Vilas County, WI: income, rent and loan options

Vilas County in brief

Roughly 23,647 residents live in Vilas County, Wisconsin, 49th by population among the state's 72 counties and county equivalents. Vilas County spans 858 square miles; with 23,647 people, that is 27.6 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Vilas County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Vilas County, Eagle River leads by population with about 1,528; 1 of the 4 are incorporated.

Vilas County industries and commutes

By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Vilas County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in arts, lodging and food service, at 12% locally and 7% for Wisconsin. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.0% in Vilas County. About 75% drive to work alone and 8% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 427 Vilas County households, 3.8%, have no vehicle.

A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.

Paychecks and income spread in Vilas County

Vilas County households have a median income of $68,431 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 45th of 72 in Wisconsin.

On the low end, 22% of Vilas County households report under $35,000; at the top, 28% report $100,000-plus. Census counts 11.1% of Vilas County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Wisconsin. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.436 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Vilas 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.

Homes and rents, Vilas County

Vilas County rent at the median: $847 a month, utilities in ($1,087 in Wisconsin). 30% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 13% spend half or more. With a median value of $300,000, a typical Vilas County house costs 4.4 times what the median household earns in a year. In Vilas County, 84% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them.

In an owner-heavy county like Vilas County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.

Where Vilas County differs from the rest of Wisconsin

The 3 Vilas County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Wisconsin, and what each means for a borrower:

• Few Wisconsin counties match Vilas County on the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 30% here, 44% for the state, ranking the lowest of 72. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.
• Few Wisconsin counties match Vilas County on the housing vacancy rate: 55% here, 11% for the state, ranking the highest of 72. Many empty units can point to seasonal housing.
• Vilas County ranks 4th highest of 72 Wisconsin counties for median age: 55.7, against 40.2 statewide. Retirement income counts when documented; favor loans with no prepayment penalty.

Vilas County next to its neighbors

Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 49 miles). Oneida County leads the group on income ($69,371), Gogebic County trails ($52,732), and Vilas County out-earns 5 of the six. The list crosses into Michigan, where different lending rules and regulators apply.

Towns and communities in Vilas County

4 Census places fall mainly inside Vilas County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 3,437 residents, leaving about 85% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Vilas County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.

CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.

Vilas County residents: age, schooling, coverage

Bachelor's degree or higher: 31% of Vilas County adults. About 6% go without health insurance.

$5,703 a month: the Vilas County median budget

Vilas County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):

• Monthly gross at the median, Vilas County: $5,703
• Housing at the median rent of $847 uses 15%
• 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,605 left for all other debt payments

Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.

Local borrowing considerations for Vilas County

A few patterns in the Vilas County data, and the practical point behind each:

• Benefit income. With half of residents older than 56, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
• Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
• Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).

Lender oversight for Vilas County

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Wisconsin license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Wisconsin: Wisconsin personal loans.

Before you sign

Before you apply, wherever you live in Vilas County:

• Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
• Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
• Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
• Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.

More guides for Vilas County

Statewide:

• Wisconsin state guide