Founded March 27, 1860 Largest city Ashland Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5 Population 16,016 (2013) University Northland College | Seat Ashland Congressional district 7th Area 5,941 km² Unemployment rate 6.5% (Apr 2015) | |
Named for Henry Clay's farm Ashland Rivers Marengo River, Potato River, Minnie Creek Destinations Apostle Islands, Apostle Islands National, Madeline Island, Ashland, Chequamegon‑Nicolet National Forest Points of interest Big Bay State Park, Madeline Island Museum, Basswood Island, Apostle Islands, Meyers Beach | ||
Ashland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,157. Its county seat is Ashland. The county was formed on March 27, 1860, from La Pointe County.
Contents
- Map of Ashland County WI USA
- History
- Geography
- Airports
- National protected area
- Demographics
- Cities
- Village
- References
Map of Ashland County, WI, USA
History
Ashland County was named in honor of the Lexington estate of Kentucky statesman Henry Clay, as one of the founders of the city of Ashland was an admirer of Clay.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,292 square miles (5,940 km2), of which 1,045 square miles (2,710 km2) is land and 1,247 square miles (3,230 km2) (54%) is water. It is the second-largest county in Wisconsin by total area. The Apostle Islands are a small group of islands in Lake Superior, off the Bayfield Peninsula with the majority of the islands located in Ashland County — only Sand, York and Raspberry Islands are in Bayfield County.
Airports
National protected area
Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 16,157 people residing in the county. 84.6% were White, 11.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.3% of some other race and 3.3% of two or more races. 1.9% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 25.6% were of German, 7.6% Finnish, 6.8% American, 6.5% Irish and 5.3% Norwegian ancestry.
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,866 people, 6,718 households, and 4,279 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 8,883 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.10% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 10.35% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 27.8% were of German, 8.4% Finnish, 7.4% Polish, 7.4% Norwegian, 7.3% Swedish and 5.4% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.6% spoke English as their first language. The reservation of the Bad River Chippewa Band is partially located in the county.
There were 6,718 households out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.60% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.30% were non-families. 30.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.