The city's suburbs include Schofield, Weston, Mosinee, Maine, Rib Mountain, Kronenwetter, and Rothschild.

[5] The Wisconsin River first drew European-American settlers to the area during the mid-19th century as they migrated west into the Great Lakes region following construction of the Erie Canal in New York State.

By an 1836 treaty with the United States, the Ojibwe ceded much of their lands in the area to federal ownership.

Lumbering was the first major industry in this area, and other sawmills along the Wisconsin River were quickly constructed by entrepreneurs.

[6] Five years earlier, Kickbusch had returned to his homeland of Germany and brought back with him 702 people, all of whom are believed to have settled in the Wausau area.

[7] He undertook extensive additions, adding two sun rooms, arcaded windows, a tiled porch in the Mediterranean style, a formal classical entrance, and ornate custom-designed chimney crowns.

The economy was diversified in the early 20th century, led by Employers Insurance of Wausau, now a part of Liberty Mutual.

Its logo, first introduced in 1954, was the downtown Milwaukee Road railroad depot set against the backdrop of the community's skyline.

But after World War II—Wausau was significantly modernized—and it continued to grow in industry, education, recreation, and retail, more than in population.

After the fall of Saigon, Hmong refugees from Southeast Asia who fought alongside the CIA immigrated to Wausau at the end of the 1970s.

Wausau church organizations (Catholic and Lutheran) helped Hmong refugees adapt to American life.

By the mid- to late-1990s, the Wausau began to purchase and develop parts of West Industrial Park to meet the needs of the expanding economy and companies.

[9] In recent years Wausau has redone the 400 Block, adding a permanent stage and other renovations that cost $2 million.

Just west of Wausau, 45°N meets 90°W (45°N 90°W / 45°N 90°W / 45; -90), which is exactly halfway between the equator and the north pole and a quarter of the way around the world from the prime meridian.

Coniferous trees predominate in the hemiboreal zone, but a significant number of deciduous species are found there, as well.

[20] In 1996, a US census estimate found the Hmong people were the largest ethnic minority group in Wausau, with about 11% of the population.

[23] Churches and social service agencies settled refugees, most of them Hmong with some Vietnamese and Lao, in Wausau after the Vietnam War.

[23] In a period ending in 1994 the tax rate of the Wausau School District rose by 10.48% as a result of the expenses of services to children from immigrant families.

[23] Some native-born American families in Wausau criticized the crime and expenses in social services.

And test scores and graduation rates of Hmong public school students are steadily rising.

The Wausau region has a lower-than-average unemployment rate and continues a steady growth in job creation and economic viability among manufacturers and service providers alike.

[27] The Wausau area is a center for cultivation of American ginseng,[28] and is also known for its red granite, which is quarried nearby.

[29] Entertainment available in the city includes Exhibitour, Concerts on the Square, Market Place Thursdays, Screen on the Green and the Hmong New Year.

Wausau is home to a kayak course which has hosted numerous regional, national, and world competitions over the last two decades.

Nine Mile Recreation Area hosts many running, skiing, biking, and other outdoor events each year.

Downhill flow machine built mountain bike trails were constructed and opened in 2017 at Sylvan Hill County Park.

The new facility has an Olympic size ice rink and will allow for curling tournaments, national and world championship games.

The city council manages eight standing committees, including Parks & Recreation, Parking & Traffic, Finance, Human Resources, Public Health & Safety, Economic Development, Coordinating, and Capital Improvement & Street Maintenance.

[49] Diny, who served as District 4 Alderperson of Wausau from 2022 to 2024, defeated incumbent mayor Katie Rosenberg in the April 2, 2024, election.

TV Stations WSAW-TV 7/CBS/CW+, WAOW-TV 9/ABC, WJFW-TV 12/NBC, WZAW-LD 33/Fox, WTPX-TV 46/Ion Metro Ride provides local bus service.