Bayfield County, Wisconsin

History

Originally, in 1848 it was named La Pointe County, Wisconsin. After Douglas (1854) and Ashland (1860) Counties were split off from the original La Pointe County, the remainder was renamed Bayfield County on April 12, 1866.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2042 sqmi, of which 1478 sqmi is land and 564 sqmi (28%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Wisconsin by total area and second-largest by land area.

Adjacent counties

• Ashland County – east
• Sawyer County – south
• Washburn County – southwest
• Douglas County – west
• Lake County, Minnesota – north

Major highways

Buses

• Bay Area Rural Transit
• Indian Trails

Airport

Cable Union Airport serves Bayfield County and the surrounding communities.

National protected areas

• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (part)
• Chequamegon National Forest (part)
• Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 16,220. The population density was 11.0 /mi2. There were 13,238 housing units at an average density of 9.0 /mi2.

The median age was 54.2 years. 17.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 29.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.7 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 83.2% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 10.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian,

There were 7,432 households in the county, of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.1% were married-couple households, 20.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Of the 13,238 housing units, 43.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.8% were owner-occupied and 19.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.9%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 15,014 people living in the county. 86.7% were White, 9.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% of some other race and 2.9% of two or more races. 1.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,013 people, 6,207 households, and 4,276 families living in the county. The population density was 10 /mi2. There were 11,640 housing units at an average density of 8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 88.46% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 9.39% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.3% were of German, 10.4% Norwegian, 8.4% Swedish, 6.1% Irish, 5.9% Polish, 5.7% Finnish and 5.0% English ancestry. 96.8% spoke English as their first language.

There were 6,207 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 28.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.70 males.

In 2017, there were 116 births, giving a general fertility rate of 66.6 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 23rd highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Additionally, there were fewer than five reported induced abortions performed on women of Bayfield County residence in 2017.

Communities

Cities

• Ashland (mostly in Ashland County)
• Bayfield
• Washburn (county seat)

Village

• Mason

Towns

• Barksdale
• Barnes
• Bayfield
• Bayview
• Bell
• Cable
• Clover
• Delta
• Drummond
• Eileen
• Grand View
• Hughes
• Iron River
• Kelly
• Keystone
• Lincoln
• Mason
• Namakagon
• Orienta
• Oulu
• Pilsen
• Port Wing
• Russell
• Tripp
• Washburn

Census-designated places

• Cable
• Cornucopia
• Drummond
• Grand View
• Herbster
• Iron River
• Port Wing

Unincorporated communities

• Ashland Junction
• Barksdale
• Bark Point
• Benoit
• Delta
• Ino
• Lake Owen
• Leonards
• Moquah
• Muskeg
• Namekagon
• Pike River
• Radspur
• Pureair
• Oulu
• Red Cliff
• Salmo
• Sand Bay
• Sioux
• Sutherland
• Topside
• Wills

Politics

Bayfield County is a Democratic bastion, having voted for the Democrat in every presidential election since 1932 except for three nationwide Republican landslides in 1952, 1956, and 1972.

References

References

1. "2020 Population and Housing State Data".
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. (2007). "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". [[Newberry Library.
4. (September 5, 2017). "Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa". Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
5. "County Typology Codes - Descriptions and Maps". USDA.
6. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables". United States Census Bureau.
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
10. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
11. (April 2, 2001). "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
13. "2020 Decennial Census: Bayfield County, Wisconsin". U.S. Census Bureau.
14. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
15. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
16. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
17. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables".
19. [https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p45360-17.pdf 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
20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".