Jobs & Economy in La Crosse
La Crosse's economy runs on a real, genuine regional-hub base -- healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, and logistics -- with a 2022 metro GDP of approximately $9.7 billion.
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Learn moreA real, rare two-hospital-system economy
Gundersen Health System (approximately 7,621 employees, a 325-bed teaching hospital with a Level II Trauma Center) and the Mayo Clinic Health System both maintain real, substantial local presence -- a genuine differentiator among Wisconsin markets.
A real, three-institution higher-education base
UW-La Crosse, Western Technical College, and Viterbo University collectively awarded thousands of degrees in 2024, anchoring both direct employment and a genuine college-town character.
A real, genuine regional-hub role
La Crosse's economy extends beyond healthcare and education into manufacturing, retail, and logistics, consistent with its role as the Driftless Area's genuine regional anchor.
Key takeaways
- La Crosse's metro GDP ran approximately $9.7 billion (2022).
- Gundersen Health System and the Mayo Clinic Health System both anchor a real, rare two-hospital-system local economy.
- UW-La Crosse, Western Technical College, and Viterbo University form a real, three-institution higher-education base.
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