Birchwood ZIP Codes — Washburn County, WI

There is one unique ZIP code in Birchwood, Wisconsin and it is 54817. Area code: 715.

ZIP codes

159.96

sq mi land

13.59

sq mi water

715

area code

Birchwood, WI ZIP code map

About Birchwood, WI

Birchwood, Wisconsin, is a charming rural community nestled in Washburn County. Known for its scenic landscapes and peaceful atmosphere, Birchwood attracts residents and visitors alike who appreciate the beauty of nature. The town serves as a hub for outdoor activities and offers a close-knit community feel to those who call it home.

Location & geography

Birchwood is located in northwestern Wisconsin, approximately 35 miles east of the city of Rice Lake. The area is surrounded by other towns, including Spooner, which lies about 12 miles to the north, and Shell Lake, located roughly 15 miles to the west. With a total land area of 159.96 square miles and a water area of 13.59 square miles, Birchwood features a mix of rugged terrain and beautiful lakes.

Community & economy

The character of Birchwood is defined by its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of community among residents. The local economy is supported by industries such as tourism, agriculture, and small businesses, which help sustain day-to-day life in the area. Community events and recreational opportunities, like fishing and hiking, contribute to the vibrant lifestyle enjoyed by those living in Birchwood.

Transportation

Major highways in the vicinity include U.S. Route 63, which provides convenient access to nearby towns and state routes. The nearest named airport is the Northwoods County Airport, located about 20 miles away, facilitating air travel for residents and visitors. Public transport options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation.

History

Birchwood was established in the late 1800s, originally flourishing as a logging town due to the abundant timber resources in the area. Over the years, the community transitioned to a focus on agriculture and tourism, capitalizing on its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. Notable events in Birchwood's history include the development of local festivals that celebrate the area’s culture and heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Birchwood is that it is home to several lakes, making it a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts and water sports lovers. Additionally, the annual Birchwood Bluegill Festival draws visitors from across Wisconsin to celebrate fishing and local culture.

ZIP codes for Birchwood, WI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
54817	Birchwood	Washburn	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,247

Population

55.0

Median age

$80,455

Median household income

$38,555

Per capita income

$248,000

Median home value

$596

Median monthly rent

87.3%

Home ownership

11.6%

Poverty rate

2.2%

Unemployment

2,289

Housing units

27.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

150

45–54

144

124

55–59

119

106

60–64

102

233

65–74

222

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	375	16.7%
18 and over	1,872	83.3%
65 and over	675	30.0%
Median age	55.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.3%

Two or more races 2.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%

Hispanic or Latino 0.5%

Asian 0.4%

Black or African American 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	2,153	95.3%
Two or more races	60	2.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	19	0.8%
Hispanic or Latino	12	0.5%
Asian	10	0.4%
Black or African American	5	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.1%

$10k–$15k 2.2%

$15k–$25k 8.1%

$25k–$35k 5.2%

$35k–$50k 12.4%

$50k–$75k 15.7%

$75k–$100k 17.0%

$100k–$150k 21.6%

$150k–$200k 8.4%

$200k+ 5.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.1%
$10k–$15k	2.2%
$15k–$25k	8.1%
$25k–$35k	5.2%
$35k–$50k	12.4%
$50k–$75k	15.7%
$75k–$100k	17.0%
$100k–$150k	21.6%
$150k–$200k	8.4%
$200k+	5.3%
Median income	$80,455

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.8%

$50k–$100k 7.3%

$100k–$150k 12.4%

$150k–$200k 14.1%

$200k–$300k 27.6%

$300k–$500k 23.0%

$500k–$1M 12.0%

$1M+ 1.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$248,000
Median rent / month	$596
Owner occupied	87.3%
Renter occupied	12.7%
Vacant	59.6%
Single-family detached	94.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	3.3%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.30

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	6.1%
2000–2009	21.1%
1990–1999	20.1%
1980–1989	12.4%
1970–1979	14.0%
1960–1969	8.0%
1950–1959	6.4%
1940–1949	3.5%
1939 or earlier	8.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.1%
1 bedroom	7.7%
2 bedrooms	38.0%
3 bedrooms	37.3%
4 bedrooms	12.6%
5+ bedrooms	2.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.2%
1 vehicle	24.6%
2 vehicles	45.1%
3 or more	27.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.7%
Electricity	5.8%
Propane / LP gas	78.6%
Fuel oil	1.3%
Wood	12.2%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	629	64.4%
Cohabiting couple	74	7.6%
Male householder, no spouse	124	12.7%
Female householder, no spouse	149	15.3%
Households with children under 18	172	17.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	457	46.8%
Average household size	2.30

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	21.7%	18.8%
Married	66.4%	62.6%
Separated	0.4%	0.2%
Widowed	3.2%	9.2%
Divorced	8.2%	9.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.5%

Some HS, no diploma 4.3%

HS graduate 32.0%

Some college, no degree 22.8%

Associate's degree 11.4%

Bachelor's degree 18.8%

Graduate / professional 8.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.2%
Bachelor's or higher	27.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	2	0.6%
Kindergarten	17	5.5%
Elementary school	158	51.3%
High school	88	28.6%
College / grad school	43	14.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.4%

Manufacturing 18.5%

Retail trade 18.3%

Professional & management 8.6%

Construction 7.7%

Public administration 4.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.8%

Finance & real estate 4.1%

Agriculture & mining 3.6%

Wholesale trade 3.4%

Transportation & utilities 3.2%

Other services 1.9%

Information 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.3%
Service	11.1%
Sales & office	22.4%
Natural resources & construction	12.3%
Production & transportation	20.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.3%
Government	13.1%
Self-employed	8.9%
Unpaid family workers	1.7%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.4%
Carpool	7.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.0%
Other means	2.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.0

Poverty

All people 11.6%

Under 18 years 21.7%

18 and over 9.7%

Married-couple families 4.1%

Female-led households 25.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.3%
Retirement income	40.9%
Supplemental Security	5.6%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.9%
High cholesterol	39.2%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	29.7%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	9.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.7%
No physical activity	20.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.8%
Fair or poor health	13.1%
Poor mental health	11.9%
Poor physical health	10.9%
No health insurance	9.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.1%
Visited dentist	69.9%
Cholesterol screening	91.0%
Teeth loss	11.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	154	8.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.4%
Under 18	6.4%
18–64 years	8.4%
65 and over	29.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	69.3%
Public insurance	45.6%
Uninsured under 19	9.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,163	96.3%
Spanish	18	0.8%
Other Indo-European	2	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	16	0.7%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,225	99.0%
Born in same state	2,217	98.7%
Born in different state	1,461	65.0%
Foreign born	8	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	22	1.0%
Not a US citizen	12	54.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	308	13.7%
Polish	251	11.2%
French	136	6.1%
English	60	2.7%
Arab	55	2.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	18	0.8%
Norwegian	15	0.7%
Irish	11	0.5%
German	6	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.4%
Internet access	91.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Birchwood, WI have?

Birchwood, WI has one ZIP code: 54817. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.