Rhinelander ZIP Codes — Oneida County, WI

There is one unique ZIP code in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and it is 54501. Area code: 715.

ZIP codes

366.33

sq mi land

26.27

sq mi water

715

area code

Rhinelander, WI ZIP code map

About Rhinelander, WI

Rhinelander is a charming city located in the northern part of Wisconsin. Known for its beautiful natural surroundings and outdoor recreational opportunities, Rhinelander is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The city serves as the county seat of Oneida County and offers a unique blend of small-town charm and vibrant community life.

Location & geography

Rhinelander is situated in Oneida County, approximately 90 miles north of Wausau and 180 miles northwest of Green Bay. The city covers a land area of 366.33 square miles and is complemented by 26.27 square miles of water, providing ample opportunities for water-related activities. The landscape is characterized by its scenic forests, lakes, and rivers, making it a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts.

Community & economy

The community of Rhinelander is known for its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of unity among its residents. The local economy is supported by a mix of tourism, manufacturing, and small businesses, creating a diverse job market. Daily life in Rhinelander offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, and winter sports, alongside community events that foster social engagement.

Transportation

Rhinelander is accessible via major highways, including U.S. Route 8 and State Highway 17, which connect the city to nearby regions and communities. The nearest airport is Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport, providing regional flights. Public transportation options are limited, but residents often rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Founded in the late 1800s, Rhinelander grew significantly due to the booming lumber industry, which laid the foundation for its early economy. The city became officially incorporated in 1885, attracting settlers and businesses alike, largely due to its rich natural resources. Over the years, Rhinelander has celebrated various events, including the famous Hodag festival, which reflects its unique local culture.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Rhinelander is that it is home to the legendary Hodag, a mythical creature that has become a symbol of the city. This creature is celebrated in local folklore and attracts visitors to the annual Hodag Heritage Festival.

ZIP codes for Rhinelander, WI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
54501	Rhinelander	Oneida	View map

Demographics & statistics

21,174

Population

48.0

Median age

$64,114

Median household income

$36,599

Per capita income

$172,200

Median home value

$811

Median monthly rent

81.4%

Home ownership

11.0%

Poverty rate

2.5%

Unemployment

10,948

Housing units

24.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

557

Under 5

547

488

5–9

479

653

10–14

640

585

15–19

573

536

20–24

526

1,181

25–34

1,157

1,087

35–44

1,066

1,294

45–54

1,269

849

55–59

832

1,073

60–64

1,051

1,487

65–74

1,457

617

75–84

605

285

85+

280

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	4,085	19.3%
18 and over	17,089	80.7%
65 and over	4,731	22.3%
Median age	48.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.3%

Two or more races 2.4%

Hispanic or Latino 2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.3%

Other race 1.2%

Black or African American 0.5%

Asian 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	19,942	92.3%
Two or more races	529	2.4%
Hispanic or Latino	440	2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	271	1.3%
Other race	260	1.2%
Black or African American	109	0.5%
Asian	63	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 3.4%

$10k–$15k 4.5%

$15k–$25k 8.5%

$25k–$35k 12.1%

$35k–$50k 11.3%

$50k–$75k 20.3%

$75k–$100k 12.7%

$100k–$150k 17.2%

$150k–$200k 5.1%

$200k+ 4.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.4%
$10k–$15k	4.5%
$15k–$25k	8.5%
$25k–$35k	12.1%
$35k–$50k	11.3%
$50k–$75k	20.3%
$75k–$100k	12.7%
$100k–$150k	17.2%
$150k–$200k	5.1%
$200k+	4.8%
Median income	$64,114

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.8%

$50k–$100k 14.8%

$100k–$150k 19.6%

$150k–$200k 16.7%

$200k–$300k 23.8%

$300k–$500k 13.1%

$500k–$1M 5.6%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$172,200
Median rent / month	$811
Owner occupied	81.4%
Renter occupied	18.6%
Vacant	29.8%
Single-family detached	81.2%
Large apartment buildings	1.6%
Mobile homes	5.2%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.37

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	5.1%
2000–2009	12.8%
1990–1999	15.1%
1980–1989	13.1%
1970–1979	16.4%
1960–1969	6.7%
1950–1959	11.6%
1940–1949	6.7%
1939 or earlier	12.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.9%
1 bedroom	6.1%
2 bedrooms	35.0%
3 bedrooms	42.3%
4 bedrooms	12.6%
5+ bedrooms	3.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.2%
1 vehicle	32.7%
2 vehicles	43.6%
3 or more	20.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	71.0%
Electricity	7.9%
Propane / LP gas	13.7%
Fuel oil	0.6%
Wood	6.0%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,469	50.5%
Cohabiting couple	674	7.6%
Male householder, no spouse	1,581	17.9%
Female householder, no spouse	2,120	24.0%
Households with children under 18	1,821	20.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,442	38.9%
Average household size	2.35

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.3%	24.3%
Married	51.2%	51.5%
Separated	0.7%	0.3%
Widowed	4.0%	9.0%
Divorced	12.8%	14.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.9%

Some HS, no diploma 4.1%

HS graduate 31.4%

Some college, no degree 25.3%

Associate's degree 13.7%

Bachelor's degree 15.8%

Graduate / professional 8.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.9%
Bachelor's or higher	24.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	226	5.8%
Kindergarten	256	6.5%
Elementary school	1,738	44.3%
High school	1,100	28.0%
College / grad school	602	15.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.8%

Manufacturing 18.6%

Retail trade 13.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.1%

Professional & management 7.8%

Construction 5.9%

Finance & real estate 5.7%

Other services 4.9%

Public administration 4.3%

Wholesale trade 3.4%

Transportation & utilities 2.9%

Agriculture & mining 2.3%

Information 1.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.4%
Service	17.3%
Sales & office	18.9%
Natural resources & construction	11.9%
Production & transportation	20.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.6%
Government	12.2%
Self-employed	7.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.7%
Carpool	9.2%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	2.9%
Other means	1.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.1

Poverty

All people 11.0%

Under 18 years 13.1%

18 and over 10.5%

Married-couple families 3.3%

Female-led households 15.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.9%
Retirement income	32.9%
Supplemental Security	5.8%
Cash public assistance	0.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.2%
High cholesterol	34.0%
Heart disease	6.9%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	26.4%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	6.8%
Cancer	7.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	23.5%
No physical activity	20.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.4%
Fair or poor health	12.8%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	10.5%
No health insurance	10.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.8%
Visited dentist	67.6%
Cholesterol screening	88.1%
Teeth loss	12.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,491	8.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.1%
Under 18	5.4%
18–64 years	13.2%
65 and over	28.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	67.8%
Public insurance	44.1%
Uninsured under 19	4.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	20,070	94.8%
Spanish	113	0.6%
Other Indo-European	82	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	20	0.1%
Other languages	8	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	20,989	99.1%
Born in same state	20,909	98.7%
Born in different state	16,460	77.7%
Foreign born	80	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	185	0.9%
Not a US citizen	112	60.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,624	12.4%
French	1,328	6.3%
Polish	993	4.7%
Arab	895	4.2%
German	385	1.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	298	1.4%
Dutch	224	1.1%
Norwegian	102	0.5%
Irish	92	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.8%
Internet access	93.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rhinelander, WI have?

Rhinelander, WI has one ZIP code: 54501. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.