Onalaska, WI Demographics

A map of Onalaska's Population by Race

Onalaska, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 19,348, a slight increase from the 18,803 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 84.6% White, 5.3% Asian, 3.9% Multiracial, 2.7% Black, 2.6% Hispanic, and 0.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Onalaska, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Onalaska has become slightly 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 Onalaska, that probability was 28.8% in 2020 and 27.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Onalaska is ranked the 42nd 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). Onalaska was ranked the 45th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Onalaska's White Population

16,362 residents of Onalaska, or 84.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Onalaska is higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. Onalaska ranks 663rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Onalaska's White population has grown by an estimated 3.8%. White residents' share of Onalaska's population has increased from 83.9% to 84.6%.

Onalaska is less White than neighboring French Island (92% White), La Crosse (86.6% White), Holmen (87.7% White), Brice Prairie (88.7% White), and La Crescent (89.3% White).

Onalaska's Black Population

527 residents of Onalaska, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Onalaska is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. Onalaska ranks 185th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Onalaska's Black population has grown by an estimated 160.9%. Black residents' share of Onalaska's population has increased from 1.1% to 2.7%.

Onalaska is more Black than neighboring French Island (1.2% Black), La Crosse (2% Black), Holmen (0.4% Black), Brice Prairie (0.6% Black), and La Crescent (0% Black).

Onalaska's Asian Population

1,032 residents of Onalaska, or 5.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Onalaska is slightly higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Onalaska ranks 7th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Onalaska's Asian population has declined by an estimated 31.7%. Asian residents' share of Onalaska's population has decreased from 8.0% to 5.3%.

Onalaska is more Asian than neighboring French Island (2.1% Asian), La Crosse (4.4% Asian), Brice Prairie (0% Asian), and La Crescent (2.8% Asian). Onalaska is less Asian than neighboring Holmen (6.4% Asian).

Onalaska's Hispanic Population

498 residents of Onalaska, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Onalaska is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. Onalaska ranks 474th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Onalaska's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Onalaska's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Onalaska is more Hispanic than neighboring French Island (1.1% Hispanic), Holmen (1.1% Hispanic), Brice Prairie (0.1% Hispanic), and La Crescent (2.4% Hispanic). Onalaska is less Hispanic than neighboring La Crosse (3.4% Hispanic).

Onalaska's Native American/Other Population

167 residents of Onalaska, or 0.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Onalaska is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Onalaska ranks 364th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Onalaska's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 34.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Onalaska's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Onalaska is more Native American/Other than neighboring French Island (0.6% Native American/Other), La Crosse (0.3% Native American/Other), Holmen (0.4% Native American/Other), and La Crescent (0.6% Native American/Other). Onalaska is less Native American/Other than neighboring Brice Prairie (7.6% Native American/Other).

Onalaska's Multiracial Population

762 residents of Onalaska, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Onalaska is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Onalaska ranks 237th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Onalaska's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 7.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Onalaska's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.9%.

Onalaska is more Multiracial than neighboring French Island (3% Multiracial), La Crosse (3.4% Multiracial), and Brice Prairie (3% Multiracial). Onalaska is less Multiracial than neighboring Holmen (4% Multiracial), and La Crescent (4.9% 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.