Eau Claire is a diverse city with a very young population. Twenty to twenty four year olds make up the largest percentage of age groups in Eau Claire thanks to the institutions of higher learning. Even though the demographic is predominantly white with a large Hmong population, the community endorses diversity through restaurants, ethnic stores, and festivals that celebrate diverse cultural heritage.

The total population of Eau Claire is 68,587 (2017) and growing. Between the years 2000 and 2010, the city added 4,179 residents (a growth rate of 6.7%), accounting for almost 75% of the county's population growth.

Many people in Eau Claire have looked to suburban housing and have migrated outside the city. For example, the neighboring Town of Pleasant Valley has grown at a rate of 16.4%, making it the fastest growing municipality in Eau Claire County. Not surprisingly, the most heavily populated townships in the county are surrounding the city, with residents commuting to the city every day for work.

Eau Claire has a very diverse workforce. From highly-skilled to non-skilled workers, Eau Claire can offer any company a wide range of employee options. Eau Claire has over 68,000 residents. The city shares its northern border, and its workforce, with Chippewa Falls (pop. 14,035). Eau Claire County and Chippewa County are considered a metropolitan statistical area by the federal government, a designation given to areas with high degrees of social and economic integration. The mean travel time to work was 18.4 minutes for residents in Eau Claire County in 2017.

The Eau Claire MSA is well educated, with 63% of citizens having some college experience, 26.2% having a bachelor's degree or higher and 92.9% having a high-school degree.

The labor force participation rate is the percentage of an area's 16 years and older non-institutional population that is in the labor force. Eau Claire County's labor force participation was an estimated 69.4% in 2017, higher than the statewide average of 66.9%. The average unemployment rate was 3.1% in 2017, slightly below the state average which was 3.3%. 

Eau Claire County's median household income in 2017 was $47,660. Eau Claire County's largest industry is Education and Health, employing over 15,600 people in Eau Claire's workforce in 2017, or about 28.1% of Eau Claire County residents. The next largest industry is Retail Trade, which employed 9,091 people or 16.3% of Eau Claire's workforce in 2016.

For more information, check out the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development 

Sources: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, ACS 2017 1-Year Community Estimate (United States Census Bureau). 

As of November 2018 the Eau Claire MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) had low unemployment at 2.4%. The MSA with the lowest reported unemployment was Madison (2%) and the MSA with the highest quarterly unemployment was Janesville-Beloit (3.5%).

Unemployment Rate Chart

Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

The Eau Claire MSA's unemployment rate has consistently ranked below the Wisconsin average in recent years. 

Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Eau Claire has a young, vibrant, hard-working population that helps account for the area's competitive economy and creative community. Below are 2017 population statistics for the Eau Claire Metropolitan Statistical Area:

Source: United States Census Bureau, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates 2017 1-year Estimates

Residents of Eau Claire experience a comparatively high quality of life. The excellent education combined with a low crime rate, low cost of living, outstanding healthcare, and an abundance of arts and entertainment venues are all reasons why residents enjoy a top-notch lifestyle. Here are some of Eau Claire's quality of life measurements:

Sources: United States Census Bureau, ACS Educational Attainment 2017 1-year Estimates, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, CVTC

Residents of Eau Claire experience a comparatively high quality of life. The excellent education combined with a low crime rate, low cost of living, outstanding healthcare, and an abundance of arts and entertainment venues are all reasons why residents enjoy a top-notch lifestyle. Here are some of Eau Claire's quality of life measurements:

Sources: The Council For Community and Economic Research C2ER Unites States Census Bureau, ACS 2017 Data

Source: The Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI

Sources: Eau Claire Parks and Recreation EC Parks & Rec