Shell Lake ZIP Codes — Washburn County, WI

There is one unique ZIP code in Shell Lake, Wisconsin and it is 54871. Area code: 715.
1
ZIP codes
115.70
sq mi land
7.18
sq mi water
715
area code
Shell Lake, WI ZIP code map

About Shell Lake, WI

Shell Lake, Wisconsin, is a charming city located in Washburn County. Known for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant community, Shell Lake offers residents and visitors a peaceful retreat from the busyness of urban life. With its picturesque lakes and natural beauty, it serves as a perfect destination for outdoor activities year-round.

Location & geography

Shell Lake is nestled in the northwestern part of Wisconsin, surrounded by stunning natural features. The city is approximately 15 miles southeast of Spooner, 27 miles west of Hayward, and just over 30 miles northeast of Rice Lake, making it accessible for visitors from neighboring towns. Covering a land area of 115.70 square miles and a water area of 7.18 square miles, Shell Lake provides plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, and enjoying nature.

Community & economy

The community in Shell Lake is characterized by its warm hospitality and strong connection to nature. Primarily centered around tourism and outdoor recreation, local industries benefit from the area's natural resources, drawing visitors to its lakes, parks, and trails. Daily life in Shell Lake often revolves around community events, seasonal festivals, and various recreational pursuits, fostering a close-knit and engaged atmosphere.

Transportation

Shell Lake is accessible via Highway 63, which connects it to nearby cities and recreational areas. For air travel, the nearest major airport is Rice Lake's Rhiannon Airfield, roughly 30 miles away, providing regional access. Public transit is limited, but the city can be navigated easily by car or bike due to its scenic roads.

History

Shell Lake was founded in the late 19th century and has since developed into a hub for tourism and outdoor activities, largely thanks to its stunning lake and surrounding natural areas. The city has been a destination for summer vacationers, with key industries historically revolving around tourism and agriculture. Notable events, such as the annual Shell Lake Music Festival, contribute to the city's rich cultural fabric.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Shell Lake is that it is home to the Shell Lake Arts Center, which provides comprehensive arts education programs and hosts various cultural events. Additionally, the area is notable for its clear, clean waters, making it a popular spot for fishing and water sports.

ZIP codes for Shell Lake, WI (1)
ZIP code City County Map
54871 Shell Lake Washburn View map

Demographics & statistics

3,296
Population
43.4
Median age
$59,732
Median household income
$32,145
Per capita income
$196,600
Median home value
$833
Median monthly rent
81.3%
Home ownership
10.3%
Poverty rate
2.4%
Unemployment
1,604
Housing units
23.2%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
70
Under 5
87
102
5–9
125
108
10–14
133
100
15–19
124
97
20–24
120
110
25–34
136
173
35–44
214
178
45–54
220
66
55–59
82
102
60–64
125
237
65–74
292
87
75–84
107
45
85+
56
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1876323.1%
18 and over2,53376.9%
65 and over82425.0%
Median age43.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.2%
Two or more races 3.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2%
Hispanic or Latino 1.5%
Asian 1.2%
Black or African American 0.5%
Other race 0.2%
GroupCount%
White3,05191.2%
Two or more races1133.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native672%
Hispanic or Latino501.5%
Asian411.2%
Black or African American170.5%
Other race70.2%

Household income

Under $10k 2.4%
$10k–$15k 6.5%
$15k–$25k 10.2%
$25k–$35k 10.3%
$35k–$50k 14.7%
$50k–$75k 14.5%
$75k–$100k 16.8%
$100k–$150k 16.0%
$150k–$200k 3.9%
$200k+ 4.7%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.4%
$10k–$15k6.5%
$15k–$25k10.2%
$25k–$35k10.3%
$35k–$50k14.7%
$50k–$75k14.5%
$75k–$100k16.8%
$100k–$150k16.0%
$150k–$200k3.9%
$200k+4.7%
Median income$59,732

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.3%
$50k–$100k 10.0%
$100k–$150k 19.6%
$150k–$200k 16.0%
$200k–$300k 27.0%
$300k–$500k 14.0%
$500k–$1M 6.3%
$1M+ 1.8%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$196,600
Median rent / month$833
Owner occupied81.3%
Renter occupied18.7%
Vacant32.2%
Single-family detached84.2%
Large apartment buildings3.7%
Mobile homes5.8%
Median rooms5.4
Avg household size (owned)2.72

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.2%
2010–20195.3%
2000–200922.1%
1990–199910.8%
1980–19899.0%
1970–197920.5%
1960–19698.3%
1950–19597.3%
1940–19493.4%
1939 or earlier13.0%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)2.7%
1 bedroom9.8%
2 bedrooms26.9%
3 bedrooms38.3%
4 bedrooms17.4%
5+ bedrooms4.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle5.3%
1 vehicle27.1%
2 vehicles42.3%
3 or more25.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas37.0%
Electricity10.7%
Propane / LP gas39.3%
Fuel oil0.7%
Wood10.4%
No fuel used0.6%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family66553.4%
Cohabiting couple957.6%
Male householder, no spouse13711.0%
Female householder, no spouse34828.0%
Households with children under 1835928.8%
Households with seniors (65+)49940.1%
Average household size2.56

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married26.3%23.7%
Married59.8%51.7%
Separated0.8%0.2%
Widowed2.3%13.0%
Divorced10.7%11.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.4%
Some HS, no diploma 4.4%
HS graduate 30.4%
Some college, no degree 26.7%
Associate's degree 13.8%
Bachelor's degree 15.4%
Graduate / professional 7.8%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher94.2%
Bachelor's or higher23.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool485.9%
Kindergarten799.8%
Elementary school31639.1%
High school24129.8%
College / grad school12515.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.7%
Manufacturing 15.3%
Retail trade 10.1%
Arts, food & hospitality 8.7%
Public administration 7.2%
Construction 7.0%
Transportation & utilities 5.6%
Finance & real estate 5.4%
Professional & management 4.4%
Agriculture & mining 3.9%
Other services 3.7%
Information 1.6%
Wholesale trade 1.4%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts29.5%
Service20.0%
Sales & office22.5%
Natural resources & construction13.6%
Production & transportation14.3%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector74.1%
Government17.7%
Self-employed8.0%
Unpaid family workers0.2%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone78.3%
Carpool10.5%
Public transit0.0%
Walk1.6%
Other means1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)21.3

Poverty

All people 10.3%
Under 18 years 9.6%
18 and over 10.5%
Married-couple families 7.7%
Female-led households 9.8%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security42.7%
Retirement income31.5%
Supplemental Security6.3%
Cash public assistance3.1%
Food stamps / SNAP12.0%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure35.1%
High cholesterol36.9%
Heart disease8.0%
Stroke3.7%
Asthma9.9%
Arthritis29.1%
Kidney disease3.5%
Pulmonary disease7.7%
Cancer8.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking21.6%
No physical activity22.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.1%
Fair or poor health14.0%
Poor mental health13.1%
Poor physical health11.4%
No health insurance9.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.0%
Visited dentist67.6%
Cholesterol screening89.1%
Teeth loss13.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans2409.5%
Disability%
Any disability16.4%
Under 182.0%
18–64 years14.0%
65 and over35.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance66.2%
Public insurance45.8%
Uninsured under 193.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only3,13995.2%
Spanish70.2%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander30.1%
Other languages40.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)3,23298.1%
Born in same state3,23098.0%
Born in different state2,14365.0%
Foreign born20.1%
Naturalized citizen641.9%
Not a US citizen5484.4%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Polish38211.6%
Italian34410.4%
French2156.5%
Arab1474.5%
Dutch1073.2%
AncestryCount%
English601.8%
German441.3%
Irish70.2%
Norwegian10%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access37.8%
Internet access91.2%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Shell Lake, WI have?
Shell Lake, WI has one ZIP code: 54871. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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