Community Profile

In a city forged between the bluffs and the Mississippi River, La Crosse is considered a great place to work, play, and live. Residents have access to great schools, stunning nature, excellent work environments, and safe neighborhoods. According to Livability, La Crosse was named the 89^th best city to live in throughout the entire United States in 2022.

With all that La Crosse has to offer, employers are able to attract and retain a high-quality workforce. The most prominent industries in La Crosse are health care, education, manufacturing, and retail which attract employees from all over the state and country. La Crosse houses many global headquarters of corporations including Kwik Trip, Gundersen Health System, City Brewing Company, Marine Credit Union, and more.  La Crosse is a great place to live, raise a family, pursue a career, or start a business. We welcome you to Wisconsin’s West Coast.

Quality of Life

The Mississippi River, the Black River, and the La Crosse River meet in the City of La Crosse.
With the gorgeous bluffs rising to the east and the mighty river to the west, La Crosse is nestled in a unique scenic region within the Driftless Area. The Driftless Region, located on the Mississippi, was left untouched by glaciers during the last Ice Age. It left this region with a distinctive landscape which includes rolling hills and deep river valleys.

The bluffs, rivers, forests and prairies of the Driftless region offer exceptional recreational activities whether that includes hiking, biking, paddling, and more. The City of La Crosse has 42 parks scattered throughout the City for residents to enjoy daily outdoor activities.

In addition to abundant recreation activities, La Crosse offers an array of shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. The historic downtown provides local restaurants and shops all within walking distance. Additionally, Valley View Mall is only a short drive away. The Pump House Regional Arts Center, the La Crosse Community Theatre, and multiple movie theaters in La Crosse contribute entertainment opportunities for the whole family to share.

La Crosse also offers opportunities for higher education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College. These higher education facilities bring in over 20,000 students to the city annually. According to US News & World Report’s Best Colleges for 2023, UW-La Crosse has continued to be the top-ranked comprehensive university in the UW System. Great education continues with the K-12 system; the La Crosse School District has 20 schools throughout the district with an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

La Crosse is a versatile city with plenty to offer. Whether you want to complete an early-morning sunrise hike or have a late-night out, La Crosse has something for everyone.

La Crosse at a Glance

• City Population: 52,680
• Metropolitan Statistical Area Population: 139,627
• Unemployment rate: 3.0% (2021 average)
• Per Capita Income: $27,398
• Median Household Income: $46,438
• Median Age: 29.2
• Average travel time to work: 16 minutes
• Higher Education Institutions: 3
• Medical Institutions (hospital beds): 2 (656)
• Miles of Trails (Hiking, Biking, CC Skiing): 40
• Median Home Price: $150,500
• Lodging Rooms: 5,100