County · Wisconsin
Forest County, Wisconsin
Forest County, Wisconsin. Forest County had 9,574 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than Wisconsin (+1.3%). It holds 20 places (1 city, village or borough, 14 towns and townships and 5 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 55041.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,574
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,179 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,369
Median household income
$61,071
±$3,187 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$185,000
±$8,741 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$594
±$38 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
How many people live in Forest County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,179 residents in Forest County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,574 for July 1, 2025, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than Wisconsin (+1.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,369 over 1,014 square miles of land.
| Measure | Forest County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,369 | 5,914,872 | +374 |
| Households | 4,006±148 | 2,479,480 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.29±0.09 | 2.33 | +0.12 |
| Housing units | 8,715±77 | 2,778,572 | −470 |
Forest County's population since 2000
From 10,024 in 2000 to 9,574 in 2025: down 4.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Forest County?
Forest County holds 20 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place), 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Crandon with 1,726 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Crandon | 1,713 | $42,784 |
|---|---|---|
| Laona (town) | 1,215 | $63,281 |
| Nashville (town) | 1,215 | $56,389 |
| Lincoln (town), Forest County | 1,133 | $79,091 |
| Wabeno (town) | 1,074 | $61,477 |
| Crandon (town) | 606 | $80,625 |
| Argonne (town) | 546 | $84,432 |
| Mole Lake | 535 | $38,889 |
| Laona | 519 | $53,261 |
| Wabeno | 453 | $36,250 |
| Armstrong Creek (town) | 422 | $56,250 |
| Hiles (town), Forest County | 359 | $61,250 |
| Freedom (town), Forest County | 324 | $56,500 |
| Alvin (town)GEOID 5504101625 | 173 | $49,375 |
| Blackwell (town)GEOID 5504107950 | 152 | $44,500 |
| ArgonneGEOID 5502600 | 135 | $72,000 |
| Ross (town) | 132 | $46,750 |
| Caswell (town)GEOID 5504113125 | 72 | $58,125 |
| NewaldGEOID 5556250 | 70 | $34,375 |
| Popple River (town)GEOID 5504164050 | 43 | $62,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Forest County?
The median resident of Forest County is 49.3 years old; 19.3% are under 18 and 25.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.7%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 10.6%. 0.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Forest County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.3±0.3 | 40.2 | +2.6 |
| Under 18 years | 19.3%±0.4 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.4%±0.2 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% | 8.0% | −0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.7%±1.1 pts | 78.6% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 10.6%±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.5%±1.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7%±0.6 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7%±0.9 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 17.8%±1.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.7%±1.3 pts | 5.2% | −1.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.3%±1.9 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.1%±1.5 pts | 33.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.0%±0.7 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 Forest County earn?
Half of Forest County's 4,006 households earn less than $61,071 a year (±$3,187), against $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 the median was $56,041 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,030 after inflation. 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Forest County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,071±$3,187 | $77,485 | +$5,030 |
| Mean household income | $77,601±$3,591 | $101,466 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,817±$1,553 | $43,373 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.2%±2.0 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.8%±5.2 pts | 12.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.0%±2.0 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.7%±2.1 pts | 90.3% | – |
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 Forest County?
Owners occupy 82.0% of Forest County's occupied homes and renters 18.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $185,000 by its owner (±$8,741). The median renter pays $594 a month including utilities, and 27.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Forest County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $185,000±$8,741 | $266,500 | +$22,179 |
| Median gross rent | $594±$38 | $1,087 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.6%±6.9 pts | 35.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,251±$57 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.0%±2.0 pts | 67.8% | +5.8 pts |
| Housing units | 8,715±77 | 2,778,572 | −470 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.3%±4.2 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.1%±1.4 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.3%±1.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.9%±1.4 pts | 17.8% | – |
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 Forest County building?
Builders took permits for 46 new housing units across Forest County in 2025 (46 single-family), 4.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Forest County get to work?
78.8% of Forest County's workers drive alone and 8.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | Forest County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.8%±2.0 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9%±1.0 pts | 3.2% | −3.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.8%±2.2 pts | 74.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.3%±1.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 4.0%±1.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.0%±1.5 pts | 13.1% | +2.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.1 min±1.8 | 22.2 min | +5.0 min |
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 are Forest County's census tracts?
Forest County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,500 (Tract 9503) to $66,641 (Tract 9504).
| Tract 950155041950100 | 1,390±136 | $63,906 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950255041950200 | 2,774±158 | $57,969 |
| Tract 950355041950300 | 2,672±199 | $57,500 |
| Tract 950455041950400 | 2,533±192 | $66,641 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Forest County compare with Wisconsin's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 68th of 72 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 5th of 72 |
| Residents per square mile | 71st of 72 |
| Median household income | 66th of 72 |
| Median home value | 60th of 72 |
| Median gross rent | 72nd of 72 |
| Poverty rate | 4th of 72 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 70th of 72 |
| Median age | 14th of 72 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Forest County 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' school search.