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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Vilas County

Wisconsin · 23,047 residents · 857.71 sq mi
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The short version

Vilas County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $50,039. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $212,700. With a median age of 56.8, 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 56.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
28% 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
23,047
+10%since 2000
from 21,033 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
27 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 25 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
56.8
+24%since 2000
from 45.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K19K21K22K24K1990201020202024Vilas County
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,039
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,759 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,548
+88%since 2000
from $18,361 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.6%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 10%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing2%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$212,700
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $118,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$685
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $434 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
81.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 81.8% in 2000
18.9% rent
Afford Score
4.3
+21%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Vilas County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.2%(18,765)
Black0.2%(42)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(181)
Asian0.2%(37)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.4%(711)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.9%(19,569)
Black0.2%(49)
Hispanic / Latino2%(459)
Asian0.2%(57)
Other11.8%(2,726)
Diversity Score31.6%(7,276)
Segregation Score51.4%(11,850)
Diversity Score
32
+834%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
51
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.7%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.6%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 85.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.3 min
+52%since 2000
from 12.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.7%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 75.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 9.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 57.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.2%
−33.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
49.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.8%
−82.6 ptssince 2013
from 89.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Vilas County

Minidoka County
Pop 22,911
Long County
Pop 21,557
Putnam County
Pop 23,722
Del Norte County
Pop 26,410
Places similar to Vilas County
Head to head

Compare Vilas County to nearby counties

VILAS COUNTY VS
Oneida County
Income$69,371+39%
Home value$238,400+12%
Population38,131+60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VILAS COUNTY VS
Gogebic County
Income$52,732+5%
Home value$107,200−50%
Population14,285−40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VILAS COUNTY VS
Iron County
Income$60,625+21%
Home value$165,900−22%
Population6,127−74%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VILAS COUNTY VS
Forest County
Income$61,071+22%
Home value$185,000−13%
Population9,574−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Vilas County, Wisconsin?

Vilas County, Wisconsin has about 23,047 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Vilas County, Wisconsin earns about $50,039 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Vilas County, Wisconsin expensive?

In Vilas County, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $212,700, and the typical rent is about $685 a month.

How educated are people in Vilas County, Wisconsin?

About 27.7% of adults age 25 and over in Vilas County, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Vilas County, Wisconsin?

About 10.5% of people in Vilas County, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Vilas County, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Vilas County, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,340 residents, a change of about 30 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

8 census tracts
Census Tract 9507Census Tract 9400Census Tract 9506.01Census Tract 9502.01Census Tract 9505.01Census Tract 9505.02Census Tract 9506.02Census Tract 9502.02
12 ZIP codes
ZIP 54521ZIP 54568ZIP 54538ZIP 54558ZIP 54512ZIP 54519ZIP 54554ZIP 54557ZIP 54540ZIP 54545ZIP 54560ZIP 54561
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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