County profile · Wisconsin
Washburn County, WI market data
How Washburn County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 17,087
- +2.8% since 2020
- Households
- 7,566
- Median household income
- $63,441
- +26.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $226,100
- Jobs located here
- 5,324
- Highest market score
- 77
- Salons, barbers and spas, #117 of 2,385 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Washburn County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Washburn County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
Washburn County has an estimated 17,087 people and 7,566 households. Between 2020 and 2025, the population of Washburn County grew 2.8%, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Washburn County is $63,441, 21% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 26.2%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Washburn County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 119, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (60).
Of the business types scored in Washburn County, salons, barbers and spas (77); clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (72); and clothing and shoe stores (72) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For salons, barbers and spas, that ranks #117 of 2,385 scored counties.
Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for pet businesses (53% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for salons, barbers and spas (55% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Washburn County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Washburn County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salons, barbers and spas | 77 | #117 of 2,385 | 16 | 21.1 | $434K | 204 | 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 72 | #309 of 2,210 | 7 | 9.3 | $2M | 224 | Under 3 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 72 | #314 of 2,087 | 5 | 6.6 | $2.8M | 217 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 71 | #247 of 1,656 | 5 | 6.6 | $2M | 112 | 4 |
| Hair salons | 68 | #360 of 2,339 | 12 | 15.9 | $579K | 134 | 3 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 68 | #417 of 2,394 | 38 | 50.2 | $263K | 172 | 13 |
| Auto repair and car care | 61 | #698 of 2,401 | 28 | 37.0 | $308K | 115 | 13 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 56 | #689 of 1,889 | 5 | 6.6 | $5.4M | 130 | 5 |
| Gyms | 54 | #768 of 1,792 | 5 | 6.6 | $1.2M | 89 | Under 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 54 | #1,049 of 2,402 | 21 | 27.8 | $2.1M | 61 | 3 |
| Convenience stores | 51 | #1,093 of 2,261 | 8 | 10.6 | $5.4M | 69 | Under 3 |
| Gas stations | 50 | #1,163 of 2,358 | 11 | 14.5 | $2M | 84 | 11 |
| Auto repair shops | 49 | #1,236 of 2,378 | 20 | 26.4 | $432K | 97 | 11 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 47 | #1,216 of 2,088 | 10 | 13.2 | $577K | 87 | Under 3 |
| Grocery stores | 40 | #1,380 of 2,070 | 9 | 11.9 | $4.8M | 52 | 3 |
| Insurance agencies | 38 | #1,527 of 2,272 | 10 | 13.2 | $1.3M | 107 | 10 |
| Pet businesses | 37 | #1,655 of 2,200 | 12 | 15.9 | $483K | 55 | 4 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 36 | #1,804 of 2,405 | 105 | 138.8 | $257K | 69 | 32 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 35 | #1,837 of 2,405 | 44 | 58.2 | $614K | 93 | 21 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 33 | #1,662 of 2,063 | 12 | 15.9 | $2.3M | 61 | 5 |
| Home repair trades | 31 | #1,822 of 2,057 | 11 | 14.5 | $1.7M | 71 | 16 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 27 | #1,546 of 1,707 | 6 | 7.9 | $3.2M | 67 | 10 |
| Real estate | 26 | #2,162 of 2,229 | 26 | 34.4 | Index only | 89 | 19 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 25 | #1,291 of 1,461 | 6 | 7.9 | $966K | 38 | Under 3 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 25 | #1,675 of 1,771 | 8 | 10.6 | $1.1M | 65 | 15 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 24 | #1,391 of 1,493 | 5 | 6.6 | $1.7M | 59 | 15 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 22 | #2,141 of 2,176 | 24 | 31.7 | Index only | 76 | 15 |
| Chiropractors | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.3 | $2.5M | 104 | 3 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.3 | $2.5M | 254 | 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.3 | $6.8M | 221 | 6 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.3 | $2.5M | 104 | 3 |
| Spas and skin care | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.3 | $1.7M | 198 | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.3 | $1.4M | 53 | 4 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.3 | $1.4M | 36 | Under 3 |
| Child care and preschools | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.0 | $878K | 88 | Under 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.0 | $2.9M | 93 | 4 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.0 | $6.3M | 53 | 6 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $4.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $662K | Too few | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $4.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pizza | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $13.5M | Too few | 6 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $9.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $8.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $13.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $5.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $8.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Washburn County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $8.6M | $1,141 | 119 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $22.1M | $2,926 | 113 |
| Food away from home | $27M | $3,572 | 88 |
| Groceries | $43.6M | $5,760 | 91 |
| Personal care products and services | $6.9M | $918 | 91 |
| Child care and other personal services | $2.6M | $348 | 60 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $5.8M | $762 | 78 |
| Medical and dental services | $10M | $1,320 | 102 |
| Pets | $5.8M | $766 | 84 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $13.8M | $1,825 | 89 |
| Vehicle insurance | $13.5M | $1,783 | 91 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $19M | $2,509 | 83 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $8.7M | $1,149 | 81 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $99.8M | $13,187 | 79 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Washburn County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 17,087+2.8% since 2020
- Households
- 7,566
- Median age
- 51.4
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 82%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.0
- Land area
- 797 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 21
- Median household income
- $63,441+26.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $85,270
- Median home value
- $226,100
- Jobs located here
- 5,324
- Daytime population
- 14,653Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Washburn County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Washburn County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Nearest counties in Wisconsin 8
- Sawyer County, WI18,476 people
- Burnett County, WI16,916 people
- Barron County, WI46,797 people
- Rusk County, WI14,179 people
- Polk County, WI45,555 people
- Douglas County, WI44,229 people
- Bayfield County, WI16,575 people
- Chippewa County, WI66,799 people
Questions
How fast is Washburn County, WI growing?
Population estimates put Washburn County at 17,087 people in 2025, up 2.8% since 2020, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 7,566 households. Median household income rose 26.2% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Washburn County, WI spend?
Households in Washburn County spend about $99.8M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $43.6M on groceries and $27M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Washburn County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 119, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (60).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Washburn County, WI?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Washburn County are for salons, barbers and spas (77); clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (72); and clothing and shoe stores (72). Washburn County ranks #117 of 2,385 scored counties for salons, barbers and spas.
How does Washburn County, WI compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Washburn County is $63,441 a year, 21% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 2.8% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $226,100, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Washburn County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for pet businesses (53% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for salons, barbers and spas (55% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 27 of the 56 business types have a score in Washburn County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Washburn County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in Washburn County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Washburn County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.