Washburn ZIP Codes — Bayfield County, WI

There is one unique ZIP code in Washburn, Wisconsin and it is 54891. Area code: 715/534.

ZIP codes

68.52

sq mi land

0.81

sq mi water

715/534

area code

Washburn, WI ZIP code map

About Washburn, WI

Washburn is a charming city located in the state of Wisconsin, known for its beautiful views and close-knit community. Nestled in Bayfield County, it offers a unique blend of nature and culture, attracting visitors year-round. The city boasts a picturesque waterfront that enhances its small-town charm.

Location & geography

Washburn is situated along the shores of Lake Superior, providing stunning natural scenery and a variety of outdoor activities. It is approximately 20 miles from Bayfield to the north and about 45 miles from Ashland to the west. The total land area of the city is 68.52 square miles, with a water area of 0.81 square miles, making it a wonderful place to enjoy both land and water pursuits.

Community & economy

The character of Washburn is defined by its friendly residents and community-oriented lifestyle. The local economy is supported by tourism, fishing, and small-scale agriculture, which play a significant role in daily life. Visitors and locals alike enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, charming shops, and annual events that bring everyone together.

Transportation

Transportation in Washburn primarily relies on U.S. Highway 2, which provides access to nearby cities and attractions. The nearest airport is the John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport in Ashland, WI, which supports regional air travel. While public transit options are limited, the small-town setting allows for easy navigation by car or bicycle.

History

Washburn was founded in the late 19th century and has a rich history tied to the logging industry, which was prevalent in the area at the time. Over the years, it has transformed into a hub for tourism and recreation, attracting visitors to its scenic beauty and historical sites. Notable events in its history include the establishment of the Washburn Historical Society, which preserves the city’s unique heritage.

Did you know?

An interesting fact about Washburn is that it features the unique local architecture influenced by its history as a lumber town. Additionally, it serves as a gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a popular destination for kayaking and hiking enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Washburn, WI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
54891	Washburn	Bayfield	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,338

Population

49.1

Median age

$62,443

Median household income

$39,625

Per capita income

$185,100

Median home value

$823

Median monthly rent

76.4%

Home ownership

12.2%

Poverty rate

2.7%

Unemployment

1,394

Housing units

41.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

150

25–34

146

189

35–44

185

221

45–54

216

144

55–59

140

131

60–64

128

235

65–74

229

138

75–84

135

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	619	18.5%
18 and over	2,719	81.5%
65 and over	858	25.7%
Median age	49.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85%

Two or more races 6.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 3.2%

Hispanic or Latino 2.3%

Black or African American 2.1%

Other race 0.6%

Asian 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	2,904	85%
Two or more races	222	6.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	108	3.2%
Hispanic or Latino	77	2.3%
Black or African American	71	2.1%
Other race	19	0.6%
Asian	14	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 5.0%

$10k–$15k 5.7%

$15k–$25k 7.3%

$25k–$35k 11.7%

$35k–$50k 9.5%

$50k–$75k 19.7%

$75k–$100k 13.3%

$100k–$150k 16.2%

$150k–$200k 7.4%

$200k+ 4.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.0%
$10k–$15k	5.7%
$15k–$25k	7.3%
$25k–$35k	11.7%
$35k–$50k	9.5%
$50k–$75k	19.7%
$75k–$100k	13.3%
$100k–$150k	16.2%
$150k–$200k	7.4%
$200k+	4.1%
Median income	$62,443

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.6%

$50k–$100k 12.3%

$100k–$150k 20.0%

$150k–$200k 21.0%

$200k–$300k 30.2%

$300k–$500k 9.4%

$500k–$1M 4.1%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$185,100
Median rent / month	$823
Owner occupied	76.4%
Renter occupied	23.6%
Vacant	13.5%
Single-family detached	79.6%
Large apartment buildings	3.0%
Mobile homes	4.6%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.24

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.7%
2000–2009	10.5%
1990–1999	12.6%
1980–1989	14.7%
1970–1979	15.1%
1960–1969	2.9%
1950–1959	6.9%
1940–1949	6.3%
1939 or earlier	26.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.6%
1 bedroom	12.5%
2 bedrooms	23.4%
3 bedrooms	42.5%
4 bedrooms	15.1%
5+ bedrooms	2.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.5%
1 vehicle	30.8%
2 vehicles	34.1%
3 or more	27.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	51.3%
Electricity	11.2%
Propane / LP gas	25.9%
Fuel oil	1.1%
Wood	9.9%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	713	47.1%
Cohabiting couple	109	7.2%
Male householder, no spouse	282	18.6%
Female householder, no spouse	411	27.1%
Households with children under 18	339	22.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	667	44.0%
Average household size	2.14

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.4%	27.2%
Married	54.3%	47.9%
Separated	0.6%	0.3%
Widowed	3.8%	15.3%
Divorced	13.9%	9.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.3%

Some HS, no diploma 3.0%

HS graduate 25.9%

Some college, no degree 19.2%

Associate's degree 10.6%

Bachelor's degree 26.2%

Graduate / professional 14.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.7%
Bachelor's or higher	41.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	65	10.2%
Kindergarten	38	6.0%
Elementary school	229	36.0%
High school	160	25.2%
College / grad school	144	22.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.8%

Manufacturing 12.5%

Retail trade 10.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.8%

Public administration 8.1%

Other services 6.3%

Construction 6.1%

Professional & management 6.0%

Transportation & utilities 4.7%

Agriculture & mining 3.8%

Finance & real estate 3.3%

Wholesale trade 2.8%

Information 2.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	37.3%
Service	18.4%
Sales & office	18.1%
Natural resources & construction	7.6%
Production & transportation	18.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.0%
Government	19.0%
Self-employed	9.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.9%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	69.0%
Carpool	9.5%
Public transit	1.0%
Walk	3.7%
Other means	3.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.0

Poverty

All people 12.2%

Under 18 years 15.2%

18 and over 11.5%

Married-couple families 10.9%

Female-led households 10.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.7%
Retirement income	40.1%
Supplemental Security	4.0%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.6%
High cholesterol	35.4%
Heart disease	6.5%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	9.5%
Arthritis	25.8%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	5.9%
Cancer	8.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	23.4%
No physical activity	17.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.3%
Fair or poor health	11.0%
Poor mental health	11.9%
Poor physical health	9.4%
No health insurance	7.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.8%
Visited dentist	70.9%
Cholesterol screening	90.5%
Teeth loss	9.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	311	11.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.5%
Under 18	8.9%
18–64 years	14.9%
65 and over	34.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.5%
Public insurance	49.5%
Uninsured under 19	3.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,163	94.8%
Spanish	5	0.2%
Other Indo-European	2	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	3	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,287	98.5%
Born in same state	3,264	97.8%
Born in different state	1,878	56.3%
Foreign born	23	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	51	1.5%
Not a US citizen	31	60.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	469	14.1%
French	387	11.6%
Italian	376	11.3%
Arab	90	2.7%
German	74	2.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	48	1.4%
Dutch	14	0.4%
Irish	11	0.3%
Norwegian	8	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.4%
Internet access	89.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Washburn, WI have?

Washburn, WI has one ZIP code: 54891. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.