La Crosse, WI Demographics
A map of La Crosse's Population by Race
La Crosse, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 51,356, a slight decrease from the 52,680 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.6% White, 4.4% Asian, 3.4% Hispanic, 3.4% Multiracial, 2.0% Black, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of La Crosse, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.
La Crosse has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Wisconsin overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In La Crosse, that probability was 28.2% in 2020 and 24.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.
La Crosse is ranked the 12th most populous place in Wisconsin, out of 808 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). La Crosse was ranked the 12th most populous place in the 2020 Census.
La Crosse's White Population
44,470 residents of La Crosse, or 86.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in La Crosse is higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. La Crosse ranks 654th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.
Since the 2020 Census, La Crosse's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of La Crosse's population has increased from 84.4% to 86.6%.
La Crosse is more White than neighboring Onalaska (84.6% White). La Crosse is less White than neighboring French Island (92% White), La Crescent (89.3% White), Dresbach (97.9% White), and Brownsville (87.5% White).
La Crosse's Black Population
1,017 residents of La Crosse, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in La Crosse is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. La Crosse ranks 59th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.
Since the 2020 Census, La Crosse's Black population has declined by an estimated 31.7%. Black residents' share of La Crosse's population has decreased from 2.8% to 2.0%.
La Crosse is more Black than neighboring French Island (1.2% Black), La Crescent (0% Black), Dresbach (0% Black), and Brownsville (0% Black). La Crosse is less Black than neighboring Onalaska (2.7% Black).
La Crosse's Asian Population
2,239 residents of La Crosse, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in La Crosse is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. La Crosse ranks 36th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.
Since the 2020 Census, La Crosse's Asian population has declined by an estimated 12.5%. Asian residents' share of La Crosse's population has decreased from 4.9% to 4.4%.
La Crosse is more Asian than neighboring French Island (2.1% Asian), La Crescent (2.8% Asian), Dresbach (0.3% Asian), and Brownsville (1% Asian). La Crosse is less Asian than neighboring Onalaska (5.3% Asian).
La Crosse's Hispanic Population
1,724 residents of La Crosse, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in La Crosse is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. La Crosse ranks 381st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.
Since the 2020 Census, La Crosse's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.8%. Hispanic residents' share of La Crosse's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.
La Crosse is more Hispanic than neighboring French Island (1.1% Hispanic), Onalaska (2.6% Hispanic), La Crescent (2.4% Hispanic), Dresbach (0.7% Hispanic), and Brownsville (1.5% Hispanic).
La Crosse's Native American/Other Population
138 residents of La Crosse, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in La Crosse is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. La Crosse ranks 272nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.
Since the 2020 Census, La Crosse's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 70.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of La Crosse's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.3%.
La Crosse is more Native American/Other than neighboring Dresbach (0% Native American/Other). La Crosse is less Native American/Other than neighboring French Island (0.6% Native American/Other), Onalaska (0.9% Native American/Other), and La Crescent (0.6% Native American/Other).
La Crosse's Multiracial Population
1,768 residents of La Crosse, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in La Crosse is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. La Crosse ranks 228th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.
Since the 2020 Census, La Crosse's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 12.4%. Multiracial residents' share of La Crosse's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.
La Crosse is more Multiracial than neighboring French Island (3% Multiracial), and Dresbach (1% Multiracial). La Crosse is less Multiracial than neighboring Onalaska (3.9% Multiracial), La Crescent (4.9% Multiracial), and Brownsville (9.7% Multiracial).
Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.