Metro area profile · Wisconsin
Eau Claire, WI metro area market data
How the Eau Claire metro area compares with other metro areas for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 176,647
- +2.6% since 2020
- Households
- 71,865
- Median household income
- $74,595
- +25.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $259,900
- Jobs located here
- 86,835
- Highest market score
- 77
- Dentists and orthodontists, #15 of 387 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Eau Claire metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Eau Claire metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Eau Claire metro area has an estimated 176,647 people and 71,865 households. Population estimates show the Eau Claire metro area grew 2.6% from 2020 to 2025, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in the Eau Claire metro area is $74,595, 8% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 25.2%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Eau Claire metro area runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 115, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (67).
Of the business types scored in the Eau Claire metro area, dentists and orthodontists (77), optometrists and eye clinics (77) and tire shops (77) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For dentists and orthodontists, that ranks #15 of 387 scored metro areas.
The Eau Claire metro area takes in 2 counties: Eau Claire County and Chippewa County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for chiropractors (twice the U.S. rate) and lowest for mortgage brokers and lenders (58% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Eau Claire metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Eau Claire metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists and orthodontists | 77 | #15 of 387 | 75 | 10.4 | $1.3M | 136 | 46 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 77 | #21 of 386 | 22 | 3.1 | $4.6M | 145 | 9 |
| Tire shops | 77 | #24 of 386 | 23 | 3.2 | $3.4M | 137 | 7 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 77 | #31 of 387 | 28 | 3.9 | $3.6M | 201 | 85 |
| Physical therapy | 74 | #31 of 386 | 26 | 3.6 | $3.9M | 160 | 23 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 73 | #38 of 387 | 490 | 68.2 | $204K | 134 | 211 |
| Car washes and detailing | 71 | #43 of 387 | 31 | 4.3 | $2.6M | 101 | 7 |
| Grocery stores | 71 | #53 of 387 | 37 | 5.1 | $11.7M | 126 | 18 |
| Nail salons | 70 | #37 of 387 | 22 | 3.1 | $3.2M | 192 | 12 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 68 | #52 of 387 | 50 | 7.0 | $5.5M | 133 | 37 |
| Barbershops | 64 | #85 of 387 | 24 | 3.3 | $2.9M | 156 | 4 |
| Pet stores | 61 | #111 of 382 | 9 | 1.3 | $6.6M | 147 | 6 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 59 | #103 of 373 | 13 | 1.8 | Index only | 197 | Under 3 |
| Pizza | 59 | #117 of 387 | 57 | 7.9 | $4.8M | 95 | 117 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 57 | #121 of 387 | 29 | 4.0 | $2.1M | 106 | 16 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 55 | #158 of 387 | 44 | 6.1 | $4.4M | 92 | 45 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 54 | #153 of 387 | 364 | 50.7 | $758K | 114 | 139 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 54 | #166 of 387 | 74 | 10.3 | $3.7M | 101 | 34 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 54 | #176 of 387 | 110 | 15.3 | $2.5M | 82 | 117 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 53 | #188 of 387 | 164 | 22.8 | $851K | 97 | 51 |
| Veterinarians | 52 | #180 of 384 | 23 | 3.2 | $2.6M | 96 | 18 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 52 | #185 of 381 | 22 | 3.1 | $3.6M | 117 | 24 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 52 | #191 of 387 | 170 | 23.7 | $2.5M | 75 | 18 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 51 | #190 of 387 | 782 | 108.8 | $353K | 95 | 293 |
| Auto repair and car care | 51 | #198 of 387 | 305 | 42.4 | $260K | 97 | 114 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 51 | #204 of 387 | 121 | 16.8 | $1.2M | 91 | 47 |
| Gas stations | 50 | #194 of 387 | 71 | 9.9 | $2.8M | 119 | 88 |
| Pet businesses | 50 | #194 of 387 | 70 | 9.7 | $854K | 97 | 42 |
| Auto repair shops | 47 | #229 of 387 | 179 | 24.9 | $442K | 99 | 92 |
| Real estate | 46 | #224 of 387 | 217 | 30.2 | Index only | 106 | 99 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 46 | #227 of 387 | 101 | 14.1 | $613K | 93 | 44 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 45 | #231 of 387 | 168 | 23.4 | Index only | 109 | 55 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 45 | #238 of 386 | 25 | 3.5 | $2.4M | 94 | 18 |
| Laundromats | 44 | #215 of 364 | 14 | 1.9 | $10M | 80 | 4 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 44 | #258 of 387 | 340 | 47.3 | $208K | 98 | 85 |
| Spas and skin care | 43 | #257 of 387 | 85 | 11.8 | $830K | 95 | 17 |
| Pest control | 40 | #244 of 345 | 9 | 1.3 | $9.7M | 95 | 11 |
| Gyms | 39 | #294 of 387 | 56 | 7.8 | $1.1M | 85 | 28 |
| Home repair trades | 38 | #290 of 387 | 111 | 15.4 | $1.7M | 72 | 108 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 37 | #289 of 347 | 16 | 2.2 | $3.9M | 95 | 28 |
| Hair salons | 36 | #332 of 387 | 198 | 27.6 | $356K | 83 | 52 |
| Child care and preschools | 35 | #295 of 387 | 39 | 5.4 | $719K | 72 | 40 |
| Insurance agencies | 34 | #279 of 387 | 108 | 15.0 | $1.1M | 90 | 82 |
| Funeral homes | 34 | #288 of 377 | 20 | 2.8 | $503K | 74 | 11 |
| Convenience stores | 34 | #301 of 387 | 93 | 12.9 | $4.7M | 59 | Under 3 |
| Electricians | 34 | #323 of 383 | 23 | 3.2 | $8.4M | 70 | 47 |
| House cleaning | 33 | #313 of 375 | 18 | 2.5 | $4.9M | 76 | 41 |
| Property management | 32 | #336 of 374 | 33 | 4.6 | Index only | 55 | 29 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 31 | #318 of 385 | 47 | 6.5 | $1.9M | 64 | 68 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 30 | #335 of 387 | 74 | 10.3 | $1.2M | 71 | 120 |
| Roofing and gutters | 28 | #349 of 381 | 44 | 6.1 | $4.4M | 52 | 16 |
| Chiropractors | 27 | #361 of 386 | 79 | 11.0 | $1.3M | 53 | 48 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 0.6 | $34.9M | 223 | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 0.6 | $19.8M | 144 | 8 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.4 | Index only | 127 | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.3 | $50.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Eau Claire metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $79.2M | $1,102 | 115 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $201.1M | $2,799 | 108 |
| Food away from home | $276.1M | $3,842 | 94 |
| Groceries | $432.7M | $6,022 | 95 |
| Personal care products and services | $70.6M | $982 | 98 |
| Child care and other personal services | $28M | $390 | 67 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $61.9M | $862 | 88 |
| Medical and dental services | $100.2M | $1,394 | 108 |
| Pets | $59.8M | $832 | 91 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $139.5M | $1,942 | 94 |
| Vehicle insurance | $122.2M | $1,700 | 87 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $193.2M | $2,689 | 89 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $87.6M | $1,219 | 86 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $1B | $13,916 | 84 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Eau Claire metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 176,647+2.6% since 2020
- Households
- 71,865
- Median age
- 39.3
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 66%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 1,646 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 106
- Median household income
- $74,595+25.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $97,224
- Median home value
- $259,900
- Jobs located here
- 86,835
- Daytime population
- 182,644Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Eau Claire metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Eau Claire metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Eau Claire metro area 2
- Eau Claire County, WI107,116 people
- Chippewa County, WI66,799 people
Other markets based in Wisconsin 12
- Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area1,568,938 people
- Madison, WI metro area691,830 people
- Green Bay, WI metro area331,145 people
- Appleton, WI metro area245,768 people
- Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI metro area197,532 people
- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI metro area171,769 people
- La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area170,190 people
- Kenosha, WI metro area168,438 people
- Janesville-Beloit, WI metro area164,350 people
- Wausau, WI metro area138,403 people
- Sheboygan, WI metro area117,991 people
- Fond du Lac, WI metro area104,137 people
Questions
How fast is the Eau Claire, WI metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Eau Claire metro area at 176,647 people in 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 71,865 households. Median household income rose 25.2% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Eau Claire, WI metro area spend?
Households in the Eau Claire metro area spend about $1B a year on rent and homeowner costs, $432.7M on groceries and $276.1M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Eau Claire metro area spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 115, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (67).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Eau Claire, WI metro area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Eau Claire metro area are for dentists and orthodontists (77), optometrists and eye clinics (77) and tire shops (77). The Eau Claire metro area ranks #15 of 387 scored metro areas for dentists and orthodontists.
How does the Eau Claire, WI metro area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Eau Claire metro area is $74,595 a year, 8% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 2.6% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $259,900, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Eau Claire metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for chiropractors (twice the U.S. rate) and the fewest for mortgage brokers and lenders (58% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 52 of the 56 business types have a score in the Eau Claire metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Eau Claire metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in the Eau Claire metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Eau Claire metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.