La Crosse, Wisconsin Income Statistics
La Crosse Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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D
La Crosse Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | La Crosse | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,132 | $77,698 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $48,676 | $59,261 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.9% | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.2% | 11.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 4.6% | 9.2% | 13.2% |
The median household income in La Crosse is about 29% lower than in Wisconsin. Income has been growing slower in La Crosse (3.9%/yr) than in Wisconsin (4.4%/yr).
About 6% of adults in La Crosse earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Wisconsin average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in La Crosse, Wisconsin grew by 46.1% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $55,132 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in La Crosse
| Metric | La Crosse | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.541 | 0.503 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $55,767 | $67,892 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $46,881 | $54,788 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 15.9% | 19.3% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In La Crosse, it is 0.541, higher than Wisconsin's 0.503, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 19% more than women's income in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Over a 35-year career, a 19% wage gap accumulates to roughly $311,010 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in La Crosse, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 25% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 26% in 2011, and was narrowest at 11% in 2020. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $571 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | La Crosse | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.4% | 13.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 1,019 people are unemployed in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
The average commute time in La Crosse is 13 minutes, shorter than the 18 minutes in Wisconsin.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in La Crosse, Wisconsin has fallen from 7.2% to 3.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate fell as low as 3.1% in 2021.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, La Crosse, Wisconsin has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Wisconsin, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
How Rich Is La Crosse, Wisconsin?
La Crosse has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $55,132, about 29% lower than the Wisconsin average of $77,698.
How has median household income changed in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in La Crosse, Wisconsin rose 46%, from $37,732 to $55,132. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Wisconsin as a whole: +46% against +50%.
What was the median household income in La Crosse in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in La Crosse, Wisconsin was $52,858, up 1% from $52,370 in 2022. The Wisconsin median that year was $75,781.
What was the median household income in La Crosse in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in La Crosse, Wisconsin was $47,345. By 2024 it had risen 16% to $55,132.
What is the Gini coefficient in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
The Gini coefficient in La Crosse is 0.541. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in La Crosse, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 25% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 26% in 2011, and was narrowest at 11% in 2020. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $571 since 2009.
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