Wisconsin Dells: Demographics & People
Wisconsin Dells's population stands at 2,547 people, in 1,212 households. Population shrank 7.8% from 2,763 (2022) to 2,547 (2024). Median age 42.8 years. (0.9y younger than Columbia County; 4.5y older than Wisconsin). Children under 18 are 19% of the population. Population is 78% White (non-Hispanic) and 14% Hispanic or Latino. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.24). 46% of households are family-led. County is gaining 538 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Wisconsin avg 2.4).
- 54% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Wisconsin 43%).
- 68 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Wisconsin 66).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 7.8% from 2,763 (2022) to 2,547 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~2,351 (extrapolated at -3.9%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 2,106.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 20,654 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -7.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 2,763 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 2,547 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 2,547 people (vs Wisconsin 25,785) |
| Population Estimate | 2,106 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 42.8y is 3.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 19% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 42.8 years (vs Wisconsin 38.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.6% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 2,547 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 473 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 563.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 956.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 555 |
| Population under 18 | 473 |
| Median age | 42.8 years (vs Wisconsin 38.3y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 2,547 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.24 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 2,388 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 105 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 261 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 23.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 86.7% |
| Black population | 3.7% (vs Wisconsin 2.7%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 13.8% (vs Wisconsin 6.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 78.4% (vs Wisconsin 81.6%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 2.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 7% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 1,843 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 453 |
| Share born in this state | 72.4% |
| Share born in another state | 27.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 17.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 7.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 147 |
| From Europe | 38 |
Households & Family Composition
1,212 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 46% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 642 families, 31% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 641 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 642 |
| Married couples with children | 202 |
| Single-parent households | 24 |
| Average household size | 2.09 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 15.6% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 71 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 35 |
| Family households | 559 households (vs Wisconsin 7,092) |
| Households that are families | 46.1% (vs Wisconsin 57.2%) |
| Total households | 1,212 households (vs Wisconsin 10,843) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 12.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 538 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 12.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 19,254 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 18,716 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 538 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 164 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.2% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 89 residents live in group quarters (3.5% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 89 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 55001 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 55 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 001 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Adams |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 17.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 12.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 23.60 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 55001 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Adams County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 658 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 55001 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Adams County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 58.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 64.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 20,220 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.80 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.6% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 2,547, shrinking, established, middle-class, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 2,547 people (vs Wisconsin 25,785) |
| Town Summary · County | Adams County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade