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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Sawyer County

Wisconsin · 18,074 residents · 1,257.6 sq mi
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The short version

Sawyer County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $52,022. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $174,000. With a median age of 52.7, 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 52.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,074
+12%since 2000
from 16,196 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
14 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 13 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
52.7
+25%since 2000
from 42.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K15K16K18K19K1990201020202024Sawyer County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,022
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,287 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,851
+86%since 2000
from $17,634 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.3%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.2%
US avg: 10%
Information12.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$174,000
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $93,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$600
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $386 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
76.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 77.1% in 2000
23.2% rent
Afford Score
3.3
+16%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sawyer County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.4%(13,182)
Black0.3%(50)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(145)
Asian0.3%(41)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.3%(703)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic76.4%(13,817)
Black0.5%(96)
Hispanic / Latino2%(358)
Asian0.3%(63)
Other19.5%(3,526)
Diversity Score45.3%(8,180)
Segregation Score55.2%(9,968)
Diversity Score
45
+943%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
55
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.9%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 16.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.1%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.6 min
+59%since 2000
from 13.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 75.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 9.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.1%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 59.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.3%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 59.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Female
48.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.6%
−80.2 ptssince 2013
from 87.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Sawyer County

Henry County
Pop 18,394
Jasper County
Pop 17,632
Brantley County
Pop 18,936
Fayette County
Pop 20,790
Places similar to Sawyer County
Head to head

Compare Sawyer County to nearby counties

SAWYER COUNTY VS
Rusk County
Income$59,944+15%
Home value$163,400−6%
Population14,146−25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAWYER COUNTY VS
Washburn County
Income$63,441+22%
Home value$226,100+30%
Population17,087−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAWYER COUNTY VS
Price County
Income$60,546+16%
Home value$162,500−7%
Population13,988−26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAWYER COUNTY VS
Barron County
Income$65,933+27%
Home value$216,600+24%
Population46,484+147%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sawyer County, Wisconsin?

Sawyer County, Wisconsin has about 18,074 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sawyer County, Wisconsin earns about $52,022 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sawyer County, Wisconsin expensive?

In Sawyer County, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $174,000, and the typical rent is about $600 a month.

How educated are people in Sawyer County, Wisconsin?

About 24.9% of adults age 25 and over in Sawyer County, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sawyer County, Wisconsin?

About 14.9% of people in Sawyer County, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sawyer County, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Sawyer County, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,893 residents, a change of about 27 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

8 census tracts
Census Tract 1003Census Tract 1004Census Tract 1005.02Census Tract 9400.01Census Tract 1008Census Tract 1005.01Census Tract 1007Census Tract 9400.02
7 ZIP codes
ZIP 54843ZIP 54876ZIP 54896ZIP 54835ZIP 54828ZIP 54867ZIP 54862
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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