Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of La Crosse, Wisconsin is 51,791 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 12th-largest city in Wisconsin. The median household income is $53,803, the median home value is $196,600, and the median age is 30.3.
The population has declined 0.6% since 2010 (51,376 → 51,049).
51,791
Population
2386
People / sq mi
$53,803
Median Income
$196,600
Median Home Value
Get La Crosse's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
La Crosse covers 21.7 sq mi of land at 2386 people per square mile.
About La Crosse, WI
La Crosse skews on age — the median resident is 30.3, younger than the national median. With 51,791 residents, La Crosse is a city in Wisconsin. It ranks #12 among cities in Wisconsin by population.
The typical household earns $53,803, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 7.8%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $196,600, with typical rent around $977.
Roughly 34.8% of adults have a bachelor’s, near the national 35.0%. About 10.0% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 17 minutes each way.
La Crosse city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of La Crosse city had a population of 51,376 in 2010 and 51,049 in 2024, a -0.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 52,660 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: -0.04%.
51,049
Population (2024)
51,376
Population (2010)
52,660
Peak (2020)
-0.04%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 51,376 |
| 2011 | 51,225 |
| 2012 | 51,962 |
| 2013 | 51,885 |
| 2014 | 52,145 |
| 2015 | 52,023 |
| 2016 | 51,830 |
| 2017 | 51,718 |
| 2018 | 51,491 |
| 2019 | 51,227 |
| 2020 | 52,660 |
| 2021 | 50,687 |
| 2022 | 51,229 |
| 2023 | 51,283 |
| 2024 | 51,049 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 88.4% |
| Black or African American | 1.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$53,803
Median Household Income
$34,356
Per Capita Income
7.8%
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$196,600
Median Home Value
$977
Median Rent
46.1%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.1%
High School+
34.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.8%
Drive Alone
68.0%
Public Transit
10.0%
Work From Home
16.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
26.5%
Foreign Born
94.0%
Non-English at Home
5.8%
Veterans
13.7%
With Disability
94.7%
Health Insurance
92.2%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 29.4% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 14.7% |
| Manufacturing | 10.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.4% |
| Information | 4.9% |
| Construction | 4.6% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.1% |
| Retail Trade | 3.5% |
| Public Administration | 2.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in Wisconsin
Largest counties in Wisconsin
Part of Wisconsin
Metro areas in Wisconsin
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
La Crosse, Wisconsin has a population of 51,791 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 12th-largest city in Wisconsin.
The median household income in La Crosse, Wisconsin is $53,803, with 7.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in La Crosse, Wisconsin is $196,600, with median monthly rent at $977 and a homeownership rate of 46.1%.
The median age in La Crosse, Wisconsin is 30.3 years. The population is 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
The population has declined 0.6% since 2010 (51,376 → 51,049).
Where to stay in La Crosse
Visiting or relocating to La Crosse, WI? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
More from Wisconsin
Population 569,756
Population 275,568
Population 106,585
Population 99,147
Population 77,155
Full rankings of Wisconsin cities by population
Statewide data for Wisconsin
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Wisconsin
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.