Discover the 10 Fastest-Growing Counties in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is the Badger State. It’s a beautiful place to live and visit, with Lake Michigan on its right border. Lake Michigan isn’t the only lakefront in the state — Wisconsin is home to over 15,000 lakes! The state is covered in flatlands in the north, with forests and lakes interspersed throughout. The central and eastern parts of the state are very fertile, so they’re best for farmland. You can also visit beaches on the eastern side of the state that border Lake Michigan. 

If you’re considering moving to Wisconsin or relocating within the state, you may be wondering which counties are growing the fastest. Knowing the areas with the highest population growth can give an idea of which areas are improving or becoming great places to live. On the contrary, if you’re trying to avoid an area with a growing population, this article will also help. Keep reading to discover the 10 fastest-growing counties in Wisconsin.

#1 Burnett County — 3.1% Population Increase

Burnett County had a 3.1% population increase from 2020 to 2022, making it a tie for our first-place spot. It’s on the northwest border of the state and includes 21 towns, 20 unincorporated communities, a census-designated place, and 3 villages. It’s one of three counties in the state that doesn’t have an incorporated city. The county seat is Siren, a village with a land area of a little over a square mile.

Burnett County was created in 1856. It has many historical areas because the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin have lived in the area for a long time. The majority of their reservation land is in Burnett County. The St. Croix Chippewa Indians are the county’s largest employer.

The county is a great place for recreational outdoor activities. There are plenty of fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing areas nearby like Crex Meadows and the Gandy Dancer Trail.

#2 Vilas County — 3.1% Population Increase

Vilas County tied with Burnett County for the fastest population growth in the state. Like Burnett County, the first settlers of Vilas County were Native Americans, and it’s now home to the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation. In its early years, the primary industry in Vilas County was logging. 

In modern times, Vilas County is a popular place for outdoor recreation. There are thousands of acres of public land for hiking, fishing, and hunting. One tourist attraction is the Lake Nokomis Cranberry Farm. It’s a 330-acre cranberry farm with a winery, tastings, and tours available to visitors. 

#3 Adams County — 2.8% Population Increase

Adams County was founded in 1848 and it is now the third fastest-growing county in the state. There is speculation over whether its naming was in honor of President John Adams or later President John Quincy Adams. 

The county seat is Friendship, a village just outside of the city of Adams. Friendship is home to Castle Rock County Park, a 141-acre park on Castle Rock Lake. The lake is the 4th largest body of water in the state, offering many opportunities for swimming, fishing, and recreational activities. 

The county also has an event calendar with local fun like live music, farmers’ markets, and ski shows. It’s no wonder that residents are flocking to this lively little county.

#4 St. Croix County — 2.6% Population Increase

St. Croix’s name comes from the St. Croix River which borders the western side of the county. Its county seat is Hudson, a touristy city popular for its historical downtown. It’s been the site of a few movie filmings. Hudson is also home to the very first Little Free Library and is the current headquarters for the operation.

Willow River State Park is in St. Croix County. It’s a 2,800-acre park with campgrounds, hiking trails, and lots of beautiful countryside to view. There is also a lake inside the park, Little Falls Lake, which offers fishing and swimming opportunities. 

#5 Sawyer County — 2.6% Population Increase

Sawyer County is in the northwest part of the state and its county seat is the city of Hayward. Hayward is the only city in the county and it’s known for having great fishing. It’s home to the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum is the international headquarters for promoting and educating visitors about fresh water sportfishing. 

The county overlaps with the reservation of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. For years, it was a contested land area between the Dakota and Ojibwe people. Eventually, the Ojibwe defeated the Dakota people. Then, the Ojibwe people negotiated with the United States government to establish the reservation.

#6 Waushara County — 1.9% Population Increase

Waushara County is about 80 miles north of the state capital of Madison. It’s home to part of the Ice Age Trail, a thousand-mile path that stretches across the state of Wisconsin. The trail came into existence over 12,000 years ago because of a moving glacier. There are also a few other local parks and hiking trails. 

#7 Oconto County — 1.7% Population Increase

Oconto County is one of the oldest settlements in the state. It was created in 1851. The county seat is the city of Oconto, and there are two other cities in the county: Gillett and Oconto Falls. 

It’s home to the Nicolet National Forest, which offers camping, hiking, and snowmobiling trails. There are also around 1,000 ATV and snowmobile trails in the county itself. With so many fun recreational areas, there’s no question as to why so many people are moving to Oconto County.

#8 Ozaukee County — 1.6% Population Increase

Ozaukee County is on Lake Michigan, and it’s the location of the Hilgen Spring Mound Site. The site is one of the oldest mound groups in Wisconsin, dating back to 480 B.C. It’s also the location of the Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve, a bluffland next to Lake Michigan. 

Ozaukee County is a “bird city” in Wisconsin. Bird cities are places across the state that have made efforts to enhance the environment for birds and educate the public about them. 

#9 Polk County — 1.6% Population Increase

Polk County is on the western border of the state and borders Minnesota. It was named after James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States. 

The St. Croix River Visitor Center is located there, with a pollinator garden and exhibits of the river. It’s a great county for outdoor lovers because of the green areas and local hiking spots.

#10 Dane County — 1.2% Population Increase

Dane County is the second-largest county in the state by population. It’s home to Madison, which is the state capital and the county seat. 

One attraction in the area is the Henry Vilas Zoo. It’s one of the only admission-free zoos in the country. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits and over 650 animals from many parts of the world.

There is a county podcast, which is available to listen to monthly and hosted by County Executive Joe Parisi. It highlights the Dane County government, as well as the current projects that they’re working on. Each month focuses on a new issue or activity like bike trails, housing access, and going green. 

Summary of the Fastest-Growing Counties in Wisconsin