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Wausau, WI
City in Marathon County, Wisconsin. ZIP codes: 54401.
Population
39,996
Land area
19.2sq mi
People per sq mi
2,080
ZIP codes
1
Wausau and its ZIP codes
Wausau at a glance
- Wausau is about 19 times as dense as Wisconsin as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 18th among 808 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
- The median household income is $64,389, 17% below the Wisconsin median of $77,485.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $167,900 (37% below Wisconsin) and median rent is $1,010 a month.
Local data for Wausau, WI
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals2
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes3
- Schools20
- Colleges2
- Libraries1
- Banks17
- Post Offices1
- Parks38
- Grocery Stores17
- Restaurants122
- Affordable Housing5
- Home Health Agencies2
- Hospice Care3
- Dialysis Centers2
- Rehab & Long-Term Care Hospitals2
- Community Health Centers6
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment5
- Private Schools4
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools2
- Superfund Sites1
- Toxic Release Facilities6
- Historic Places16
Housing and community stats
Wausau, WI, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$64,389
Poverty rate
14.6%
Median home value
$167,900
Median rent
$1,010/mo
Homeownership
57.6%
Bachelor's or higher
30.9%
Median age
38.2
Average commute
15.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (15,881), Polish Americans (3,991), Hmong Americans (3,370).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Marathon County. PPP loans are for Wausau.
Unemployment rate
2.5%
Sep 2026, +0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$60,545
69,778 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$65,589
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$894M
FY 2026, $6,476 per person
How people get to work
Wausau, WI, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone71.6%
- Carpooled8.4%
- Public transit0.7%
- Walked2.6%
- Bicycle0.7%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.7%
- Worked from home14.3%
Average one-way commute: 15.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Wausau, WI, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: cold wave
Storm events since 1996
753
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
199
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
80° / 7°F
33.9 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone16 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Wausau, WI, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
36.8%
U.S. 33.3% +3.5 pts
Diabetes
11.2%
U.S. 12.1% -0.9 pts
Smoking
15.4%
U.S. 12.8% +2.6 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.7%
U.S. 11.1% -2.4 pts
ZIP codes in Wausau
1 in or overlapping Wausau. Population shown
Cities near Wausau
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| SchofieldCity | 3.9 mi | 2.1 |
| Rib MountainVillage | 4.4 mi | 24.5 |
| MaineVillage | 6.1 mi | 43.1 |
| RothschildVillage | 6.2 mi | 6.5 |
| WestonVillage | 6.7 mi | 21.7 |
| Marathon CityVillage | 9.5 mi | 3.2 |
| KronenwetterVillage | 11 mi | 51.6 |
| MosineeCity | 12 mi | 7.8 |
| MerrillCity | 15 mi | 7.5 |
| EdgarVillage | 16 mi | 1.8 |
| HatleyVillage | 16 mi | 1 |
| KnowltonCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 1 |
| FenwoodVillage | 19 mi | 1 |
| AthensVillage | 21 mi | 2.5 |
| BirnamwoodVillage | 22 mi | 2.2 |
| AniwaVillage | 22 mi | 2.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Wausau, WI in?
- Wausau is in Marathon County, Wisconsin.
- What ZIP codes are in Wausau, WI?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Wausau include 54401.
- What is the population of Wausau, WI?
- About 39,996 people live in Wausau, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Wausau?
- Nearby places include Schofield (3.9 mi), Rib Mountain (4.4 mi), Maine (6.1 mi), Rothschild (6.2 mi), Weston (6.7 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023