Ontario: Demographics & People
Census counts 422 people in Ontario, in 181 households. Population grew 11.1% from 380 (2022) to 422 (2024). Median age 37.1 years. (4.8y younger than Vernon County; 1.2y younger than Wisconsin). Children under 18 are 25% of the population. Population is 85% White (non-Hispanic) and 14% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.19). 61% of households are family-led. County is gaining 219 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Wisconsin avg 2.4).
- 39% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Wisconsin 43%).
- 76 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Wisconsin 66).
Population & Trend
Population grew 11.1% from 380 (2022) to 422 (2024) — about 18.4× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~469 (extrapolated at 5.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 538.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 46,274 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 11.1% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 380 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 422 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 422 people (vs Wisconsin 25,785) |
| Population Estimate | 538 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 37.1y is 1.8 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 25% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 37.1 years (vs Wisconsin 38.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 25.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 422 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 106 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 90.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 150.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 76 |
| Population under 18 | 106 |
| Median age | 37.1 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 422 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 | 339 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 39 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 18.5% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 89.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 13.5% (vs Wisconsin 6.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 85.1% (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). 0.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 299 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 98 |
| Share born in this state | 70.9% |
| Share born in another state | 29.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 23.2% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 5.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 25 |
| From Africa | 12 |
Households & Family Composition
181 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 61% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 92 families, 28% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 101 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 92 |
| Married couples with children | 26 |
| Average household size | 2.38 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 7 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 2 |
| Family households | 111 households (vs Wisconsin 7,092) |
| Households that are families | 61.3% (vs Wisconsin 57.2%) |
| Total households | 181 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. 9.6% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 219 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 9.6% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 44,592 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 44,373 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 219 |
| 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 | 26 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.3% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 55081 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 55 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 081 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Monroe |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 15.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 12.70 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 18.70 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 55081 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Monroe County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,654 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 55081 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Monroe County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 56.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 58.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 46,253 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 25.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 422, booming, family-oriented, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 422 people (vs Wisconsin 25,785) |
| Town Summary · County | Monroe County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade