Vilas County, Wisconsin Demographics 2026
Vilas County, Wisconsin has a population of 23,647, the 49th most populous county in Wisconsin. The median household income is $68,431 and the median home value is $300,000. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Vilas County Quick Facts
How Vilas County Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,410 | 23,647 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $67,132 | $68,431 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $270,700 | $300,000 | +10.8% |
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Vilas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle River | 1,528 | $55,179 | 14.4% | $213,900 |
| Lac du Flambeau | 1,503 | $35,208 | 37.5% | $134,800 |
| Sayner | 213 | $33,750 | 8.9% | $244,600 |
| Boulder Junction | 193 | $43,063 | 22.3% | $275,000 |
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Population Overview
Vilas County is located in Wisconsin with a total population of 23,647. It is the 49th most populous county out of 72 in Wisconsin. The county encompasses 4 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vilas County is 55.7 years. This is 39% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 12.3% 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 Vilas County is $68,431. This is 12% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $300,000. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 84.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vilas County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.3%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 8.0%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
30.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Vilas County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Wisconsin and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Vilas County, Wisconsin?
Vilas County has a population of 23,647, making it the 49th most populous county in Wisconsin.
What is the median income in Vilas County?
The median household income in Vilas County is $68,431 with a poverty rate of 11.1%.
How many cities are in Vilas County, Wisconsin?
Vilas County contains 4 Census-designated places.