1st Advantage MortgageThe median Barron County household earns $65,933, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Barron County
- What it costs to live in Barron County
- How much Barron County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Barron County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Barron County
- Budget math at the Barron County median
- Borrowing situations common in Barron County
- People and households in Barron County
- Wisconsin rules that apply in Barron County
- Four steps for Barron County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Barron County
With an estimated 46,797 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Barron County ranks 30th of 72 in Wisconsin for population. Land area is 863 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 54 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Barron County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (10 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Rice Lake, with about 9,030 residents, or 19% of the county.
What it costs to live in Barron County
A typical Barron County rental runs $879 a month including utilities, which is 19% below Wisconsin. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. Home values center on $216,600, or 3.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1977.
| Measure | Barron County | Wisconsin | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $879/mo | $1,087/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $216,600 | $266,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 11% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
How much Barron County households make
At $65,933, the typical Barron County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 55 Wisconsin counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Barron County | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.4% | +3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.2% | +6.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.4% | -6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.0% | -3.2 pts |
Some 23% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 11.0%, the same as the state's 10.6%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.441 here. For a borrower in Barron County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Jobs and commutes in Barron County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Barron County residents work in education and health care and 21% in manufacturing. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 5% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Barron County averages 2.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.2%). Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Barron County | Compared with Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.3% | -1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.7% | +2.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.3% | +0.3 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Polk County at 29 miles out to Burnett County at 39. Income ranges from $59,944 in Rusk County to $77,219 in Polk County; 3 of these neighbors top Barron County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barron County | - | $65,933 | $879/mo | 77% |
| Polk County, WI | 29 mi | $77,219 | $957/mo | 81% |
| Washburn County, WI | 32 mi | $63,441 | $795/mo | 82% |
| Dunn County, WI | 34 mi | $74,824 | $985/mo | 67% |
| Rusk County, WI | 35 mi | $59,944 | $874/mo | 78% |
| Chippewa County, WI | 38 mi | $74,680 | $963/mo | 74% |
| Burnett County, WI | 39 mi | $62,819 | $771/mo | 86% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Barron County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Barron County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 21,565 residents, leaving about 54% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $47,469 in Barron to $64,141 in Chetek. Live in one of these Barron County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Lake | city | 9,030 | $52,417 | $856 | 6 mi |
| Barron | city | 3,681 | $47,469 | $946 | 2 mi |
| Cumberland | city | 2,282 | $49,479 | $943 | 11 mi |
| Chetek | city | 2,177 | $64,141 | $959 | 13 mi |
| Cameron | village | 1,686 | $61,518 | $982 | 6 mi |
| Turtle Lake | village | 960 | $61,250 | $792 | 15 mi |
| Almena | village | 641 | $48,333 | $786 | 9 mi |
| Prairie Farm | village | 423 | $45,313 | $658 | 15 mi |
| Dallas | village | 359 | $48,542 | $815 | 13 mi |
| Haugen | village | 284 | $76,250 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Barronett | CDP | 42 | $50,625 | n/a | 15 mi |
Budget math at the Barron County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Barron County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Barron County: $5,494
- 16% goes to median rent ($879)
- Under a 43% cap, $2,363 total minus rent leaves $1,484
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Barron County's.
Borrowing situations common in Barron County
What the Barron County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Consolidating cards in Barron County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
People and households in Barron County
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Barron County | Wisconsin statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.9 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.2% | 33.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.3% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.2% | 5.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.5% | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.0% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.8% | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Barron County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.3% |
| 60+ min | 6.7% |
Wisconsin rules that apply in Barron County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Barron County borrowers answers to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Wisconsin guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Barron County borrowers
Steps that save money for Barron County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Barron County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Wisconsin.
- Ask a Barron County credit union about member loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Wisconsin guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Barron County?
$65,933 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,485 for Wisconsin. It ranks 56th of 72 in the state.
Is Barron County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $879 against $1,087 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Barron County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Rice Lake, Barron, Cumberland, Chetek, Cameron and 6 more.
Can Barron County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Wisconsin county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Barron County?
Start with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.