1st Advantage MortgageChippewa County households have a median income of $74,680 and median rent of $963 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Chippewa County
- Paychecks and income spread in Chippewa County
- What it costs to live in Chippewa County
- The Chippewa County job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Chippewa County
- Counties near Chippewa County
- Room for a loan payment in Chippewa County
- What the numbers mean for Chippewa County borrowers
- Chippewa County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Four steps for Chippewa County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Chippewa County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Chippewa County
With an estimated 66,799 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Chippewa County ranks 24th of 72 in Wisconsin for population. It covers 1,008 square miles of land, or about 66 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Eau Claire, WI metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Chippewa Falls is the biggest of its 11 Census places, at roughly 14,782 people (22% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Chippewa County
At $74,680, the typical Chippewa County household income is 14% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 31 Wisconsin counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Chippewa County | Gap to Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.7% | +0.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.9% | +0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.5% | +2.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -3.4 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 10.2%, the same as the state's 10.6%. None of these numbers decides a Chippewa County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Chippewa County
Renters in Chippewa County pay a median of $963 a month, 11% below the Wisconsin figure of $1,087. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $257,900, about 3.5 times the median household income. 74% of Chippewa County households own their home and 26% rent.
| Home costs | Chippewa County | Wisconsin | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $963/mo | $1,087/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $257,900 | $266,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 11% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The Chippewa County job picture
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 16%. Retail trade stands out: 16% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Chippewa County averages 3.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.2%). 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home. Households without a car make up 4.8% of the total (6.4% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Chippewa County workers | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | +1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.8% | -2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.6% | +4.5 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -3.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.9% | +1.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Chippewa County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Chippewa County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 37,113 residents, leaving about 44% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $48,052 in Stanley to $105,150 in Lake Wissota. None of the 11 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Falls | city | 14,782 | $57,873 | $910 | 11 mi |
| Lake Hallie | village | 7,285 | $86,740 | $1,223 | 14 mi |
| Stanley | city | 3,760 | $48,052 | $723 | 18 mi |
| Bloomer | city | 3,673 | $58,106 | $895 | 10 mi |
| Lake Wissota | CDP | 3,184 | $105,150 | $1,005 | 10 mi |
| Cadott | village | 1,449 | $71,111 | $775 | 10 mi |
| Cornell | city | 1,307 | $55,192 | $798 | 9 mi |
| Boyd | village | 566 | $62,321 | $895 | 14 mi |
| New Auburn | village | 531 | $66,932 | $891 | 16 mi |
| Jim Falls | CDP | 339 | $92,292 | $1,054 | 2 mi |
| Holcombe | CDP | 237 | $64,231 | $838 | 13 mi |
Counties near Chippewa County
Eau Claire County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Clark County, is 40 miles off. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Chippewa County; Dunn County is highest at $74,824 and Rusk County lowest at $59,944.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chippewa County | - | $74,680 | $963/mo | 74% |
| Eau Claire County, WI | 24 mi | $74,546 | $1,064/mo | 61% |
| Rusk County, WI | 29 mi | $59,944 | $874/mo | 78% |
| Dunn County, WI | 31 mi | $74,824 | $985/mo | 67% |
| Barron County, WI | 38 mi | $65,933 | $879/mo | 77% |
| Taylor County, WI | 39 mi | $69,350 | $823/mo | 80% |
| Clark County, WI | 40 mi | $67,400 | $823/mo | 79% |
Room for a loan payment in Chippewa County
How much room does a median Chippewa County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $74,680 a year is $6,223 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $963, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,526: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Chippewa County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
What the numbers mean for Chippewa County borrowers
Based on the Chippewa County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Chippewa County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 4.4%, against 5.2% for Wisconsin.
| Measure | Chippewa County | Wisconsin statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.2% | 33.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.4% | 5.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.7% | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.4% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
Four steps for Chippewa County borrowers
Steps that save money for Chippewa County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Wisconsin license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Chippewa County credit union about member loans.
Lender oversight for Chippewa County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Chippewa County borrowers answers to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Wisconsin guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Wisconsin guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Chippewa County household make?
About $74,680 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 4% below the Wisconsin median.
How does Chippewa County rent compare with Wisconsin?
$963 locally versus $1,087 for the state, 11% below.
I own my home in Chippewa County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Chippewa County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 11 Census places: Chippewa Falls, Lake Hallie, Stanley, Bloomer, Lake Wissota.
Can Chippewa County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Wisconsin county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.