1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Douglas County is $909 a month against a median household income of $75,099, about 15% of income (ACS 2020-24). For a Douglas County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Wisconsin license.
On this page
- First look: Douglas County, WI
- Earnings across Douglas County households
- Labor force snapshot: Douglas County
- Douglas County's most unusual numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Douglas County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Douglas County
- Douglas County and the counties next door
- People and households in Douglas County
- Local borrowing considerations for Douglas County
- Debt-to-income, Douglas County edition
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Douglas County
- Beyond Douglas County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Douglas County, WI
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Douglas County's population at 44,229; only 33 of Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 1,304 square miles, that works out to roughly 33.9 residents per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Duluth, MN-WI metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Largest place: Superior, about 26,677 residents (60% of Douglas County); 8 Census places in all.
Earnings across Douglas County households
The median household income in Douglas County is $75,099; statewide it is $77,485, so Douglas County runs 3% below Wisconsin as a whole. That places it 27th among Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas.
| Household income | Douglas County | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.3% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.2% | -1.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.4% | +2.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -3.2 pts |
Six-figure households (36%) outnumber those under $35,000 (23%) in Douglas County. Poverty rate, Douglas County: 10.8%; Wisconsin: 10.6%. A household earning below the $75,099 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Labor force snapshot: Douglas County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Douglas County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. Compared with Wisconsin, the county leans toward transportation, warehousing and utilities (8% against 5%). The survey's unemployment rate for Douglas County averages 3.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.2%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 11%; under 15 minutes: 38%. No car: 8.0% of Douglas County households.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Douglas County | Gap to Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.5% | +3.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.6% | +2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.7% | -8.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.6% | +2.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.3% | +3.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | +0.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Douglas County's most unusual numbers
Out of every Wisconsin county, Douglas County is most unusual on these measures.
- On households without a vehicle, Douglas County sits near the top of Wisconsin at 8.0%, 6th highest of 72. Car-free households may need loans less for repairs but more for moves.
- On the uninsured rate, Douglas County sits near the bottom of Wisconsin at 4.0%, 12th lowest of 72. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
Rent, home values and ownership in Douglas County
Half of Douglas County renters pay more than $909 a month and half pay less; the Wisconsin midpoint is $1,087. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 43% in Douglas County, 44% statewide. Douglas County homes are worth $205,800 at the median, a 2.7-to-1 ratio to income. Homeowners 72%, renters 28%. Against the median U.S. county, Douglas County rent is 4% above.
| Measure | Douglas County | Wisconsin | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 17% | 11% | +6.5 pts |
| Owners | 72% | 68% | +4.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | -3.4 pts |
| Median home value | $205,800 | $266,500 | 23% lower |
| Median gross rent | $909/mo | $1,087/mo | 16% lower |
| Mobile homes | 4.6% | 3.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 44% | -0.6 pts |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Douglas County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Douglas County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 30,320 people, so roughly 31% of residents live outside any named place. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $48,909, Poplar over Superior. No Douglas County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superior | city | 26,677 | $64,216 | $900 | 18 mi |
| Lake Nebagamon | village | 963 | $79,250 | $796 | 9 mi |
| Superior | village | 653 | $70,694 | $1,270 | 16 mi |
| Solon Springs | village | 649 | $75,625 | $765 | 9 mi |
| Poplar | village | 626 | $113,125 | $979 | 10 mi |
| Oliver | village | 462 | $86,250 | $967 | 19 mi |
| Brule | CDP | 162 | $92,917 | $917 | 17 mi |
| Gordon | CDP | 128 | $76,250 | $667 | 16 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Douglas County and the counties next door
Bayfield County is closest, 36 miles from center to center; the sixth, Sawyer County, is 55 miles off. Douglas County's $75,099 median trails 1 of the six and beats 5; the range runs $60,801 (Sawyer County) to $80,573 (Carlton County). Some neighbors are in Minnesota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Douglas County resident follows Wisconsin rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | - | $75,099 | $909/mo | 72% |
| Bayfield County, WI | 36 mi | $71,151 | $812/mo | 84% |
| Carlton County, MN | 38 mi | $80,573 | $1,009/mo | 80% |
| Washburn County, WI | 40 mi | $63,441 | $795/mo | 82% |
| Burnett County, WI | 47 mi | $62,819 | $771/mo | 86% |
| Pine County, MN | 49 mi | $71,146 | $877/mo | 82% |
| Sawyer County, WI | 55 mi | $60,801 | $712/mo | 77% |
People and households in Douglas County
In Douglas County, 28% of adults have at least a four-year degree (33% in Wisconsin). 4.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Douglas County | vs Wisconsin | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.4% | -5.0 pts | +6.2 pts |
| Work from home | 9.1% | -4.0 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Median age | 42.7 | +2.5 yrs | +1.2 yrs |
| No vehicle | 8.0% | +1.7 pts | +2.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.0% | -1.3 pts | -3.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.6% | -0.9 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | +0.2 pts | -2.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | -0.1 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Douglas County
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Debt-to-income, Douglas County edition
Douglas County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $75,099 a year is $6,258 of gross monthly income
- 15% goes to median rent ($909)
- Under a 40% cap, $2,503 total minus rent leaves $1,594
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Douglas County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Douglas County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Douglas County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Douglas County-area credit union.
- A Wisconsin license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Douglas County
Consumer lenders serving Douglas County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Wisconsin that is the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. If a Douglas County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. The Wisconsin page has statewide figures to set beside Douglas County's.
Beyond Douglas County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $75,099 a good income in Douglas County?
It is the county median, so half of Douglas County households earn more and half less; 36% earn $100,000 or more.
How does Douglas County rent compare with Wisconsin?
$909 locally versus $1,087 for the state, 16% below.
Can Douglas County owners borrow against a $205,800 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Is Gordon covered?
Yes. Gordon is one of 8 Census places in Douglas County, and this guide covers all of them.
Does living in Douglas County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Douglas County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.