Washburn, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Washburn, Wisconsin had a total population of 1,884, the 278th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $62,128, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Washburn Quick Facts
How Washburn 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 | 1,858 | 1,884 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $60,288 | $62,128 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $174,100 | $178,900 | +2.8% |
How Washburn Compares
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+)
Washburn Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Bayfield County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron River | 826 | $50,536 | 14.4% | $171,100 |
| Bayfield | 565 | $70,982 | 8.5% | $320,100 |
| Cable | 207 | $33,333 | 42.0% | $116,200 |
| Port Wing | 148 | $52,500 | 28.4% | $162,500 |
| Drummond | 141 | $68,958 | 24.8% | $175,000 |
| Grand View | 138 | $68,750 | 14.5% | $105,700 |
| Cornucopia | 108 | $104,375 | 3.7% | $279,400 |
| Mason | 93 | $71,667 | 12.9% | $112,500 |
| Herbster | 83 | $50,833 | 19.3% | $275,000 |
Cities Similar to Washburn
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | 1,859 | $60,000 | $244,700 | 22.7% | 11.8% |
| Redgranite | 1,938 | $64,345 | $104,100 | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Weyauwega | 1,789 | $66,625 | $152,100 | 17.7% | 10.6% |
| Port Edwards | 1,881 | $75,598 | $158,600 | 26.6% | 12.6% |
| Durand | 1,731 | $58,820 | $152,400 | 23.8% | 13.5% |
Population Overview
Washburn is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Bayfield County. The total population is 1,884. It ranks as the 278th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Washburn is 51.7 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 13.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.4% 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 Washburn is $62,128. This is 20% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $178,900. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Washburn is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Washburn is White (non-Hispanic), making up 85.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
36.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% higher 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 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Washburn, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Washburn, Wisconsin?
Washburn, Wisconsin has a population of 1,884 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Washburn, WI?
The median household income in Washburn is $62,128, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Washburn, WI?
The poverty rate in Washburn is 6.7%. This means approximately 120 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Washburn, Wisconsin?
Washburn's population is 85.0% White, 1.3% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Washburn, WI?
The median home value in Washburn is $178,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Washburn, Wisconsin?
36.5% of adults (25+) in Washburn hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.