Eau Claire: Demographics & People
Eau Claire's population stands at 70,322 people, in 30,492 households. Population grew 1.5% from 69,274 (2022) to 70,322 (2024). Median age 32.9 years. (2.9y younger than Eau Claire County; 5.4y younger than Wisconsin). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 86% White (non-Hispanic) and 5% Asian. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.19). 52% of households are family-led. County is gaining 388 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 40% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Wisconsin avg 2.4).
- 48% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Wisconsin 43%).
- 51 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Wisconsin 66).
Population & Trend
Population grew 1.5% from 69,274 (2022) to 70,322 (2024) — about 2.5× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~71,387 (extrapolated at 0.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 72,822.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 66,297 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 1.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 69,274 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 70,322 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 70,322 people (vs Wisconsin 25,785) |
| Population Estimate | 72,822 |
| Population Note | Census Place population covers Chippewa County, Eau Claire County |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 32.9y is 6.0 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 32.9 years (vs Wisconsin 38.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 17.7% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 70,322 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 12,431 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 24,569.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 21,868.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 11,454 |
| Population under 18 | 12,431 |
| Median age | 32.9 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 70,322 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.19 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 60,181 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 913 |
| Asian residents | 4,027 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,965 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 19.1% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 89.7% |
| Asian population | 5.4% (vs Wisconsin 3.1%) |
| Black population | 1.6% (vs Wisconsin 2.7%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 2.9% (vs Wisconsin 6.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 85.5% (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). 0.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 4% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 48,392 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 18,932 |
| Share born in this state | 68.8% |
| Share born in another state | 31.2% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 26.9% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 3.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 2,823 |
| From Europe | 175 |
| From Africa | 2,079 |
| From Latin America | 46 |
Households & Family Composition
30,492 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 52% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 15,078 families, 28% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 12,279 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 15,078 |
| Married couples with children | 4,195 |
| Single-parent households | 736 |
| Average household size | 2.25 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 11.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 571 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 153 |
| Family households | 16,000 households (vs Wisconsin 7,092) |
| Households that are families | 52.5% (vs Wisconsin 57.2%) |
| Total households | 30,492 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. 22.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 388 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 22.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 64,543 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 64,155 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 388 |
| 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 | 4,268 |
|---|---|
| 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. 3,728 residents live in group quarters (5.3% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 3,728 |
|---|
Other
| Census Counties | Chippewa County, Eau Claire County |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 55017 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 55 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 017 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Chippewa |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 10.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 8.20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 12.50 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 55017 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Chippewa County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,764 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 55017 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Chippewa County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 62.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 58.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 61.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 64,658 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 24 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 34 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 17.7% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 70,322, growing, young professional, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 70,322 people (vs Wisconsin 25,785) |
| Town Summary · County | Chippewa County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade