Eagle River ZIP Codes — Vilas County, WI

There is one unique ZIP code in Eagle River, Wisconsin and it is 54521. Area code: 715.

ZIP codes

188.36

sq mi land

25.39

sq mi water

715

area code

Eagle River, WI ZIP code map

About Eagle River, WI

Eagle River, Wisconsin, is a charming city located in the northern part of the state. It serves as the county seat of Vilas County and is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities. Visitors and residents alike enjoy numerous lakes and forests that create a picturesque backdrop for daily life.

Location & geography

Eagle River is situated approximately 15 miles south of the Michigan border and is surrounded by the pristine landscapes of the Northwoods. Nearby cities include Rhinelander to the west, approximately 35 miles away, and Minocqua, around 20 miles to the south. The city encompasses a land area of 188.36 square miles, with a notable water area of 25.39 square miles, contributing to its scenic charm.

Community & economy

The character of Eagle River is defined by its welcoming small-town atmosphere and a strong connection to the outdoors. The local economy thrives on tourism, with businesses catering to visitors seeking activities such as fishing, hiking, and snowmobiling. Daily life in Eagle River reflects a close-knit community spirit, with residents frequently engaging in community events and local festivals.

Transportation

Eagle River is accessible via major roadways, including U.S. Route 45, which runs through the city and connects to other parts of Wisconsin. The nearest airport is Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport, located about 35 miles away, providing regional air services. Public transit options are limited, emphasizing car travel for residents and visitors.

History

Eagle River was founded in the late 19th century and quickly developed as a center for logging and tourism. Key industries included lumber and tourism, which continue to play vital roles in the local economy today. Notable events in the city's history include its establishment as a popular summer getaway, attracting visitors to its remarkable lakes and outdoor activities.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Eagle River is that it is home to the World's Largest Chain of Lakes, which consists of over 28 lakes interconnected by natural waterways. This unique geographical feature not only enhances the area's beauty but also serves as a major draw for fishing enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

ZIP codes for Eagle River, WI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
54521	Eagle River	Vilas	View map

Demographics & statistics

8,424

Population

54.5

Median age

$68,850

Median household income

$40,935

Per capita income

$246,000

Median home value

$861

Median monthly rent

83.6%

Home ownership

9.5%

Poverty rate

3.7%

Unemployment

6,953

Housing units

26.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

153

Under 5

146

174

5–9

165

217

10–14

206

201

15–19

191

199

20–24

190

368

25–34

350

316

35–44

300

554

45–54

528

363

55–59

345

482

60–64

458

815

65–74

775

321

75–84

305

155

85+

147

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,324	15.7%
18 and over	7,100	84.3%
65 and over	2,518	29.9%
Median age	54.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.8%

Two or more races 3.5%

Hispanic or Latino 2.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.2%

Other race 0.5%

Black or African American 0.4%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	7,920	91.8%
Two or more races	298	3.5%
Hispanic or Latino	201	2.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	107	1.2%
Other race	47	0.5%
Black or African American	32	0.4%
Asian	20	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.6%

$10k–$15k 2.6%

$15k–$25k 5.6%

$25k–$35k 9.5%

$35k–$50k 14.8%

$50k–$75k 18.8%

$75k–$100k 15.3%

$100k–$150k 18.2%

$150k–$200k 6.4%

$200k+ 5.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.6%
$10k–$15k	2.6%
$15k–$25k	5.6%
$25k–$35k	9.5%
$35k–$50k	14.8%
$50k–$75k	18.8%
$75k–$100k	15.3%
$100k–$150k	18.2%
$150k–$200k	6.4%
$200k+	5.1%
Median income	$68,850

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.4%

$50k–$100k 6.7%

$100k–$150k 14.0%

$150k–$200k 15.3%

$200k–$300k 20.5%

$300k–$500k 27.7%

$500k–$1M 10.1%

$1M+ 1.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$246,000
Median rent / month	$861
Owner occupied	83.6%
Renter occupied	16.4%
Vacant	49.0%
Single-family detached	84.4%
Large apartment buildings	1.0%
Mobile homes	6.2%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.13

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	5.5%
2000–2009	14.3%
1990–1999	14.5%
1980–1989	15.0%
1970–1979	19.6%
1960–1969	9.3%
1950–1959	8.4%
1940–1949	4.8%
1939 or earlier	8.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	7.2%
2 bedrooms	38.3%
3 bedrooms	36.0%
4 bedrooms	12.4%
5+ bedrooms	3.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.6%
1 vehicle	28.3%
2 vehicles	44.3%
3 or more	22.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	57.8%
Electricity	10.2%
Propane / LP gas	25.3%
Fuel oil	0.5%
Wood	5.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,110	54.6%
Cohabiting couple	322	8.3%
Male householder, no spouse	784	20.3%
Female householder, no spouse	651	16.8%
Households with children under 18	736	19.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,725	44.6%
Average household size	2.15

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.3%	12.7%
Married	56.8%	65.0%
Separated	0.3%	0.4%
Widowed	5.5%	11.0%
Divorced	12.1%	11.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.8%

Some HS, no diploma 4.1%

HS graduate 33.1%

Some college, no degree 23.4%

Associate's degree 12.5%

Bachelor's degree 18.0%

Graduate / professional 8.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.1%
Bachelor's or higher	26.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	67	5.9%
Kindergarten	80	7.1%
Elementary school	556	49.3%
High school	304	27.0%
College / grad school	120	10.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.4%

Retail trade 14.8%

Construction 12.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.0%

Professional & management 8.4%

Manufacturing 5.9%

Other services 5.5%

Finance & real estate 5.2%

Transportation & utilities 3.9%

Agriculture & mining 3.7%

Information 3.3%

Public administration 3.2%

Wholesale trade 2.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.9%
Service	19.4%
Sales & office	24.8%
Natural resources & construction	13.2%
Production & transportation	13.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.5%
Government	13.9%
Self-employed	13.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.6%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	74.2%
Carpool	9.2%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	7.2%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.6

Poverty

All people 9.5%

Under 18 years 14.8%

18 and over 8.5%

Married-couple families 3.2%

Female-led households 35.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.1%
Retirement income	38.7%
Supplemental Security	3.7%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.0%
High cholesterol	37.9%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	30.5%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	7.8%
Cancer	8.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.0%
No physical activity	21.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.0%
Fair or poor health	14.0%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	11.3%
No health insurance	9.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.5%
Visited dentist	69.4%
Cholesterol screening	90.2%
Teeth loss	12.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	793	11.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.6%
Under 18	5.6%
18–64 years	11.3%
65 and over	28.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	70.8%
Public insurance	47.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	8,125	96.5%
Spanish	54	0.7%
Other Indo-European	43	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	11	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	8,250	97.9%
Born in same state	8,238	97.8%
Born in different state	5,522	65.6%
Foreign born	12	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	174	2.1%
Not a US citizen	147	84.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,007	12%
French	615	7.3%
Arab	355	4.2%
Polish	327	3.9%
English	135	1.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	118	1.4%
Dutch	109	1.3%
Irish	98	1.2%
Norwegian	12	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.9%
Internet access	92.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Eagle River, WI have?

Eagle River, WI has one ZIP code: 54521. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.