CataractWI
A town settled in 1858, now home to 138 people.
Is Cataract a good place to live?
Cataract’s January low is 7°F, against 11°F in Wisconsin’s towns and 22°F across U.S. towns. 12% of the land in Cataract is conserved, against 3.8% in Wisconsin’s towns and 4.3% across U.S. towns. Cataract has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
138 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Cataract.
Younger than Wisconsin overall
People 65 and older are 4% of residents (19% statewide); adults 35 to 64 are 45% of residents (38% statewide). The bachelor’s-degree share among adults 25 and older is 32%, against 33% across Wisconsin.
Ages · share of residents
Education · adults 25 and older
Women and men · all residents
45% women, 55% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±8.8 points. Across Wisconsin, 49.9% of residents are women.
| Cataract | WI | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 16.7% | 11.2% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 7.2% | 10.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 26.8% | 9.3% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 0% | 12.6% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 11.6% | 12.7% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 14.5% | 11.8% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 18.8% | 13.8% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 2.2% | 11.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 2.2% | 7.3% | 7% |
| No diploma | 11.8% | 6.4% | 10.4% |
| High school | 38.2% | 29.4% | 26% |
| Some college | 8.8% | 19.5% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 8.8% | 11.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 25% | 22% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 7.4% | 11.4% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 100, single groups can be off by several points
Most of Cataract’s workers head elsewhere: there are 0.6 jobs for each of them
Half of commuters travel less than 26 miles. Since 2013, Cataract has added 32 jobs, to 54 in 2023. Also worth knowing: the town’s average commute comes in at 21 minutes. The top destinations are Sparta (23%), La Crosse (7%) and Tomah (4%).
| Cataract | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 21 minutes | 22 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 9.2% | 6.4% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
In Cataract, expect snowy winters and pleasant summers
The typical July afternoon high for Cataract comes to 82°F.
Typical low → high °F
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Open space protected for good: 12.2% of Cataract
0.2 miles of trail in 1 park or preserve. Cataract has one park or preserve, 7 acres in all. Its density of trails comes in at 0.3 miles per square mile.
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Big Creek State Fishery Area | — | 7 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
How healthy Cataract is
The share of adults in Cataract who had a checkup this year: 75%. On the CDC’s 32 measures, Cataract is ahead of Wisconsin on 3 and behind on 2.
| Cataract | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 22% | 20% | 16% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 42% | 38% | 35% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 75% | 78% | 79% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 32% | 36% |
| What stands out | Cataract | WI |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults with diabetes | 9.6% | 11.4% |
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 7.3% | 8.6% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 15.4% | 9.9% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Cataract faces a moderate natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 53% of U.S. communities. Of the losses FEMA expects in Cataract, 46% come from inland flooding and 31% from cold waves.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Everything we know about Cataract
Moving to Cataract: who provides what
Cataract is unincorporated, so Monroe County and regional agencies provide most services.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
100% of working residents leave Cataract for work
Where Cataract’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Cataract; the nearest are
About 9 of every 100 Cataract residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Wisconsin.
About Cataract
Census-designated place in Wisconsin, United States
Cataract is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Little Falls in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 220, up from 186 at the 2010 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 0.6 sq mi
- Elevation
- 850 ft
- ZIP code
- 54620
Questions about Cataract
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Cataract, WI a good place to live?
Cataract has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
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