Wausau, WI Demographics

A map of Wausau's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	31,022	30,857	77.6%	77.2%
Asian	4,161	4,722	10.4%	11.8%
Multiracial	2,176	1,720	5.4%	4.3%
Hispanic	2,169	1,650	5.4%	4.1%
Native American/Other	289	393	0.7%	1.0%
Black	179	652	0.4%	1.6%

Wausau, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 39,996, a less than 1% change from the 39,994 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 77.6% White, 10.4% Asian, 5.4% Hispanic, 5.4% Multiracial, 0.7% Native American/Other, and 0.4% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wausau, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wausau has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Wausau, that probability was 38.7% in 2020 and 38.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wausau is ranked the 18th 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). Wausau was ranked the 18th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wausau's White Population

31,022 residents of Wausau, or 77.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wausau is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. Wausau ranks 728th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wausau's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Wausau's population has remained roughly unchanged at 77.6%.

Wausau is more White than neighboring Schofield (77.2% White). Wausau is less White than neighboring Rib Mountain (88.5% White), Rothschild (87.9% White), Maine (93.1% White), and Weston (83.6% White).

Wausau's Black Population

179 residents of Wausau, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wausau is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. Wausau ranks 103rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wausau's Black population has declined by an estimated 72.5%. Black residents' share of Wausau's population has decreased from 1.6% to 0.4%.

Wausau is more Black than neighboring Rib Mountain (0% Black), Schofield (0% Black), and Maine (0.2% Black). Wausau is less Black than neighboring Rothschild (3.3% Black), and Weston (1.8% Black).

Wausau's Asian Population

4,161 residents of Wausau, or 10.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wausau is higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Wausau ranks 1st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wausau's Asian population has declined by an estimated 11.9%. Asian residents' share of Wausau's population has decreased from 11.8% to 10.4%.

Wausau is more Asian than neighboring Rib Mountain (8.3% Asian), Schofield (8.5% Asian), Rothschild (4.6% Asian), Maine (4% Asian), and Weston (7.7% Asian).

Wausau's Hispanic Population

2,169 residents of Wausau, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wausau is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. Wausau ranks 283rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wausau's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 31.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Wausau's population has increased from 4.1% to 5.4%.

Wausau is more Hispanic than neighboring Rib Mountain (1.9% Hispanic), Rothschild (0.8% Hispanic), Maine (1% Hispanic), and Weston (4.1% Hispanic). Wausau is less Hispanic than neighboring Schofield (7.4% Hispanic).

Wausau's Native American/Other Population

289 residents of Wausau, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wausau is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Wausau ranks 233rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wausau's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 26.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wausau's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Wausau is more Native American/Other than neighboring Rib Mountain (0.1% Native American/Other), Schofield (0% Native American/Other), Rothschild (0.1% Native American/Other), Maine (0% Native American/Other), and Weston (0.2% Native American/Other).

Wausau's Multiracial Population

2,176 residents of Wausau, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wausau is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Wausau ranks 135th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wausau's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 26.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Wausau's population has increased from 4.3% to 5.4%.

Wausau is more Multiracial than neighboring Rib Mountain (1.2% Multiracial), Rothschild (3.3% Multiracial), Maine (1.7% Multiracial), and Weston (2.7% Multiracial). Wausau is less Multiracial than neighboring Schofield (6.8% 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.