Population 16,854 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Washburn County
Household size in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.09 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.15 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.15 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.21 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.13 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Washburn County is a place of small households, averaging 2.21 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.09, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.5 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.7 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 50.0 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 51.4 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 51.4, Washburn County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 46.5, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the southwest, the oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.7% of households in Washburn County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 0.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Washburn County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Wisconsin counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Washburn County
Renters in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.9% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.9% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.0% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.8% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Washburn County is largely a place of homeowners: only 17.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly half of owners (48.3%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the northwest.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.5% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 36.6% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 38.4% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.3% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 32.3% of the housing in Washburn County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has edged up 0.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Washburn County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in Wisconsin as a whole, where the median home dates to 1974. The median year built has moved up from 1975 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the west has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $639 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $664 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $729 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $854 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$215 | +$380 | +$606 |
Rent in Washburn County runs $854 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $215 a month since 2006–10, up 34%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 27.4% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the east and lowest in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Washburn County
Bachelor's degrees in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.6% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.3% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.0% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.0% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Washburn County: 25.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.3 points, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.7% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.2% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.3% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.8% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Washburn County is above the national rate: 93.8% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. Wisconsin as a whole looks much the same. The share with a diploma is up 4.1 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Washburn County
| Period | Washburn County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Washburn County than nationally: unemployment was 3.8%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 3.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Washburn County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn County | 2.21 | 51.4 | 6.7% | 17.8% | 32.3% | 1981 | $854 | 25.0% | 93.8% | 3.8% |
| Sawyer County | 2.05 | 51.2 | 9.7% | 23.3% | 38.2% | 1985 | $844 | 27.1% | 93.8% | 5.5% |
| Burnett County | 2.37 | 54.9 | 5.4% | 14.1% | 48.1% | 1982 | $833 | 22.2% | 93.6% | 4.5% |
| Barron County | 2.36 | 45.8 | 8.8% | 22.6% | 14.4% | 1975 | $928 | 23.5% | 91.6% | 2.8% |
| Polk County | 2.32 | 46.4 | 8.5% | 19.0% | 17.0% | 1982 | $997 | 24.3% | 94.0% | 3.4% |
| Rusk County | 2.26 | 47.8 | 8.8% | 22.1% | 22.4% | 1978 | $904 | 16.8% | 92.6% | 5.1% |
| Pine County | 2.31 | 47.0 | 9.0% | 18.4% | 23.7% | 1983 | $1,078 | 17.4% | 91.6% | 5.5% |
| Chisago County | 2.66 | 41.7 | 8.8% | 14.1% | 7.3% | 1990 | $1,252 | 24.8% | 96.0% | 4.3% |
| Price County | 2.15 | 51.6 | 6.7% | 18.1% | 35.7% | 1973 | $758 | 17.7% | 93.8% | 2.9% |
| Kanabec County | 2.47 | 45.7 | 9.8% | 15.5% | 14.8% | 1982 | $1,040 | 15.8% | 90.7% | 4.6% |
| Isanti County | 2.62 | 40.8 | 10.4% | 16.3% | 6.3% | 1988 | $1,339 | 20.6% | 93.2% | 3.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Fountain County, IN · Ferry County, WA · Fillmore County, MN · Fleming County, KY · Florida Municipio, PR · Floyd County, IA · Ford County, IL · Forest County, PA · Forest County, WI · Fergus County, MT
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Washburn County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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