Living in Portage, Wisconsin
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Portage · Census data 2020–2024
Portage has 10,236 residents with a median age of 37.8. The median household income is $64,722 (16% lower than the Wisconsin median), the median home value is $204,900, the median rent is $1,008/month.
Portage at a glance
- Population
- 10,236
- Median age
- 37.8State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $64,722State: $77,485
- Median home value
- $204,900State: $266,500
- Median rent
- $1,008/moState: $1,087
- Homeowners
- 58.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.9%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Portage a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 16% lower than the Wisconsin median; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 13.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Portage
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Portage the median home value is $204,900, 38% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,008 per month, which is 24.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,497 a month in housing costs.
Portage median household income
The median household income in Portage is $64,722 and the income per person is $31,118. 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Wisconsin: 10.6%).
Housing in Portage: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,446
- Owner-occupied
- 58.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.4%
- Vacant
- 7.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1962
- Average household size
- 2.21
Portage demographics
- Population
- 10,236
- Median age
- 37.8
- Under 18
- 19.1%
- 65 and older
- 14.8%
- Households
- 4,132
- Foreign-born
- 4.2%
- Veterans
- 7.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Portage ›
Education in Portage
19.9% of adults 25 and older in Portage have a bachelor's degree or higher (Wisconsin: 33.4%), and 8.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Portage
- Unemployment rate
- 3.7%State: 3.2%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 22 min
- Work from home
- 6.4%
- Drive alone
- 79.6%
- Public transit
- 0.6%
- Walk to work
- 2.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.6%
Portage vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage | 10,236 | $64,722 | $204,900 | $1,008 |
| Dekorra | 161 | $120,227 | $275,000 | — |
| Pardeeville | 1,672 | $64,902 | $230,400 | $926 |
| Wyocena | 676 | $83,269 | $223,500 | $967 |
| Briggsville | 320 | $67,344 | $261,700 | $900 |
| Poynette | 2,678 | $93,500 | $296,600 | $821 |
| Endeavor | 458 | $55,313 | $147,900 | $620 |
| Rio | 1,141 | $67,833 | $196,100 | $799 |
| Lake Wisconsin | 5,384 | $124,127 | $452,400 | $1,515 |
More for people moving to Portage
Portage ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Portage: FAQ
What is the median household income in Portage, WI?
The median household income in Portage is $64,722, 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 Portage?
The median home value in Portage is $204,900, compared with $266,500 in Wisconsin.
How much is rent in Portage?
The median gross rent in Portage is $1,008 per month, about 24.3% of household income.
Is Portage, WI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 16% lower than the Wisconsin median; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 13.5%.
What is the median age in Portage?
The median age in Portage is 37.8 years (Wisconsin: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Portage?
The average commute to work in Portage is 22 minutes; 6.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Portage?
The unemployment rate in Portage is 3.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Portage?
19.9% of adults in Portage 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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