Poverty in Wisconsin
What is the poverty rate in Wisconsin?
The poverty rate in Wisconsin is 12.3%. One out of every 8.1 residents of Wisconsin lives in poverty.
How many people in Wisconsin live in poverty?
692,719 of 5,612,611 residents reported income levels below the poverty line in the last year.
How does the Poverty Rate in Wisconsin compare to the national average?
Wisconsin ranks 19th in Poverty Rate at 12.3%(poverty rankings by state).The Poverty Rate of Wisconsin is moderately lower than the national average of 14.6%.
Wisconsin Poverty Rate County Map
Wisconsin Poverty Rate By Sex
What is the poverty rate for men vs women living in Wisconsin?
Male
The Poverty Rate for men who live in Wisconsin is 11.2%.
Female
The Poverty Rate for women who live in Wisconsin is 13.5%.
Poverty Rate Disparity for Male vs Female Residents of Wisconsin
Female residents of Wisconsin are meaningfully(20%) more likely to live in poverty than males.
310,220 of 2,779,960 males in Wisconsin live below the poverty line.
382,499 of 2,832,651 females in Wisconsin live below the poverty line.
Wisconsin Poverty Rate By Age
What's the Poverty Rate in Wisconsin By Age?
Breakdown of Wisconsin Poverty Rate By Age
- Children Under 6 in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 19.3%.
- Children 6 to 11 Years Old in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 16.9%.
- Adolescents 12 to 17 Years Old in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 14.2%.
- Adults 18 to 59 Years Old in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 12.3%.
- Adults 60 to 74 Years Old in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 7.2%.
- 75 to 84 Years Old in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 8.6%.
- Over 85 Years Old in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 11.9%.
Historical Wisconsin Poverty Rate
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY % Change | National |
|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
13.2% | 15.3% | |
2011 |
13.1% | 1.0% | 15.9% |
2012 |
13.2% | 1.0% | 15.9% |
2013 |
13.5% | 2.0% | 15.8% |
2014 |
13.2% | 2.0% | 15.5% |
2015 |
12.1% | 9.0% | 14.7% |
2016 |
11.8% | 2.0% | 14.0% |
2017 |
11.3% | 3.0% | 13.4% |
Wisconsin Poverty Rate By Race
| Race | Population | Poverty Rate | National Poverty Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Black |
346,462 |
34.3% | 25.2% | 6.0% |
American Indian |
47,524 |
28.1% | 26.8% | 0.8% |
Asian |
148,224 |
18.0% | 11.9% | 2.6% |
Pacific Islander |
1,772 |
22.8% | 19.0% | 0.0% |
Other |
109,209 |
26.9% | 23.8% | 1.9% |
Two Or More Races |
124,994 |
23.5% | 18.4% | 2.2% |
White |
4,604,848 |
9.2% | 10.3% | 79.9% |
Hispanic |
371,053 |
24.8% | 22.2% | 6.4% |
What's the Poverty Rate in Wisconsin By Race?
34.3% of Black residents of Wisconsin live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of black residents in Wisconsin is the same as than the national average. 118,842 of 346,462 black Wisconsinites live below the poverty line. Approximately 6.0% of the total population of Wisconsin are black.
18.0% of Asian residents of Wisconsin live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of asian residents in Wisconsin is dramatically higher than the national average of 11.9%. 26,682 of 148,224 asian Wisconsinites live below the poverty line. Approximately 2.6% of the total population of Wisconsin are asian.
9.2% of White residents of Wisconsin live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of white residents in Wisconsin is dramatically lower than the national average of 10.3%. 421,484 of 4,604,848 white Wisconsinites live below the poverty line. Approximately 79.9% of the total population of Wisconsin are white.
24.8% of Hispanic residents of Wisconsin live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of hispanic residents in Wisconsin is the same as than the national average. 92,172 of 371,053 hispanic Wisconsinites live below the poverty line. Approximately 6.4% of the total population of Wisconsin are hispanic.
Wisconsin Poverty Rate By School Enrollment
Understanding where poverty hits hardest in Wisconsin can be better understood by segmenting poverty by whether or not the resident is in school or not.
- Enrolled in School in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 18.7%.
- Not Enrolled in School in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 9.8%.
The Poverty Rate of Wisconsin residents enrolled in school is slightly lower than the national average of 20.1%. This translates to 254,888 of 1,362,226 Wisconsinites enrolled in school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 23.6% of the total population of Wisconsin are currently enrolled in school.
The Poverty Rate of Wisconsin residents not enrolled in school is meaningfully lower than the national average of 12.2%. This translates to 398,870 of 4,053,936 Wisconsinites not enrolled in school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 70.3% of the total population of Wisconsin are currently not enrolled in school.
Poverty for younger ages in Wisconsin is seen as the most undesirable for the future of the community.
- Enrolled in Nursery School in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 13.7%.
- Enrolled in Elementary School(Grades 1-4) in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 17.6%.
The Poverty Rate of Wisconsin residents enrolled in nursery school is significantly lower than the national average of 18.0%. This translates to 10,146 of 73,840 Wisconsinites enrolled in nursery school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 1.3% of the total population of Wisconsin is currently enrolled in nursery school.
The Poverty Rate of Wisconsin residents enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4) is meaningfully lower than the national average of 21.2%. This translates to 49,503 of 281,561 Wisconsinites enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 4.9% of the total population of Wisconsin are currently enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4).
Poverty for developing children and young adults in Wisconsin can have drastic impacts on graduation and college attendance rates.
- Enrolled in Middle School(Grade 5-8) in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 14.6%.
- Enrolled in High School (Grades 9-12) in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 14.1%.
The Poverty Rate of Wisconsin residents enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8) is meaningfully lower than the national average of 19.0%. This translates to 41,862 of 286,382 Wisconsinites enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 5.0% of the total population of Wisconsin are currently enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8).
The Poverty Rate of Wisconsin residents enrolled in high school (grades 9-12) is meaningfully lower than the national average of 17.7%. This translates to 42,116 of 299,659 Wisconsinites enrolled in high school (grades 9-12) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 5.2% of the total population of Wisconsin are currently enrolled in high school (grades 9-12).
Adult students in college, graduate or professional schools generally bring employers, revenue and higher living wages post-graduation and are seen as a positive to the community.
- Enrolled in Undergraduate School in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 30.1%.
- Enrolled in Graduate or Professional School in Wisconsin have a Poverty Rate of 18.1%.
The Poverty Rate of Wisconsin residents enrolled in undergraduate school is meaningfully higher than the national average of 23.4%. This translates to 83,523 of 277,233 Wisconsinites enrolled in undergraduate school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 4.8% of the total population of Wisconsin are currently enrolled in undergraduate school.
The Poverty Rate of Wisconsin residents enrolled in graduate or professional school is slightly higher than the national average of 17.2%. This translates to 11,150 of 61,488 Wisconsinites enrolled in graduate or professional school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 1.1% of the total population of Wisconsin is currently enrolled in graduate or professional school.
Wisconsin Poverty Rate By Place of Birth
What is the poverty rate for residents of Wisconsin born US Citizens vs Foreign-Born?
12.1%
The Poverty Rate for residents of Wisconsin who were born citizens of the United States is 12.1%.
17.9%
The Poverty Rate for residents of Wisconsin who were born citizens of a country other than the US is 17.9%.
Poverty Rate for residents of Wisconsin born US Citizens vs Foreign-Born
Foreign-born residents of Wisconsin have a higher poverty rate than those who were born US citizens.
Of the 5,336,779 residents of Wisconsin who were born citizens of the United States, 643,219 (12.1%) had income levels below the poverty line within the past year.
Conversely, 49,500 (17.9%) of 275,832 residents of Wisconsin who were born citizens of a country other than the US reported income levels below the poverty line within the past year.
Wisconsin Poverty Rate By City
| City | Rank | Poverty Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
Allouez |
72nd |
5.0% | 13,898 |
Appleton |
233rd |
11.6% | 73,832 |
Ashwaubenon |
190th |
9.4% | 17,141 |
Baraboo |
305th |
15.6% | 12,080 |
Beaver Dam |
220th |
11.1% | 16,346 |
Bellevue |
227th |
11.3% | 15,373 |
Beloit |
369th |
24.8% | 36,733 |
Brookfield |
28th |
3.5% | 37,943 |
Brown Deer |
102nd |
6.2% | 12,076 |
Burlington |
193rd |
9.6% | 10,652 |
Caledonia |
84th |
5.4% | 24,803 |
Cedarburg |
136th |
7.2% | 11,499 |
Chippewa Falls |
329th |
17.7% | 13,920 |
Cudahy |
254th |
12.5% | 18,350 |
De Pere |
143rd |
7.4% | 24,695 |
DeForest |
151st |
7.7% | 9,663 |
Delavan |
249th |
12.2% | 8,383 |
Eau Claire |
326th |
17.4% | 67,945 |
Elkhorn |
173rd |
8.7% | 9,930 |
Fitchburg |
246th |
12.2% | 27,914 |
Fond du Lac |
255th |
12.6% | 42,910 |
Fort Atkinson |
276th |
13.6% | 12,429 |
Franklin |
80th |
5.3% | 36,295 |
Germantown |
39th |
3.8% | 19,956 |
Glendale |
168th |
8.4% | 12,868 |
Grafton |
118th |
6.7% | 11,576 |
Green Bay |
324th |
17.2% | 104,796 |
Greendale |
110th |
6.5% | 14,293 |
Greenfield |
178th |
8.9% | 37,082 |
Hartford |
195th |
9.6% | 14,552 |
Hartland |
24th |
3.2% | 9,218 |
Holmen |
75th |
5.0% | 9,693 |
Howard |
165th |
8.4% | 19,121 |
Hudson |
126th |
7.0% | 13,456 |
Janesville |
266th |
13.3% | 63,957 |
Kaukauna |
109th |
6.5% | 15,883 |
Kenosha |
342nd |
19.0% | 99,623 |
La Crosse |
370th |
25.2% | 51,928 |
Little Chute |
182nd |
9.1% | 11,006 |
Madison |
338th |
18.3% | 248,856 |
Manitowoc |
279th |
13.8% | 32,939 |
Marinette |
317th |
16.8% | 10,729 |
Marshfield |
226th |
11.3% | 18,326 |
Menasha |
260th |
12.8% | 17,945 |
Menomonee Falls |
46th |
4.0% | 36,411 |
Menomonie |
367th |
24.1% | 16,222 |
Mequon |
69th |
4.8% | 23,787 |
Merrill |
267th |
13.3% | 9,264 |
Middleton |
157th |
7.9% | 18,951 |
Milwaukee |
371st |
27.4% | 599,086 |
Monroe |
278th |
13.7% | 10,688 |
Mount Pleasant |
116th |
6.6% | 26,300 |
Muskego |
8th |
2.0% | 24,731 |
Neenah |
219th |
11.1% | 25,821 |
New Berlin |
44th |
3.9% | 39,779 |
New Richmond |
123rd |
6.8% | 8,761 |
Oak Creek |
120th |
6.8% | 35,588 |
Oconomowoc |
99th |
6.1% | 16,450 |
Onalaska |
125th |
6.9% | 18,452 |
Oregon |
57th |
4.3% | 10,033 |
Oshkosh |
340th |
18.8% | 66,649 |
Pewaukee |
9th |
2.2% | 14,112 |
Platteville |
374th |
32.7% | 12,194 |
Pleasant Prairie |
147th |
7.5% | 20,552 |
Plover |
204th |
10.3% | 12,494 |
Plymouth |
131st |
7.1% | 8,477 |
Port Washington |
127th |
7.0% | 11,589 |
Portage |
299th |
15.0% | 10,321 |
Racine |
347th |
20.0% | 77,740 |
Reedsburg |
292nd |
14.5% | 9,480 |
Richfield |
17th |
2.8% | 11,539 |
River Falls |
312th |
16.2% | 15,256 |
Shawano |
295th |
14.6% | 9,052 |
Sheboygan |
251st |
12.3% | 48,560 |
Shorewood |
261st |
12.8% | 13,367 |
South Milwaukee |
313th |
16.3% | 21,185 |
Sparta |
325th |
17.4% | 9,621 |
St. Francis |
244th |
12.1% | 9,532 |
Stevens Point |
365th |
23.1% | 26,526 |
Stoughton |
171st |
8.6% | 13,058 |
Sturgeon Bay |
211th |
10.6% | 8,917 |
Suamico |
41st |
3.8% | 12,222 |
Sun Prairie |
183rd |
9.1% | 32,112 |
Superior |
332nd |
18.0% | 26,473 |
Sussex |
50th |
4.1% | 10,763 |
Tomah |
238th |
11.7% | 9,347 |
Two Rivers |
252nd |
12.3% | 11,305 |
Verona |
68th |
4.8% | 12,465 |
Watertown |
247th |
12.2% | 23,730 |
Waukesha |
212th |
10.6% | 72,173 |
Waunakee |
40th |
3.8% | 13,284 |
Waupun |
201st |
10.1% | 11,277 |
Wausau |
330th |
17.7% | 38,934 |
Wauwatosa |
132nd |
7.1% | 47,687 |
West Allis |
268th |
13.4% | 60,546 |
West Bend |
160th |
8.0% | 31,656 |
Weston |
243rd |
12.0% | 15,068 |
Whitefish Bay |
20th |
3.0% | 14,099 |
Whitewater |
377th |
40.2% | 14,762 |
Wisconsin Rapids |
322nd |
17.0% | 17,905 |
Research & Reports
National Poverty Statistics
Where are the most poverty-stricken areas in your state? We breakdown over 3,000 counties nationwide and show the rank the best and worst communities by poverty rate in your area.
See Poverty Statistics
Social Security Payments in Wisconsin
How are the Social Security Payments distributed throughout Wisconsin? We breakdown social security benefits by city and county statewide and rank communities with the most and least social security income per capita.
Wisconsin Social Security
Food Stamp Recipients in Wisconsin
Which areas receive the most food stamp public assistance in Wisconsin? We breakdown food stamps by city and county statewide and rank communities with the most and least food and nutrional supplements given to residents.
Wisconsin Food Stamps