Adams County, Wisconsin Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 51st-largest in Wisconsin
The population of Adams County, Wisconsin is 20,928 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 51st-largest county in Wisconsin. The median household income is $59,153, the median home value is $184,500, and the median age is 55.5.
The population of Adams County has grown 2.3% since 2010 (20,878 → 21,352), a +0.16% annualized rate.
20,928
Population
+0.16%
Annual growth
32
People / sq mi
$59,153
Median Income
$184,500
Median Home Value
Adams County covers 646 sq mi of land at 32.4 people per square mile.
About Adams County, WI
Age is the most distinctive thing about Adams County: a median age of 55.5, older than the national median. With 20,928 residents, Adams County is a county in Wisconsin.
Median household income is $59,153, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 7.6%, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $184,500, with typical rent around $789.
Fewer adults hold degrees here than in most comparable places — 17.3%, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 9.3%, and the average commute runs about 29 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Adams County — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Adams County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Adams County had a population of 20,878 in 2010 and 21,352 in 2024, a 2.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 21,528 in 2023. Average annual growth rate: 0.17%.
21,352
Population (2024)
20,878
Population (2010)
21,528
Peak (2023)
0.17%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 20,878 |
| 2011 | 20,767 |
| 2012 | 20,411 |
| 2013 | 20,407 |
| 2014 | 20,120 |
| 2015 | 20,027 |
| 2016 | 19,984 |
| 2017 | 19,905 |
| 2018 | 20,386 |
| 2019 | 20,268 |
| 2020 | 20,682 |
| 2021 | 20,844 |
| 2022 | 21,211 |
| 2023 | 21,528 |
| 2024 | 21,352 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 89.8% |
| Black or African American | 2.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
55.5
Median Age
45.8%
Female
54.2%
Male
31.6%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 11.0% · Seniors (65+): 31.6%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $59,153$-16,517 vs state |
| Mean household income | $74,613 |
| Per-capita income | $35,145 |
| Poverty rate | 7.6%+1.0% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5% |
| Employment-to-population | 45.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Adams County is professional & business services, accounting for 16.1% of workers.
How residents commute
0.2%
Drive alone
1.3%
Carpool
79.1%
Public transit
9.3%
Work from home
29.1 min
Avg commute
Housing
$184,500$-62,900 vs state
Median home value
$789
Median rent
86.4%
Homeownership rate
16,873
Total housing units
55.4%
Occupied
44.6%
Vacant
13.6%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
94.8%
With health insurance
89.9%
With broadband internet
29.7%
Foreign-born
10.2%
Veterans (18+)
21.8%
With a disability
96.0%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
89.0%
High School+
17.3%
Bachelor's+
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Frequently Asked Questions
Adams County, Wisconsin has a population of 20,928 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 51st-largest county in Wisconsin. Population density is 32 people per square mile.
The population of Adams County has grown 2.3% since 2010 (20,878 → 21,352), a +0.16% annualized rate.
The median household income in Adams County, Wisconsin is $59,153, with mean (average) household income of $74,613 and per-capita income of $35,145. 7.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Adams County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (89.8%), Black or African American (2.2%), Hispanic or Latino (1.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Adams County, Wisconsin is 55.5 years. Residents are 45.8% female and 54.2% male.
The median home value in Adams County is $184,500 and median monthly rent is $789. 86.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 16,873 total housing units, 44.6% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Adams County, Wisconsin is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 16.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.
Milwaukee is among the largest cities associated with Adams County, Wisconsin, with a population of 569,756.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.