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La Crosse, WI

Frequently asked questions

La Crosse, WI

La Crosse is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of La Crosse County. Positioned alongside the Mississippi River, La Crosse is the largest city on Wisconsin's western border. La Crosse's population as of the 2020 census was 52,680. The city forms the core of and is the principal city in the La Crosse–Onalaska Metropolitan Area, which includes all of La Crosse County and Houston County, Minnesota, with a population of 139,627.

La Crosse's economy serves as a regional educational, medical, manufacturing, and transportation hub for Western Wisconsin producing a gross domestic product (GDP) of $9.7 billion as of 2022. The La Crosse area is home to the headquarters or regional offices of Kwik Trip, Organic Valley, Mayo Clinic, Gundersen Health System, Gensler, Logistics Health Incorporated, La Crosse Technology, City Brewing Company, and Trane. La Crosse County is a top ten tourist destination in the state with $433 million in travel-related spending generated in 2023.

The first Europeans to see the region were French fur traders who traveled the Mississippi River in the late 17th century. There is no written record of any visit to the site until 1805 when Lt. Zebulon Pike mounted an expedition up the Mississippi River for the United States. Pike recorded the location's name as "Prairie La Crosse". The name originated from the game with sticks that resembled a bishop's crozier or la crosse in French, which was played by Native Americans there.

La Crosse is located on the western border of the midsection of Wisconsin, on a broad alluvial plain along the east side of the Mississippi River. The Black River empties into the Mississippi north of the city, and the La Crosse River flows into the Mississippi just north of the downtown area. Just upriver from its mouth, this river broadens into a marshland that splits the city into two distinct sections, north and south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.79 square miles (61.62 km²), of which, 21.7 square miles (56.20 km²) is land and 2.08 square miles (5.39 km²) is water.

Surrounding the relatively flat prairie valley where La Crosse lies are towering 500-foot (150 m) bluffs, one of the most prominent of which is Grandad Bluff (mentioned in Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain), which has an overlook of the three states region. This feature typifies the topography of the Driftless Area in which La Crosse sits. This rugged region is composed of high ridges dissected by narrow valleys called coulees, a French term. As a result, the area around La Crosse is frequently referred to as the "Coulee Region".

Health and wellness are paramount in La Crosse, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Gundersen Health System Hospitals & Clinics is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Snap Fitness, Premier Fitness and Wellness, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around La Crosse, such as the Bicentennial Trail and Ironman and Butterfly Trail Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites to visit in La Crosse, WI are Riverside Park, Grandad Bluff Park, and Dahl Auto Museum.

Population: 51,049 (2024). ZIP codes: 54601, 54602, 54603. Area code: 608. Elevation: 656 feet (200 m). Area: 22.54 square miles (58.4 km²).

FAQs

What is the crime rate in La Crosse, WI?

La Crosse is a larger medium-sized city located in the state of Wisconsin. With a population of 51,000 people and 18 constituent neighborhoods, La Crosse is the 12th largest community in Wisconsin, with a crime rate of 34 per one thousand residents, La Crosse has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 29.

Is La Crosse, WI a good place to retire?

If you retire in La Crosse, you can look forward to fall weather activities such as biking on a bike path, hiking, enjoying a walking path, and more! Fall temperatures are cold with averages in the upper 40's and highs in the upper 50's. Nights are cold with lows in the low 40's. Expect some rainy days in the fall.

What is the poverty rate in La Crosse, WI?

The average household income in La Crosse is $71,736 with a poverty rate of 21.02%. The median rental costs in recent years come to - per month, and the median house value is. The median age in La Crosse is 30 years, 30.9 years for males, and 28.8 years for females.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of La Crosse

Gundersen Health System Hospitals & Clinics 

La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department 

Snap Fitness

Premier Fitness and Wellness 

Anytime Fitness

Bicentennial Trail 

Ironman and Butterfly Trail Loop

Riverside Park

Grandad Bluff Park

Dahl Auto Museum

Neighborhood Scout

Best Place to Retire

World Population Review

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.