Crawford County, WI: borrowing basics and county figures

A quick profile of Crawford County

The latest five-year Census estimate puts Crawford County's population at 16,042; only 62 of Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 571 square miles, that works out to roughly 28.1 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Crawford County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (11 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Prairie du Chien, with about 5,491 residents, or 34% of the county.

Paychecks and income spread in Crawford County

The median household income in Crawford County is $64,094; statewide it is $77,485, so Crawford County runs 17% below Wisconsin as a whole.

The spread is wide: 27% of Crawford County households make $100,000 or more, and 26% make less than $35,000. Census counts 13.8% of Crawford County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Wisconsin. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.426 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.

Crawford County housing compared with Wisconsin

Renters in Crawford County pay a median of $789 a month, 27% below the Wisconsin figure of $1,087. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 32% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $183,400, about 2.9 times the median household income. 77% of Crawford County households own their home and 23% rent. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.

In an owner-heavy county like Crawford County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.

Jobs and commutes in Crawford County

The biggest employer of Crawford County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by manufacturing (19%). Compared with Wisconsin, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (7% against 2%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.1% in Crawford County. Long commutes are the exception here: 13% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 6.0% of the total (6.4% statewide).

Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.

Crawford County towns compared

The table lists the 12 largest of 12 Census places in Crawford County, by population. Together all 12 hold about 9,150 people, so roughly 43% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $91,451 at the median in De Soto, $40,208 in Gays Mills. Live in one of these Crawford County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.

CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.

Counties near Crawford County

Six nearby counties, 23 to 41 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. All of the six report a higher median household income than Crawford County; Houston County is highest at $79,825 and Richland County lowest at $66,420. Some neighbors are in Iowa and Minnesota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Crawford County resident follows Wisconsin rules.

Room for a loan payment in Crawford County

Crawford County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):

• Start: $5,341 gross per month ($64,094 / 12)
• Housing at the median rent of $789 uses 15%
• At 35%, room after rent is $1,080 a month
• $1,615: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid

Two-income households and single earners in Crawford County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.

What the numbers mean for Crawford County borrowers

Where the Crawford County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:

• Repairs on manufactured housing. With 14% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
• Benefit income. With half of residents older than 47, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
• Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).

Crawford County residents: age, schooling, coverage

18% of Crawford County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 7.0% of residents have no health coverage.

Steps before you apply in Crawford County

Four checks before you sign anything:

• Price the Crawford County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
• Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
• Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
• Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.

Licensing and complaints for Crawford County

Before sharing details with a lender, a Crawford County resident can confirm its license with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Wisconsin: Wisconsin personal loans.

Related local guides

For statewide rules and data, see the Wisconsin guide.

• Wisconsin state guide