Bayfield County, Wisconsin

Bayfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, its population is 16,220.[1] Its county seat is Washburn.[2] The county was created in 1845 and organized in 1850.[3] The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has a reservation in Bayfield County and is the county's largest employer.[4]

Bayfield County
Bayfield County Courthouse
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Bayfield County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°38′N 91°11′W / 46.63°N 91.18°W / 46.63; -91.18
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1845
Named forHenry Bayfield
SeatWashburn
Largest cityWashburn
Area
 • Total2,042 sq mi (5,290 km2)
 • Land1,478 sq mi (3,830 km2)
 • Water564 sq mi (1,460 km2)  28%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,220
 • Density7.9/sq mi (3.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov

History edit

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 edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,042 square miles (5,290 km2), of which 1,478 square miles (3,830 km2) is land and 564 square miles (1,460 km2) (28%) is water.[5] It is the third-largest county in Wisconsin by total area and second-largest by land area.

Adjacent counties edit

Major highways edit

Buses edit

Airport edit

Cable Union Airport (FAA LID: 3CU) serves Bayfield County and the surrounding communities.

National protected areas edit

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850489
1860353−27.8%
1870344−2.5%
188056464.0%
18907,3901,210.3%
190014,39294.7%
191015,98711.1%
192017,2017.6%
193015,006−12.8%
194015,8275.5%
195013,760−13.1%
196011,910−13.4%
197011,683−1.9%
198013,82218.3%
199014,0081.3%
200015,0137.2%
201015,0140.0%
202016,2208.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[11]

2020 census edit

As of the census of 2020,[11] the population was 16,220. The population density was 11.0 people per square mile (4.2 people/km2). There were 13,238 housing units at an average density of 9.0 units per square mile (3.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.2% White, 10.5% Native American, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 5.2% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census edit

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 edit

 
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Bayfield County

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 15,013 people, 6,207 households, and 4,276 families living in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 11,640 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). 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.[13] Additionally, there were fewer than five reported induced abortions performed on women of Bayfield County residence in 2017.[14]

Communities edit

 
County sign on US2 / WIS13

Cities edit

Village edit

Towns edit

Census-designated places edit

Unincorporated communities edit

Politics edit

Bayfield County is a Democratic bastion, having voted for the Democrat in every presidential election since 1960, except 1972.

United States presidential election results for Bayfield County, Wisconsin[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,617 42.44% 6,147 56.50% 116 1.07%
2016 4,124 42.90% 4,953 51.53% 535 5.57%
2012 3,603 36.81% 6,033 61.64% 152 1.55%
2008 3,365 35.54% 5,972 63.08% 131 1.38%
2004 3,754 38.71% 5,845 60.26% 100 1.03%
2000 3,266 39.54% 4,427 53.60% 566 6.85%
1996 2,250 30.65% 3,895 53.07% 1,195 16.28%
1992 2,393 29.50% 3,873 47.74% 1,846 22.76%
1988 3,095 41.50% 4,323 57.96% 40 0.54%
1984 3,474 45.91% 4,034 53.31% 59 0.78%
1980 3,278 42.08% 3,705 47.57% 806 10.35%
1976 2,624 39.21% 3,885 58.05% 184 2.75%
1972 3,045 51.92% 2,736 46.65% 84 1.43%
1968 2,333 40.92% 3,036 53.24% 333 5.84%
1964 1,886 32.65% 3,875 67.08% 16 0.28%
1960 2,841 46.88% 3,196 52.74% 23 0.38%
1956 3,096 53.32% 2,691 46.35% 19 0.33%
1952 3,419 55.98% 2,616 42.84% 72 1.18%
1948 2,338 40.07% 3,081 52.80% 416 7.13%
1944 2,475 42.02% 3,362 57.08% 53 0.90%
1940 2,829 38.53% 4,387 59.75% 126 1.72%
1936 2,071 31.08% 4,366 65.53% 226 3.39%
1932 2,035 38.14% 2,981 55.88% 319 5.98%
1928 3,279 63.41% 1,709 33.05% 183 3.54%
1924 1,675 36.41% 205 4.46% 2,720 59.13%
1920 2,536 73.34% 589 17.03% 333 9.63%
1916 1,320 51.10% 996 38.56% 267 10.34%
1912 514 23.03% 666 29.84% 1,052 47.13%
1908 1,957 70.27% 579 20.79% 249 8.94%
1904 2,665 84.98% 350 11.16% 121 3.86%
1900 2,428 76.93% 632 20.03% 96 3.04%
1896 2,244 72.57% 770 24.90% 78 2.52%
1892 1,467 50.50% 1,349 46.44% 89 3.06%

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Bureau, US Census. "2020 Population and Housing State Data". The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  4. ^ "Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa". Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. September 5, 2017.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 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 2, 2015.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census: Bayfield County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ 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
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 9, 2020.

Further reading edit

External links edit

46°38′N 91°11′W / 46.63°N 91.18°W / 46.63; -91.18