Washburn County, Wisconsin

County in Wisconsin, United States

Not to be confused with Washburn, Wisconsin.

County in Wisconsin

Washburn County

County

Historical Museum in Shell Lake, Wisconsin

Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin

Wisconsin's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 45°54′N 91°47′W﻿ / ﻿45.9°N 91.79°W﻿ / 45.9; -91.79
Country|  United States
State|  Wisconsin
Founded| 1883
Named after| Cadwallader C. Washburn
Seat| Shell Lake
Largest city| Spooner
Area

• Total

| 853 sq mi (2,210 km2)
• Land| 797 sq mi (2,060 km2)
• Water| 56 sq mi (150 km2)  6.6%
Population

(2020)[1]

• Total

| 16,623

• Estimate

(2023)

| 16,930
• Density| 20.9/sq mi (8.1/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 7th
Website| www.co.washburn.wi.us

Washburn County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is named after Governor Cadwallader C. Washburn.[2] As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,623.[1] Its county seat is Shell Lake.[3] The county was created in 1883.[4] The county is considered a high-recreation retirement destination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.[5]

## Geography

[edit]

Soils of Washburn County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 853 square miles (2,210 km2), of which 797 square miles (2,060 km2) is land and 56 square miles (150 km2) (6.6%) is water.[6]

### Major highways

[edit]

The sign for Washburn County on WIS48

* U.S. Highway 53
* U.S. Highway 63
* Highway 48 (Wisconsin)
* Highway 70 (Wisconsin)
* Highway 77 (Wisconsin)
* Highway 253 (Wisconsin)

### Railroads

[edit]

* Canadian National
* Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad

### Buses

[edit]

### Airport

[edit]

Shell Lake Municipal Airport (KSSQ) serves the county and surrounding communities.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Douglas County \- north
* Bayfield County \- northeast
* Sawyer County \- east
* Rusk County \- southeast
* Barron County \- south
* Burnett County \- west

### National protected area

[edit]

* Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1890| 2,926| | —
1900| 5,521| | 88.7%
1910| 8,196| | 48.5%
1920| 11,377| | 38.8%
1930| 11,103| | −2.4%
1940| 12,496| | 12.5%
1950| 11,665| | −6.7%
1960| 10,301| | −11.7%
1970| 10,601| | 2.9%
1980| 13,174| | 24.3%
1990| 13,772| | 4.5%
2000| 16,036| | 16.4%
2010| 15,911| | −0.8%
2020| 16,623| | 4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[1]

### 2020 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2020,[1] the population was 16,623. The population density was 20.9 people per square mile (8.1 people/km2). There were 12,708 housing units at an average density of 15.9 units per square mile (6.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.9% White, 1.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

### 2000 census

[edit]

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Washburn County

As of the 2000 census,[12] there were 16,036 people, 6,604 households, and 4,530 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). There were 10,814 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.27% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.9% were of German, 11.4% Norwegian, 7.0% Irish, 6.2% Swedish, 6.1% English and 5.6% American ancestry.

There were 6,604 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.

In 2017, there were 153 births, giving a general fertility rate of 70.0 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 17th highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties.[13] Additionally, there were fewer than five reported induced abortions performed on women of Washburn County residence in 2017.[14]

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Shell Lake (county seat)
* Spooner

### Villages

[edit]

* Birchwood
* Minong

### Towns

[edit]

* Barronett
* Bashaw
* Bass Lake
* Beaver Brook
* Birchwood
* Brooklyn
* Casey
* Chicog
* Crystal
* Evergreen
* Frog Creek
* Gull Lake
* Long Lake
* Madge
* Minong
* Sarona
* Spooner
* Springbrook
* Stinnett
* Stone Lake
* Trego

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Springbrook
* Stone Lake (part)
* Trego

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Beaver Brook
* Chicago Junction
* Chittamo
* Earl
* Lampson
* Madge
* Nobleton
* Sarona
* Springbrook
* Stanberry

### Ghost towns

[edit]

* Harmon

## Politics

[edit]

Washburn County Services Center United States presidential election results for Washburn County, Wisconsin[15] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 6,962  | 63.42% | 3,867  | 35.22%  | 149  | 1.36%
2020 | 6,334  | 61.03% | 3,867  | 37.26%  | 177  | 1.71%
2016 | 5,436  | 59.13% | 3,282  | 35.70%  | 475  | 5.17%
2012 | 4,699  | 50.60% | 4,447  | 47.88%  | 141  | 1.52%
2008 | 4,303  | 47.22%  | 4,693  | 51.50% | 116  | 1.27%
2004 | 4,762  | 49.78% | 4,705  | 49.18%  | 100  | 1.05%
2000 | 3,912  | 48.63% | 3,695  | 45.93%  | 438  | 5.44%
1996 | 2,703  | 38.64%  | 3,231  | 46.18% | 1,062  | 15.18%
1992 | 2,586  | 33.65%  | 3,080  | 40.07% | 2,020  | 26.28%
1988 | 3,074  | 47.25%  | 3,393  | 52.15% | 39  | 0.60%
1984 | 3,848  | 54.38% | 3,188  | 45.05%  | 40  | 0.57%
1980 | 3,193  | 46.41% | 3,172  | 46.10%  | 515  | 7.49%
1976 | 2,787  | 43.20%  | 3,503  | 54.30% | 161  | 2.50%
1972 | 3,220  | 56.84% | 2,336  | 41.24%  | 109  | 1.92%
1968 | 2,425  | 47.63% | 2,273  | 44.65%  | 393  | 7.72%
1964 | 1,865  | 36.84%  | 3,181  | 62.84% | 16  | 0.32%
1960 | 2,848  | 54.13% | 2,398  | 45.58%  | 15  | 0.29%
1956 | 2,798  | 58.88% | 1,935  | 40.72%  | 19  | 0.40%
1952 | 3,184  | 60.80% | 2,039  | 38.93%  | 14  | 0.27%
1948 | 2,059  | 41.81%  | 2,708  | 54.98% | 158  | 3.21%
1944 | 2,441  | 53.85% | 2,059  | 45.42%  | 33  | 0.73%
1940 | 2,805  | 48.68%  | 2,901  | 50.35% | 56  | 0.97%
1936 | 1,650  | 31.64%  | 3,220  | 61.74% | 345  | 6.62%
1932 | 1,501  | 34.68%  | 2,619  | 60.51% | 208  | 4.81%
1928 | 2,898  | 70.03% | 1,192  | 28.81%  | 48  | 1.16%
1924 | 1,422  | 38.91%  | 158  | 4.32%  | 2,075  | 56.77%
1920 | 2,023  | 78.26% | 352  | 13.62%  | 210  | 8.12%
1916 | 938  | 55.37% | 644  | 38.02%  | 112  | 6.61%
1912 | 409  | 27.52%  | 398  | 26.78%  | 679  | 45.69%
1908 | 1,114  | 69.02% | 396  | 24.54%  | 104  | 6.44%
1904 | 989  | 77.33% | 207  | 16.18%  | 83  | 6.49%
1900 | 808  | 73.99% | 253  | 23.17%  | 31  | 2.84%
1896 | 771  | 73.29% | 250  | 23.76%  | 31  | 2.95%
1892 | 488  | 57.82% | 305  | 36.14%  | 51  | 6.04%

Between 1964 and 2008, Washburn County backed the nationwide winner in every election except for 1988. In 2012, Mitt Romney defeated Barack Obama in the county by a margin of less than 3%, after Obama had won the county by more than 4% in 2008 over John McCain. Washburn County moved significantly to the right in 2016, as Donald Trump took over 59% of the county's vote and won by a margin of over 23%, the best margin of victory for any candidate in the county since 1964. He slightly increased his margin of victory to nearly 24% in 2020 and further increased it to more than 28% in 2024 while turning in the best vote share for a Republican in the county since 1928 at over 63%.

## Education

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2024)

|

School districts include:[16]

* Birchwood School District
* Hayward Community School District
* Northwood School District
* Rice Lake Area School District
* Shell Lake School District
* Spooner Area School District

In 1918, the loss of the SS Tuscania prompted the county to burn its German textbooks as part of anti-German sentiment in World War I.[17]

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Washburn County, Wisconsin

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census: Washburn County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
2. ^ "Here's How Iron Got Its Name". The Rhinelander Daily News. June 16, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved August 24, 2014 - via Newspapers.com.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
5. ^ "County Typology Codes - Descriptions and Maps". USDA. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
13. ^ "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
14. ^ Reported Induced Abortions in Wisconsin, Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Section: Trend Information, 2013-2017, Table 18, pages 17-18
15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
16. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washburn County, WI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024. \- Text list
17. ^ "Wisconsin News". The West Bend News. West Bend, Wisconsin. June 5, 1918. p. 2 - via Newspapers.com.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Washburn County, Wisconsin.

* Washburn County website
* Washburn County map from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
* Washburn County tourism website

Places adjacent to Washburn County, Wisconsin

|  | Douglas County | Bayfield County

|
|

|  |
Burnett County |

Washburn County, Wisconsin

| Sawyer County
|  |
| Barron County | Rusk County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Washburn County, Wisconsin, United States

County seat: Shell Lake

Cities|

* Shell Lake
* Spooner

Villages|

* Birchwood
* Minong

Towns|

* Barronett
* Bashaw
* Bass Lake
* Beaver Brook
* Birchwood
* Brooklyn
* Casey
* Chicog
* Crystal
* Evergreen
* Frog Creek
* Gull Lake
* Long Lake
* Madge
* Minong
* Sarona
* Spooner
* Springbrook
* Stinnett
* Stone Lake
* Trego

CDPs|

* Springbrook
* Stone Lake‡
* Trego

Other
communities|

* Beaver Brook
* Chicago Junction
* Chittamo
* Earl
* Lampson
* Madge
* Nobleton
* Sarona

Ghost town|

* Harmon

Indian
reservation|

* Lac Courte Oreilles‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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45°54′N 91°47′W﻿ / ﻿45.90°N 91.79°W﻿ / 45.90; -91.79

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