Moving to Alma, Wisconsin
The current estimated population of Alma is 750, with 49% male and 51% female. The population has remained stable, supported by tourism and its location along the Mississippi River.
City Facts
- Year founded: 1848
- County: Buffalo County
- Land area: 3.2 square miles
- Population density: 234 people per square mile
- Area code: 608
- Zip code: 54610
Geography and Location
Alma is located in western Wisconsin, in Buffalo County, along the banks of the Mississippi River. The town is known for its scenic beauty, with blufflands and river views making it a popular destination for tourists. Alma is part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, providing opportunities for birdwatching, fishing, and boating. The town is situated along Wisconsin State Highway 35, providing access to nearby towns like Winona, Minnesota. Alma experiences a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers.
Demographics
Median resident age: 36.3 years
Median household income: $38,000
Median house value: $84,200
Population by Race
Races in Alma:
- White Non-Hispanic (90.9%)
- Hispanic (7.4%)
- Other race (6.7%)
- American Indian (1.5%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: German (47.9%), Norwegian (30.5%), Irish (11.1%), English (6.7%), Czech (6.1%), French (4.4%).
Elevation: 687 feet
Land area: 5.9 square miles
Population by Education
For population 25 years and over in Alma
- High school or higher: 81.5%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.4%
- Graduate or professional degree: 1.1%
- Unemployed: 2.7%
- Mean travel time to work: 19.5 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Alma town
- Never married: 19.5%
- Now married: 66.4%
- Separated: 0.9%
- Widowed: 5.4%
- Divorced: 7.8%
7.0% Foreign born (6.1% Latin America, 0.9% Asia).
Population change in the 1990s: +153 (+18.4%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Alma:
- ST ELIZABETH HOSPITAL (about 9 miles; WABASHA, MN)
- CHIPPEWA VALLEY HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; DURAND, WI)
- LAKE CITY MEDICAL CENTER MAYO HEALTH (about 27 miles; LAKE CITY, MN)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Alma:
- CHIPPEWA VALLEY REGIONAL (about 47 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Abbreviation: EAU)
- ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL (about 50 miles; ROCHESTER, MN; Abbreviation: RST)
- LA CROSSE MUNI (about 57 miles; LA CROSSE, WI; Abbreviation: LSE)
Other public-use airports nearest to Alma:
- WINONA MUNI-MAX CONRAD FLD (about 25 miles; WINONA, MN; Abbreviation: ONA)
- MENOMONIE MUNICIPAL-SCORE FIELD (about 38 miles; MENOMONIE, WI; Abbreviation: W11)
- RUSHFORD MUNI (about 38 miles; RUSHFORD, MN; Abbreviation: 55Y)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Alma:
- WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 29 miles; WINONA, MN; Full-time enrollment: 6,568)
- SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (about 29 miles; WINONA, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,969)
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT (about 37 miles; MENOMONIE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 7,183)
- ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 43 miles; ROCHESTER, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,368)
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE (about 44 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 9,866)
- CHIPPEWA VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 44 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,601)
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS (about 60 miles; RIVER FALLS, WI; Full-time enrollment: 5,491)
Schools
Public high school in Alma:
- ALMA HI (Students: 136; Location: S1618 STATE ROAD 35; Grades: 09 – 12)
Public primary/middle school in Alma:
- ALMA EL (Students: 232; Location: S1618 STATE ROAD 35; Grades: PK – 08)
Libraries
Library in Alma:
- ALMA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $39,510; Location: 312 N. MAIN ST.; 14,823 books; 271 audio materials; 545 video materials; 45 serial subscriptions)