City · Wisconsin
Ashland, Wisconsin
Ashland, city, mostly in Ashland County (100.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. Ashland had 7,927 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,908 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,902 (±28). GEOID 5503225.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,927
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,908 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,902 ±28
Median household income
$54,529
±$7,011 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$176,400
±$9,984 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$753
±$75 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
Where is Ashland and what county is it in?
Ashland is a city mostly in Ashland County (100.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. It covers 13.4 square miles of land, 592 residents per square mile in 2020.
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ashland County | 7,905 | 100.0% |
| Bayfield County | 3 | 0.0% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Ashland, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,927 people lived in Ashland on July 1, 2025, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Wisconsin (+1.3%). The 2020 Census counted 7,908 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,902 (±28).
| Measure | Ashland | Ashland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,902 ±28 | 16,080 | no clear change |
| Households | 3,399 ±143 | 6,832 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.16 ±0.09 | 2.27 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,830 ±160 | 9,445 | no clear change |
Ashland's population since 2000
From 8,620 in 2000 to 7,927 in 2025: down 8.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Ashland as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ashland?
The median resident of Ashland is 40.9 years old; 18.1% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.7%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 6.8%. 3.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ashland | Ashland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9 ±1.5 | 43.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.1% ±1.4 pts | 20.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0% ±1.5 pts | 21.5% | – |
| Male | 52.0% ±1.9 pts | 50.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.4% ±0.8 pts | 3.0% | +2.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.7% ±2.3 pts | 81.3% | −5.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 6.8% ±1.7 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.0% ±1.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.1% ±1.2 pts | 2.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.7% ±1.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.1% ±2.3 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 18.0% ±2.7 pts | 15.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.9% ±2.0 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.9% ±1.3 pts | 95.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.5% ±4.0 pts | 24.5% | +5.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.8% ±2.4 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.8% ±3.3 pts | 91.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.4% ±1.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Ashland earn?
Half of Ashland's 3,399 households earn less than $54,529 a year (±$7,011), against $62,462 in Ashland County and $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $47,040 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ashland | Ashland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,529 ±$7,011 | $62,462 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,357 ±$6,322 | $76,270 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,135 ±$2,223 | $33,580 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.8% ±4.0 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.8% ±6.8 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.6% ±3.6 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.8% ±2.7 pts | 92.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.9% ±4.4 pts | 84.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Ashland?
Owners occupy 62.7% of Ashland's occupied homes and renters 37.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $176,400 by its owner (±$9,984). The median renter pays $753 a month including utilities, and 34.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ashland | Ashland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $176,400 ±$9,984 | $170,300 | +$43,854 |
| Median gross rent | $753 ±$75 | $721 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.6% ±10.2 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,368 ±$163 | $1,336 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.7% ±4.3 pts | 73.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.3% ±4.3 pts | 26.6% | – |
| Housing units | 3,830 ±160 | 9,445 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 11.9% ±7.8 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.5% ±3.4 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.0% ±1.3 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.3% ±0.9 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 36.2% ±5.3 pts | 25.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.4% ±2.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Ashland building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units in Ashland in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 0.5 per 1,000 residents against 4.3 across Wisconsin.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ashland work and get to work?
71.3% of Ashland's workers drive alone and 9.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 13.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | Ashland | Ashland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.9% ±3.1 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% ±1.9 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.3% ±5.0 pts | 73.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.8% ±2.7 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±1.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 9.1% ±3.3 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.6% ±3.1 pts | 9.7% | +6.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 13.5 min ±1.5 | 17.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Ashland?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Ashland, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $39,500 (Tract 9504) to $66,281 (Tract 9508).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9503Ashland County | 2,680 | $50,114 |
| Tract 9508Ashland County | 3,198 | $66,281 |
| Tract 9504Ashland County | 2,350 | $39,500 |
| Tract 9604.02Bayfield County | 3,406 | $77,788 |
| Tract 9505Ashland County | 2,303 | $77,578 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Ashland) · Census block assignment files
How does Ashland compare with other places in Wisconsin?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Ashland is the 3,760th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 123rd-most populous of 608 in Wisconsin.
Ashland ranks 863rd of 914 places in Wisconsin with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 123rd | 608 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 530th | 884 |
| Residents per square mile | 324th | 914 |
| Median household income | 863rd | 914 |
| Per capita income | 832nd | 911 |
| Median home value | 794th | 913 |
| Median gross rent | 747th | 825 |
| Poverty rate | 53rd | 706 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 380th | 914 |
| Median age | 646th | 914 |
| Owner-occupied share | 781st | 914 |
| Work from home | 549th | 827 |
| Travel time to work | 905th | 914 |
Ashland's figures with every place in Wisconsin (CSV)
Every place in Wisconsin, sortable · Compare Ashland with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Ashland?
8 of the 57 figures for Ashland on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Ashland are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Ashland.