County · Wisconsin
Vilas County, Wisconsin
Vilas County, Wisconsin. Vilas County had 23,761 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.1% since 2020, faster than Wisconsin (+1.3%). It holds 18 places (1 city, village or borough, 14 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 55125.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
23,761
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 23,047 · ACS 2020-2024: 23,647
Median household income
$68,431
±$2,845 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$300,000
±$13,399 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$847
±$65 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
How many people live in Vilas County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 23,047 residents in Vilas County. The Census Bureau estimates 23,761 for July 1, 2025, up 3.1% since 2020, faster than Wisconsin (+1.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 23,647 over 858 square miles of land.
| Measure | Vilas County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 23,647 | 5,914,872 | +1,896 |
| Households | 11,147±330 | 2,479,480 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.10±0.06 | 2.33 | +0.13 |
| Housing units | 24,876±56 | 2,778,572 | −1,045 |
Vilas County's population since 2000
From 21,033 in 2000 to 23,761 in 2025: up 13.0%. 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 Vilas County?
Vilas County holds 18 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place), 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Town of Lac du Flambeau with 3,659 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lac du Flambeau (town) | 3,552 | $57,009 |
|---|---|---|
| Arbor Vitae (town) | 3,403 | $72,583 |
| Lincoln (town), Vilas County | 2,659 | $77,500 |
| St. Germain (town) | 2,083 | $62,875 |
| Lac du Flambeau | 1,845 | $35,208 |
| Eagle River | 1,628 | $55,179 |
| Washington (town), Vilas County | 1,587 | $85,379 |
| Conover (town) | 1,318 | $61,786 |
| Phelps (town) | 1,238 | $71,250 |
| Cloverland (town), Vilas County | 1,068 | $62,917 |
| Boulder Junction (town) | 1,057 | $74,919 |
| Land O'Lakes (town) | 944 | $62,292 |
| Presque Isle (town) | 805 | $88,125 |
| Manitowish Waters (town) | 624 | $71,932 |
| Plum Lake (town) | 553 | $67,679 |
| Winchester (town), Vilas County | 528 | $68,889 |
| SaynerGEOID 5571950 | 231 | $33,750 |
| Boulder JunctionGEOID 5508925 | 179 | $43,063 |
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 Vilas County?
The median resident of Vilas County is 55.7 years old; 16.2% are under 18 and 31.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.8%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 8.1%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Vilas County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 55.7±0.3 | 40.2 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 16.2%±0.2 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 31.8%±0.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 8.0% | −0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.8%±0.5 pts | 78.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 8.1%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±0.5 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±0.6 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6%±0.9 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 15.8%±1.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.6%±0.9 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.6%±0.6 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.9%±2.3 pts | 33.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.4%±1.1 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.0%±0.9 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 Vilas County earn?
Half of Vilas County's 11,147 households earn less than $68,431 a year (±$2,845), against $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 the median was $57,931 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,500 after inflation. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Vilas County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,431±$2,845 | $77,485 | +$10,500 |
| Mean household income | $88,583±$4,363 | $101,466 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,101±$2,133 | $43,373 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.1%±1.7 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.5%±5.0 pts | 12.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.9%±1.5 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.9%±1.6 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 Vilas County?
Owners occupy 84.0% of Vilas County's occupied homes and renters 16.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $300,000 by its owner (±$13,399). The median renter pays $847 a month including utilities, and 22.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Vilas County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $300,000±$13,399 | $266,500 | +$50,292 |
| Median gross rent | $847±$65 | $1,087 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.9%±5.3 pts | 35.0% | −12.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,477±$85 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.0%±1.9 pts | 67.8% | +6.3 pts |
| Housing units | 24,876±56 | 2,778,572 | −1,045 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 14.2%±4.5 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.8%±1.4 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.9%±1.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.5%±0.8 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 Vilas County building?
Builders took permits for 314 new housing units across Vilas County in 2025 (266 single-family), 13.2 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 Vilas County get to work?
75.1% of Vilas County's workers drive alone and 11.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Vilas County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.9%±1.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±0.8 pts | 3.2% | −2.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.1%±2.3 pts | 74.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±1.3 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 3.4%±1.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.3%±1.7 pts | 13.1% | +4.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.5 min±1.0 | 22.2 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 are Vilas County's census tracts?
Vilas County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,321 (Tract 9400) to $83,309 (Tract 9502.02).
| Tract 940055125940000 | 3,665±26 | $57,321 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502.0155125950201 | 3,120±269 | $65,938 |
| Tract 9502.0255125950202 | 1,571±216 | $83,309 |
| Tract 9505.0155125950501 | 3,107±286 | $68,512 |
| Tract 9505.0255125950502 | 3,089±228 | $72,625 |
| Tract 9506.0155125950601 | 3,133±370 | $74,803 |
| Tract 9506.0255125950602 | 1,718±252 | $75,750 |
| Tract 950755125950700 | 4,244±342 | $62,340 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Vilas County compare with Wisconsin's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 49th of 72 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 14th of 72 |
| Residents per square mile | 56th of 72 |
| Median household income | 45th of 72 |
| Median home value | 9th of 72 |
| Median gross rent | 43rd of 72 |
| Poverty rate | 26th of 72 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19th of 72 |
| Median age | 3rd 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 Vilas 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.