Forest County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Forest County, Wisconsin, had a population of 9,179. The racial makeup was 80.7% White, 10.8% Native American, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, and 4.7% identified as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals comprised 1.7% of the population. The county's median household income was approximately $43,500, with 18% of residents living below the poverty line. Forest County has a significant rural character, with a population density of around 10 people per square mile.

Forest County, WI, has a median home value of approximately $128,300. The median rent is around $681 per month. About 70.2% of housing units are owner-occupied, while 29.8% are renter-occupied. The vacancy rate is roughly 21.3%. The majority of homes are single-family residences, comprising about 73% of the housing stock. The median year of construction for homes is 1968. This data is subject to change and should be verified for the latest statistics.

As of the latest update:

1. County Board Elections (April 2022)

   • District 1: Martha McGeshick (incumbent) vs. Karen Brown
   • District 2: Walter Brown (incumbent), unopposed
   • District 3: Robert Dailey vs. Joseph LeMaster (incumbent)

2. Voter Registration (2021)

   • Approximately 5,000 registered voters
   • Roughly 65% turnout in previous elections

3. Political Landscape

   • Often close races in local elections
   • Majority of the county leans conservative

4. Upcoming Elections (2023)

   • Expected positions: County Clerk, Sheriff, Treasurer
   • Key dates: Filing deadline (June 1), General Election (November 7)

Forest County, WI, has educational attainment levels that reflect its small, rural nature. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 data, around 86% of residents aged 25 and older have at least a high school diploma, compared to the national average of 88%. Approximately 14% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is below the national average of 35% and the Wisconsin state average of 30%.

This lower level of higher education attainment is typical for rural counties but highlights areas for potential improvement in educational access and resources. Despite these statistics, local educational institutions work diligently to provide quality education within the community.

Forest County's high school graduation rates align closely with national figures but trailing in higher education degrees suggests a need for targeted educational programs to boost post-secondary achievement.

As of the most recent data, Forest County, Wisconsin has an employment rate of approximately 54.2%, which is lower than the national average of around 61.4% and the Wisconsin state average of about 66.0%. Major industries include manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, and retail trade.

In Forest County:

• Manufacturing employs about 20% of the workforce, compared to 8.5% nationally and 18.1% statewide.
• Healthcare and social assistance employs around 19%, versus 14.8% nationally and 15.9% statewide.
• Retail trade employs about 14%, in line with the national average of 12.3%.

The county's employment landscape is distinct with a higher concentration in manufacturing compared to national figures, while other sectors like finance and technology are less represented. This indicates a local economy influenced heavily by traditional industries.

As of the most recent data, Forest County, WI, has a median household income of approximately $46,250. Comparatively, the median household income for the state of Wisconsin is around $61,747, while the national median household income is approximately $68,703.

Statistics Table

Forest County’s income is significantly below both the state and national averages, reflecting economic challenges in the region.

Sourced from: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (most recent available data).

Forest County, WI, has relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. Based on recent data, the overall crime rate is approximately 2,393 incidents per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of about 2,580 per 100,000 people. Here is a breakdown of various types of crimes:

Violent crimes are notably low, with the majority of recorded incidents falling under property crimes. The lower crime rate makes Forest County relatively safer compared to other regions.