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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Bayfield County

Wisconsin · 16,220 residents · 1,477.881 sq mi
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The short version

Bayfield County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $57,257. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $176,900. With a median age of 54.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 54.2
US median: 38.8
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,220
+8%since 2000
from 15,013 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
11 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 10 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
54.2
+29%since 2000
from 42.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K15K15K16K17K1990201020202024Bayfield County
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,257
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,390 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,151
+102%since 2000
from $16,407 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
36.1%
+14.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade10.9%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade8.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Information7.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$176,900
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $87,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$626
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $369 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
80.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 82.6% in 2000
19.2% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+18%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bayfield County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.2%(13,247)
Black0.1%(20)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(91)
Asian0.3%(41)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.8%(422)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic82.9%(13,445)
Black0.3%(54)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(279)
Asian0.2%(36)
Other12.6%(2,049)
Diversity Score33.1%(5,365)
Segregation Score49.9%(8,096)
Diversity Score
33
+1076%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
50
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.1%
+10.5 ptssince 2000
from 21.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.7%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 86.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.5%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+50%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 74.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 59.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.7%
−29.5 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
49.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.8%
−82.9 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Bayfield County

Franklin County
Pop 15,889
Mariposa County
Pop 16,918
De Witt County
Pop 15,118
Crawford County
Pop 18,648
Places similar to Bayfield County
Head to head

Compare Bayfield County to nearby counties

BAYFIELD COUNTY VS
Ashland County
Income$62,462+9%
Home value$170,300−4%
Population16,203−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BAYFIELD COUNTY VS
Douglas County
Income$75,099+31%
Home value$205,800+16%
Population43,990+162%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BAYFIELD COUNTY VS
Iron County
Income$60,625+6%
Home value$165,900−6%
Population6,127−64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BAYFIELD COUNTY VS
Sawyer County
Income$60,801+6%
Home value$236,200+34%
Population18,846+12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Bayfield County, Wisconsin?

Bayfield County, Wisconsin has about 16,220 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bayfield County, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Bayfield County, Wisconsin earns about $57,257 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bayfield County, Wisconsin expensive?

In Bayfield County, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $176,900, and the typical rent is about $626 a month.

How educated are people in Bayfield County, Wisconsin?

About 32.1% of adults age 25 and over in Bayfield County, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bayfield County, Wisconsin?

About 11.5% of people in Bayfield County, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bayfield County, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Bayfield County, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,212 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

7 census tracts
Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9604.02Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9606Census Tract 9604.01Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9900
10 ZIP codes
ZIP 54891ZIP 54814ZIP 54847ZIP 54856ZIP 54821ZIP 54865ZIP 54832ZIP 54839ZIP 54827ZIP 54844
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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