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Washburn County, Wisconsin

Coordinates: 45°54′N 91°47′W / 45.90°N 91.79°W / 45.90; -91.79
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Not to be confused with Washburn, Wisconsin.

Washburn County
County
Historical Museum in Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Historical Museum in Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Washburn County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting 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
Founded1883
Named forCadwallader C. Washburn
SeatShell Lake
Largest citySpooner
Area
 • Total
853 sq mi (2,210 km2)
 • Land797 sq mi (2,060 km2)
 • Water56 sq mi (150 km2)  6.6%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
16,623
 • Estimate 
(2023)
16,930 Increase
 • Density20.9/sq mi (8.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.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]

Geography

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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.[5]

Major highways

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The sign for Washburn County on WIS48

Railroads

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Buses

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Airport

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

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18902,926—
19005,52188.7%
19108,19648.5%
192011,37738.8%
193011,103−2.4%
194012,49612.5%
195011,665−6.7%
196010,301−11.7%
197010,6012.9%
198013,17424.3%
199013,7724.5%
200016,03616.4%
201015,911−0.8%
202016,6234.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[1]

2020 census

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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

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2000 Census Age Pyramid for Washburn County

As of the 2000 census,[11] 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.[12] Additionally, there were fewer than five reported induced abortions performed on women of Washburn County residence in 2017.[13]

Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Politics

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Washburn County Services Center

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%.

United States presidential election results for Washburn County, Wisconsin[14][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%

Education

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School districts include:[16]

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

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References

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  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. Open access icon
  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. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ 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
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  15. ^ https://elections.wi.gov/elections/election-results
  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.
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