1st Advantage MortgageAbout 75% of Pierce County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $92,109. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Pierce County offer.
On this page
- Who lives in Pierce County
- The Pierce County job picture
- Pierce County against other Wisconsin counties
- Earnings across Pierce County households
- Pierce County housing compared with Wisconsin
- Places inside Pierce County
- Counties near Pierce County
- What a median Pierce County budget can carry
- Who lives in Pierce County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Pierce County
- Who licenses lenders for Pierce County residents
- Steps before you apply in Pierce County
- Beyond Pierce County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Pierce County
With an estimated 42,584 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Pierce County ranks 35th of 72 in Wisconsin for population. Packed into 574 square miles, that is close to 74 residents for every square mile of land. Pierce County counts toward the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI include it. The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (8 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is River Falls, with about 16,719 residents, or 39% of the county.
The Pierce County job picture
Education and health care (23%), manufacturing (19%) and retail trade (11%) lead Pierce County's job mix. Construction stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. Unemployment in Pierce County, ACS five-year: 3.2%; Wisconsin: 3.2%. About 75% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 2.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Pierce County | Compared with Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.4% | 0.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.6% | +0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.8% | +2.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.7% | -1.8 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Pierce County against other Wisconsin counties
Ranked against the other 71 county-level areas in Wisconsin, these are the Pierce County figures furthest from the middle.
- Pierce County ranks 2nd lowest of 72 Wisconsin counties for households without a vehicle: 2.7%, against 6.4% statewide. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
- On the share of households earning $100,000 or more, Pierce County sits near the top of Wisconsin at 47%, 5th highest of 72. High earners still overpay when they skip comparing offers.
- Median household income: $92,109 in Pierce County. Only 4 of 72 Wisconsin counties are higher. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
Earnings across Pierce County households
Pierce County households have a median income of $92,109 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 5th of 72 in Wisconsin.
| Yearly household income | Pierce County | Gap to Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.2% | -5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.9% | -4.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 36.3% | +7.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.6% | +1.4 pts |
About 15% of households earn under $35,000, while 47% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 9.8%, 1 point lower than the state's 10.6%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Pierce County housing compared with Wisconsin
$1,044 a month is the median gross rent in Pierce County, 4% below the state. 39% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 16% spend half or more. Home values center on $333,700, or 3.6 years of median income. Owners occupy 75% of homes. Nationally, Pierce County's $1,044 rent is 19% above the middle county.
| Pierce County | Wisconsin | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 75% | 68% | +7.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 44% | -4.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 22% | -2.7 pts |
| Median home value | $333,700 | $266,500 | 25% higher |
| Median gross rent | $1,044/mo | $1,087/mo | 4% lower |
Because most Pierce County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Places inside Pierce County
Places, by size: the top 10 of 10. Roughly 35% of Pierce County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $61,563 in Elmwood to $87,857 in Ellsworth. Rent is cheapest in Elmwood ($800) and steepest in Prescott ($1,189). This guide covers each of the 10 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Falls | city | 16,719 | $83,627 | $1,107 | 14 mi |
| Prescott | city | 4,503 | $74,412 | $1,189 | 18 mi |
| Ellsworth | village | 3,349 | $87,857 | $1,042 | 3 mi |
| Spring Valley | village | 1,290 | $69,750 | $955 | 13 mi |
| Elmwood | village | 629 | $61,563 | $800 | 14 mi |
| Plum City | village | 541 | $66,071 | $820 | 13 mi |
| Bay City | village | 327 | $57,857 | $1,109 | 9 mi |
| Hager City | CDP | 243 | $108,333 | $1,200 | 10 mi |
| Diamond Bluff | CDP | 192 | $105,000 | $1,375 | 11 mi |
| Maiden Rock | village | 85 | $89,375 | n/a | 12 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Counties near Pierce County
Six nearby counties, 21 to 31 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Pierce County's $92,109 median trails 3 of the six and beats 3; the range runs $74,824 (Dunn County) to $115,345 (Washington County). The list crosses into Minnesota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce County | - | $92,109 | $1,044/mo | 75% |
| St. Croix County, WI | 21 mi | $103,046 | $1,271/mo | 78% |
| Goodhue County, MN | 26 mi | $84,171 | $966/mo | 79% |
| Pepin County, WI | 30 mi | $75,256 | $869/mo | 83% |
| Dunn County, WI | 30 mi | $74,824 | $985/mo | 67% |
| Washington County, MN | 31 mi | $115,345 | $1,710/mo | 81% |
| Dakota County, MN | 31 mi | $106,318 | $1,548/mo | 75% |
What a median Pierce County budget can carry
Here is the Pierce County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Pierce County: $7,676
- Less median rent of $1,044, which is 14% of it
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,719 a month
If your rent is above $1,044, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Pierce County, in numbers
Degree holders: 33% of adults over 25. Health coverage gaps: 3.1% of Pierce County residents are uninsured.
| Measure | Pierce County | Gap to Wisconsin | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 2.7% | -3.7 pts | -2.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 3.7% | -2.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.1% | -2.1 pts | -4.7 pts |
| Median age | 38.8 | -1.4 yrs | -2.7 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | -0.8 pts | -3.4 pts |
| Work from home | 12.8% | -0.3 pts | +4.1 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.5% | +0.1 pts | +11.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 0.0 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Minutes to work | Pierce County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.9% |
| 60+ min | 8.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Pierce County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Pierce County borrowers.
- Commuter costs. 19% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Higher earners. 47% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Who licenses lenders for Pierce County residents
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Wisconsin license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Wisconsin: Wisconsin personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Pierce County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Pierce County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Wisconsin license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Pierce County credit union about member loans.
Beyond Pierce County
The Wisconsin guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pierce County a high-income county?
Its $92,109 median ranks 5th of 72 Wisconsin counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Pierce County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,044 against $1,087 statewide, and 39% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Pierce County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers River Falls, Prescott, Ellsworth, Spring Valley, Elmwood and 5 more.
Does living in Pierce County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Pierce County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
What agency protects Pierce County borrowers?
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions at the state level and the CFPB federally.