2020 census

As of the census of 2020,^[2] the population was 3,286. The population density was 1,022.1 inhabitants per square mile (394.6/km²). There were 1,317 housing units at an average density of 409.6 per square mile (158.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.5% White, 8.2% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The 2020 census population of Boscobel included 458 incarcerated people at the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility.^[9] This likely impacts the city's demographic and racial profile given that Wisconsin has the nation's highest racial incarceration gap and imprisons Black residents at twelve times the rate of white residents.^[10][11][12]

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 3,231 people, 1,195 households, and 727 families living in the city. The population density was 1,077.0 inhabitants per square mile (415.8/km²). There were 1,307 housing units at an average density of 435.7 per square mile (168.2/km²). The racial makup of the city was 90.1% White, 8.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2%.^[13]

Of the 1,195 households 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 32.8% of households were one person and 13.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age was 38.1 years. 21% of residents were under the age of 18; 10% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 26% were from 45 to 64; and 14% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 54.6% male and 45.4% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 3,047 people, 1,174 households, and 752 families living in the city. The population density was 1,068.6 people per square mile (412.8/km²). There were 1,266 housing units at an average density of 444.0 per square mile (171.5/km²). The racial makup of the city was 94.78% White, 3.74% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[14] Of the 1,174 households 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 30.2% of households were one person and 16.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

The median household income was $32,698 and the median family income was $37,527. Males had a median income of $24,806 versus $19,617 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,432. About 6.0% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

In Popular Culture

The town was mentioned in the 1999 David Lynch biographical road drama film, "The Straight Story" ^[15] when Iowa farmer Lyle Straight (played by Richard Farnsworth) asks a local priest if he knows the whereabouts of Lyle's brother (played by Harry Dean Stanton).

Do you know him?

I work at the hospital in Boscobel. I remember him comin' in.

Caught my attention because...he lives in my parish.

- Well, he's a Baptist. - Oh, I believe he told me that.