Wisconsin

La Crosse

120,784
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 12,186. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 120,784.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 69 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020120,784
2010114,638
2000107,120
199097,904
198091,056
197080,468
196072,465
195067,587
194059,653
193054,455
192044,355
191043,996
190042,997
189038,801
188027,073
187020,297
186012,186
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Historic places in La Crosse

National Register of Historic Places listings in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Samuels' Cave
Barre Mills
Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railway Passenger Depot
LaCrosse
Christ Church of LaCrosse
LaCrosse
Garland, Hamlin, House
West Salem
Palmer Brother's Octagons
West Salem and Vicinity
Bridge No. 4
La Crosse
LaCrosse Commercial Historic District
LaCrosse
LaCrosse State Teachers College Training School Building
LaCrosse
Mindoro Cut
Hamilton
Maria Angelorum Chapel
La Crosse
Anderson, Mons, House
La Crosse
Agger Rockshelter
Stevenstown
Hixon, Gideon C., House
La Crosse
Browse all Wisconsinhistoric sites ›

Other counties in Wisconsin

Explore census history and historic records for more Wisconsin counties.

OzaukeePepinPiercePolkPortagePriceRacineRichlandRockRuskSaukSawyerShawanoSheboyganSt. CroixTaylorTrempealeauVernonVilasWalworth
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about La Crosse County, Wisconsin

This page charts the census history of La Crosse County, Wisconsin. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your La Crosse County, Wisconsin report
Or see a real report first

Explore Wisconsin records

Wisconsinhistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Wisconsin›

Frequently asked about La Crosse

When does La Crosse first appear in the US census?
La Crosse, Wisconsin first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 12,186.
What is the population of La Crosse?
At the most recent federal census (2020), La Crosse had a recorded population of 120,784.
How many historic places are in La Crosse?
69 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report