Wisconsin Dells: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Wisconsin Dells center on a median $54,688 (1.6× below Columbia County median $85,351; 1.4× below Wisconsin median $77,485), with homes at a median value of $207,100. The surrounding county supports 4,412 jobs (avg $46,533).
- $60,083 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs Wisconsin $74,990).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $54,688 — below the Wisconsin median ($73,427). Poverty rate 11.3% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 27% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 3.8× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 19.4% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 27.4% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 11.3% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 6.5% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $10,100 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $606,839 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $60,083 (vs Wisconsin $74,990) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $76,172 |
| Median Household Income | $54,688 (vs Wisconsin $73,427) |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $54,688 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 9.4% — above the U.S. average of ~4%. 3% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 3.3% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 4,412 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $205,280,463 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $46,533 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 2,885,990 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% (vs Wisconsin 2.2%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 27 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 114,792 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 4,251.60 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Vegetable Totals, Grain, Corn, Fruit & Tree Nut Totals, Soybeans |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 341 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 3,000 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 111,045 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 8 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Real Estate Offices | 11 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Chiropractors | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Golf Courses Country Clubs | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 22 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 6 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 21 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (4)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Walmart SUPERCENTER 3505 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 17 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | ADAMS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $219,578,009 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 10,631.26 (vs Wisconsin $6,238) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 20,654 people (vs Wisconsin 25,785) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 77.7% |
|---|---|
| Pct Walked | 3.3% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 42.8 years (vs Wisconsin 38.3y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 35.8% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12