Manitowish Waters, WI

This town of 661 residents needs 34 more housing units over the next five years.

Housing snapshot

Population
661 (2026)
Households
438
Median household income
$84,835 (2026)
Typical home value
$727,265
Owner-occupied
32%
Five-year housing need
34 units

Comparison to other Wisconsin municipalities

Manitowish Waters: $84,835 Median income (2026 estimate)
<$33K >$165K
Manitowish Waters: None jobs to household ratio
<0.04 >2.48
Manitowish Waters: No permit data
<0% >10.6%
On this page

How affordable is this community?

The typical home in Manitowish Waters, WI is valued at $727,265, well above the Wisconsin average of $296,335. With a median household income of $84,835 in Manitowish Waters, WI, the typical home is far out of reach for most households, requiring roughly $84,430 more in annual income to afford.

This chart tracks whether housing prices are keeping pace with local incomes. The gap between what homes cost and what households can afford reveals affordability trends over time.

How has employment changed over time?

Jobs by industry sector since 2012. Switch between local jobs — counted where the jobs are located — and resident jobs, counted where the workers live. On the local view the most recent year is a nowcast: it grows the latest local LODES job mix forward using recent county employment growth from QCEW and the BLS local employment series, so the newest point tracks today's economy instead of data that is roughly two years old.

How are households changing by income?

With roughly 438 households, Manitowish Waters, WI is growing modestly at 1.0% per year.

Understanding how households at different income levels are growing or declining helps identify which groups face the greatest housing pressure and where new housing is most needed.

Who lives here today?

The housing stock in Manitowish Waters, WI is heavily oriented toward detached single-family, which makes up 95% of units. In Manitowish Waters, WI, renters make up the majority, with only 32% of units owner-occupied.

Households may have different structure type preferences depending on characteristics such as household size, income, employment, presence of children, age of individuals, and lifestyle choices. Understanding the housing stock in corresponding terms helps assess how well existing units align with existing households' ideals.

What does the housing stock look like?

The mix of housing types and ownership patterns shapes a community's character. This chart breaks down housing units by structure type and whether they're owner-occupied or rented.

How does this place compare to similar communities?