Living in Amherst, Wisconsin
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Amherst · Census data 2020–2024
Amherst has 1,113 residents with a median age of 50.3. The median household income is $64,922 (16% lower than the Wisconsin median), the median home value is $244,300, the median rent is $856/month.
Amherst is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Amherst at a glance
- Population
- 1,113
- Median age
- 50.3State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $64,922State: $77,485
- Median home value
- $244,300State: $266,500
- Median rent
- $856/moState: $1,087
- Homeowners
- 67.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34.3%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Amherst a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 8% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 0.8%; a poverty rate of 6.6%.
Cons: Median household income 16% lower than the Wisconsin median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Amherst
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Amherst the median home value is $244,300, 27% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $856 per month, which is 25.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,094 a month in housing costs.
Amherst median household income
The median household income in Amherst is $64,922 and the income per person is $37,174. 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Wisconsin: 10.6%).
Housing in Amherst: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 603
- Owner-occupied
- 67.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 32.6%
- Vacant
- 6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 1.96
Amherst demographics
- Population
- 1,113
- Median age
- 50.3
- Under 18
- 16.5%
- 65 and older
- 25.1%
- Households
- 567
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 4.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Amherst ›
Education in Amherst
34.3% of adults 25 and older in Amherst have a bachelor's degree or higher (Wisconsin: 33.4%), and 11.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Amherst
- Unemployment rate
- 0.8%State: 3.2%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 22 min
- Work from home
- 17.5%
- Drive alone
- 75%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.4%
Amherst vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst | 1,113 | $64,922 | $244,300 | $856 |
| Amherst Junction | 341 | $106,250 | $314,300 | $900 |
| Nelsonville | 190 | $58,542 | $160,900 | $790 |
| Scandinavia | 379 | $59,375 | $165,900 | $711 |
| Iola | 1,286 | $44,735 | $164,200 | $766 |
| Chain O' Lakes | 908 | $83,194 | $640,000 | $768 |
| King | 1,399 | $84,183 | $145,900 | — |
| Polonia | 776 | $119,154 | $342,700 | $1,274 |
| Waupaca | 6,283 | $52,727 | $175,600 | $783 |
More for people moving to Amherst
Amherst ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Amherst: FAQ
What is the median household income in Amherst, WI?
The median household income in Amherst is $64,922, 16% lower than the Wisconsin median of $77,485 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Amherst?
The median home value in Amherst is $244,300, compared with $266,500 in Wisconsin.
How much is rent in Amherst?
The median gross rent in Amherst is $856 per month, about 25.9% of household income.
Is Amherst, WI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 8% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 0.8%; a poverty rate of 6.6%. Minuses: median household income 16% lower than the Wisconsin median.
What is the median age in Amherst?
The median age in Amherst is 50.3 years (Wisconsin: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Amherst?
The average commute to work in Amherst is 21 minutes; 17.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Amherst?
The unemployment rate in Amherst is 0.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Amherst?
34.3% of adults in Amherst have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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