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Population Review

Census ACS · #264 MSA

La Crosse Metro Area

The La Crosse-Onalaska, Wi-Mn Metropolitan Statistical Area has 169,945 residents across 2 states. The median household income is $71,009 and the median home value is $235,300.

169,945

Population

95

People / sq mi

$71,009

Median Income

$235,300

Median Home Value

The La Crosse CBSA covers 1,795 sq mi of land at 94.7 people per square mile.

Race & Ethnicity

White90.5%
Black or African American1.2%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)0.9%

Economy & Income

$71,009

Median Household Income

$39,805

Per Capita Income

5.2%

Poverty Rate

1.9%

Unemployment

Cost of Living

The La Crosse metro's price level is 91.8 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 8.2% lower the US average. The local median income of $71,009 has the buying power of $77,378 in average-priced US metros.

91.8

Price Level (US = 100)

$77,378

COL-Adjusted Median Income

$71,009

Nominal Median Income

Housing

$235,300

Median Home Value

$998

Median Rent

68.2%

Homeownership

Education

95.1%

High School+

33.0%

Bachelor's+

Commute

0.8%

Drive Alone

10.6%

Work From Home

20.5 min

Avg Commute

29.2%

Foreign Born

La Crosse spans these states

Nearby metros

Largest cities in Wisconsin

Largest counties in Wisconsin

Part of Wisconsin

Other metros

Metro areas in Wisconsin

Metro rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

The La Crosse-Onalaska, Wi-Mn Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 169,945 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #264 largest CBSA in the US.

The median household income in the La Crosse metro area is $71,009, with a per capita income of $39,805.

The La Crosse-Onalaska, Wi-Mn CBSA spans 2 states: Wisconsin, Minnesota.

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Data for the La Crosse-Onalaska, Wi-Mn CBSA (29100) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.

The poverty rate is what most separates La Crosse from the typical metro area: 5.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. La Crosse is a metro area in WI, MN with a population of 169,945.

The typical household here earns about $71,009, below the US median of $78,538. Hardship is rare relative to US metro areas: a poverty rate of just 5.2%, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $235,300, with typical rent around $998.

College attainment is above the local norm at 33.0%, below the national 35.0%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.