Location:
Washburn County is in the northwest region of Wisconsin, about 40 miles south of Superior and 75 miles northeast of Minneapolis.
Size:
The county is 853 square miles, covering 36 miles north to south and 24 miles east to west.
Population:
The 2020 census reported a population of 16,623.
County seat:
The county seat is Shell Lake.
History:
The county was created in 1883 from a portion of Burnett County and named after Cadwallader C. Washburn, a former Wisconsin Governor and Union General in the Civil War.
Attractions:
Washburn County has many attractions, including restaurants, campgrounds, RV parks, and cabins.
Land:
The county has 964 lakes, including 31,265 acres in lakes. The major watersheds are the St. Croix River (North) and Chippewa River (South).
Rivers:
The county’s rivers include the Brill, Clam, Namekagon, Totagatic, and Yellow.
