County Data
Crawford County, Wisconsin
Crawford County is a small county with a lot working in its favor. The data below tells that story -- from workforce and demographics to infrastructure, cost of living, and key industries. Whether you're a site selector running initial screening, a developer evaluating feasibility, or someone considering a move, these numbers give you a foundation. DDI can fill in the gaps.
16,042
2024 Population
$64,094
Median Household Income
47
Median Age
6,861
Employed Population
$183,400
Median Property Value
77%
Homeownership Rate
Economy & Key Industries
Manufacturing leads employment with 1,284 workers, followed by healthcare (899) and retail (839). Agriculture and tourism add significant economic depth beyond the headline numbers.
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Manufacturing — 1,284 employed
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Healthcare & social assistance — 899
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Retail trade — 839
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Agriculture — economic & cultural force countywide
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Tourism — meaningful seasonal layer
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Construction — 38 active establishments signaling ongoing development interest
Workforce & Labor
Crawford County's employed population of 6,861 reflects a healthy, fully engaged local economy — not a ceiling on what's possible. A 2% unemployment rate means the county's existing workforce is working. It also means that quality job creation is itself a workforce strategy: attracting workers from within the regional commute radius, returning the residents who currently commute out, and drawing households who are actively looking for a place like this.
The regional labor picture is larger than the county line.
Crawford County sits at the center of a multi-county, bi-state labor market. Within a 45-minute drive, the workforce expands to include workers from Vernon, Grant, Richland, and La Crosse counties in Wisconsin and Clayton and Allamakee counties in Iowa. La Crosse, 35 minutes north, adds significant depth, including graduates from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College.
Key workforce characteristics:
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Top industries by employment —Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail Trade
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Average commute time: 23 minutes — well below regional and national averages
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Management and production occupations lead by job group
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Regional training pipeline through Western Technical College and Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Infrastructure & Connectivity
Highway access in all directions
WI-35 along the Mississippi, US-18 east-west through Prairie du Chien connecting to Madison and Iowa, US-61 through the Kickapoo Valley
Direct Mississippi River Crossings
One at Prairie du Chien; second crossing at De Soto under reconstruction, new bridge opening 2027
BNSF Railway Mainline
Runs long the Mississippi -- freight access for manufacturing, agriculture, and distribution
Mississippi River Barge Access
For bulk commodity shipping
Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport
On-site general aviation, 5,000 ft runway, Jet-A fuel, capable of handling corporate and business jet traffic
La Crosse Regional Airport
Commercial service via American, United, and Allegiant with direct flights to Chicago O'Hare, Phoenix, and Orlando
Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa Airport
International commercial service, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes southwest
Madison Dane County Airport
Major regional hub; 2 hours east
County-Wide Fiber Broadband Network
Multiple providers throughout the county - view map
Municipal Water & Sewer
Throughout incorporated communities
Cost of Business
Crawford County communities are actively seeking development partners. Available land for commercial, industrial, and housing development exists throughout the county, with local governments eager to work with incoming businesses on project-specific needs -- including potential TIF financing in Prairie du Chien and other communities.
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Affordable land and real estate relative to urban Wisconsin markets
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Active TIF districts -- contact DDI for current district details
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State incentive programs available through WEDC including tax credits, grants, and financing tools
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Crawford County qualifies for distressed community designations that unlock additional state and federal program eligibility
Data
Resources
Data tells part of the story. DDI can walk you through what these numbers mean for your specific project.