Washburn, Wisconsin Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Washburn, Wisconsin
City
The main street (Bayfield Street / WIS 13) in downtown Washburn
Location of Washburn in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Bayfield
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Total	3.92 sq mi (10.14 km²)
• Land	3.91 sq mi (10.13 km²)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km²)
Elevation	692 ft (211 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	2,051
• Density	524.2/sq mi (202.4/km²)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	54891
Area code(s)	715 & 534
FIPS code	55-83525
GNIS feature ID	1576230

Washburn is a city and the county seat of Bayfield County, in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,051 at the 2020 census. The city is just east of and adjacent to the Town of Washburn. It is in northern Wisconsin, on the shore of Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay.

Wisconsin Highway 13 and County Highway C are the main routes in the community.

History
Geography
Demographics
- 2020 census
- 2010 census
Economy
Transportation
Local media
Notable people
Images for kids
See also

History

In 1659, the French explorers Radisson and Groseilliers touched here on their trip along the south shore of Lake Superior. In 1665 the Jesuit Claude-Jean Allouez established on the shore of the bay, a short distance south of the present city, the first French mission in Wisconsin. He named it "La Pointe du Saint Esprit," and in 1669 it was placed in charge of Father Jacques Marquette. The place was visited by Daniel Greysolon (Du Luth) in 1681–1682, and here in 1693 Pierre-Charles Le Sueur built a stockaded post. In 1718 a fort was erected and a French garrison placed in it. About 1820–1821 a trading post of the American Fur Company was established in the area.

The city itself was founded in 1883, named for Cadwallader C. Washburn, Republican governor of Wisconsin from 1872 until 1874. It was chartered in 1904.

Geography

Washburn is located at 46°40′26″N 90°53′51″W / 46.67389°N 90.89750°W / 46.67389; -90.89750 (46.673989, -90.897674).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.17 square miles (15.98 km²), of which, 3.90 square miles (10.10 km²) is land and 2.27 square miles (5.88 km²) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1890	3,039	—
1910	3,830	—
1920	3,707	−3.2%
1930	2,238	−39.6%
1940	2,363	5.6%
1950	2,070	−12.4%
1960	1,896	−8.4%
1970	1,957	3.2%
1980	2,080	6.3%
1990	2,285	9.9%
2000	2,280	−0.2%
2010	2,117	−7.1%
2020	2,051	−3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, the population was 2,051. The population density was 524.2 inhabitants per square mile (202.4/km²). There were 1,059 housing units at an average density of 270.6 per square mile (104.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.9% White, 5.2% Native American, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 6.8% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 2.9% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,117 people, 934 households, and 531 families living in the city. The population density was 542.8 inhabitants per square mile (209.6/km²). There were 1,070 housing units at an average density of 274.4 per square mile (105.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.4% White, 0.8% African American, 5.9% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 934 households, of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.1% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 45.9 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.1% were from 25 to 44; 32.2% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

Economy

Initially, the city's economy was based on lumbering, with sawmills lining the busy waterfront. It was also a popular summer resort, being especially well known for its boating and fishing. In 1905, the DuPont company opened an explosives plant just outside town, providing an important source of employment as timber resources were growing scarce. The closing of the DuPont plant in 1971 was a severe blow to the local economy.

Currently, the city's economy focuses on the tourist industry and its position as county seat.

Transportation

Bus service is provided by Bay Area Rural Transit.

Local media

Washburn receives three radio stations from Ashland; WATW, WBSZ and WJJH. Television stations come from the Duluth–Superior market; KDLH, KBJR, WDSE and WDIO.