Sawyer County, Wisconsin Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Sawyer County is located in Wisconsin with a total population of 18,243. It is the 56th most populous county out of 72 in Wisconsin. The county encompasses 5 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sawyer County is 52.2 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Sawyer County is $59,055. This is 22% lower than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $223,300. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 77.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sawyer County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.4%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 6.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.

Education

27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 32.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%.