1st Advantage MortgageThe median Waupaca County household earns $72,830, and 10% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Waupaca County by the numbers
- Income in Waupaca County compared with Wisconsin
- Jobs and commutes in Waupaca County
- Waupaca County housing compared with Wisconsin
- How Waupaca County compares with nearby counties
- Waupaca County towns compared
- A Waupaca County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Waupaca County
- Borrowing situations common in Waupaca County
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Wisconsin
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Waupaca County by the numbers
Waupaca County is home to about 51,569 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 29th most populous of 72 county-level areas in Wisconsin. Packed into 748 square miles, that is close to 69 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Waupaca County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 14 Census places inside Waupaca County, New London leads by population with about 7,726; 11 of the 14 are incorporated.
Income in Waupaca County compared with Wisconsin
The median household income in Waupaca County is $72,830; statewide it is $77,485, so Waupaca County runs 6% below Wisconsin as a whole. In the state ranking that is 37th of 72.
| Band | Waupaca County | Compared with Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.4% | +3.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | +0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.2% | -0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -3.5 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. 10.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Waupaca County median.
Jobs and commutes in Waupaca County
By the Census industry count, 30% of employed Waupaca County residents work in manufacturing and 18% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 30% locally and 18% for Wisconsin. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.8% in Waupaca County. 16% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. Only 5.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Waupaca County | Compared with Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 29.8% | +11.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.4% | -5.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.0% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.3% | -1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.2% | -3.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Waupaca County housing compared with Wisconsin
Renters in Waupaca County pay a median of $852 a month, 22% below the Wisconsin figure of $1,087. By the Census definition, 46% of Waupaca County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $211,400, or 2.9 years of median income. The ownership rate is 75%.
| Measure | Waupaca County | Wisconsin | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $852/mo | $1,087/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $211,400 | $266,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.8% | 3.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 11% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Waupaca 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.
How Waupaca County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 38 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Waupaca County; Outagamie County is highest at $85,069 and Menominee County lowest at $62,108.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waupaca County | - | $72,830 | $852/mo | 75% |
| Shawano County, WI | 24 mi | $66,479 | $821/mo | 78% |
| Outagamie County, WI | 25 mi | $85,069 | $1,057/mo | 71% |
| Portage County, WI | 26 mi | $76,070 | $940/mo | 70% |
| Waushara County, WI | 29 mi | $67,107 | $796/mo | 84% |
| Winnebago County, WI | 31 mi | $74,925 | $965/mo | 66% |
| Menominee County, WI | 38 mi | $62,108 | $626/mo | 76% |
Waupaca County towns compared
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 14 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 53% of Waupaca County residents live in one of the 14. Incomes vary by place: $88,393 at the median in Manawa, $44,735 in Iola. Rent is cheapest in Fremont ($709) and steepest in Clintonville ($927). Live in one of these Waupaca County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New London | city | 7,726 | $60,612 | $837 | 13 mi |
| Waupaca | city | 6,283 | $52,727 | $783 | 10 mi |
| Clintonville | city | 4,580 | $53,304 | $927 | 15 mi |
| Weyauwega | city | 1,789 | $66,625 | $844 | 11 mi |
| King | CDP | 1,399 | $84,183 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Manawa | city | 1,337 | $88,393 | $819 | 3 mi |
| Iola | village | 1,286 | $44,735 | $766 | 8 mi |
| Chain O' Lakes | CDP | 908 | $83,194 | $768 | 14 mi |
| Fremont | village | 650 | $68,750 | $709 | 16 mi |
| Scandinavia | village | 379 | $59,375 | $711 | 9 mi |
| Northport | CDP | 373 | $92,292 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Embarrass | village | 284 | $58,750 | $619 | 19 mi |
| Ogdensburg | village | 189 | $59,479 | $906 | 3 mi |
| Big Falls | village | 134 | n/a | $933 | 10 mi |
A Waupaca County household budget, worked through
Here is the Waupaca County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Waupaca County: $6,069
- Rent at the median, $852, takes 14% of that
- Under a 35% cap, $2,124 total minus rent leaves $1,272
- Under a 45% cap, $2,731 total minus rent leaves $1,879
Two-income households and single earners in Waupaca County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Waupaca County
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. 5.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Waupaca County | Wisconsin | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.3 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.5% | 33.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.9% | 5.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.9% | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.4% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.8% | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Waupaca County
What the Waupaca County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Fixed incomes. Waupaca County's median age is 45.3. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- 46% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Waupaca County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Waupaca County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Wisconsin license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Waupaca County credit union about member loans.
Checking a lender's license in Wisconsin
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Waupaca County borrowers answers to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Wisconsin guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Wisconsin guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Waupaca County earn?
The median is $72,830; 34% earn $100,000 or more and 23% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Waupaca County?
$852 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Waupaca County?
By population: New London, Waupaca, Clintonville, Weyauwega, King. The county has 14 Census places in all.
Will a Waupaca County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Wisconsin as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Is there a Waupaca County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Wisconsin it is the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.