Chippewa Falls
RANK #336 / 996 NAT · #26 / 29 WI · POP 66,254
1YR FORECAST: +3.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Chippewa County, Wisconsin, is often recognized for its natural beauty and the historic Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, a local landmark since 1867. Located in west-central Wisconsin, about 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the county seat of Chippewa Falls sits along the Chippewa River. The community offers a small-town atmosphere with access to outdoor recreation, including Lake Wissota State Park, which provides opportunities for camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and winter sports. Commute times within the county average around 21.3 minutes, below the national average.
Life in Chippewa County blends rural charm with accessible amenities. Many families reside here, and public schools are generally rated above average. The economy is diverse, with key sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and tourism. Notable employers include Associated Milk Producers Inc., Berry Global, and TTM Technologies Inc. Chippewa Valley Technical College provides training programs that align with local workforce needs. The county's economic development efforts focus on supporting existing businesses and attracting new investment, with initiatives like the Lake Wissota Business Park.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 66/100, Chippewa County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.9%, and median household income stands at $69,815 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in WI.
Housing in Chippewa County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $215,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $918/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Chippewa County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted +4.1% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 6.26% of Chippewa County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.