Burnett County, Wisconsin Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Burnett County
U.S. county
Burnett County Government Center
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
Founded	1865
Named for	Thomas P. Burnett
Seat	Siren
Largest village	Grantsburg
Area
• Total	880 sq mi (2,300 km²)
• Land	822 sq mi (2,130 km²)
• Water	58 sq mi (150 km²) 6.6%
Population (2020)
• Total	16,526
• Density	18.78/sq mi (7.25/km²)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	7th

Burnett County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,526. Its county seat is Siren, with the majority of county governmental services located at the Burnett County Government Center. The county was created in 1856 and organized in 1865.

Geography
Demographics
Communities
See also

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 880 square miles (2,300 km²), of which 872 square miles (2,260 km²) is land and 58 square miles (150 km²) (6.6%) is water. Saginaw Lake is located in the county, south of the Namekagon River.

Adjacent counties

Douglas County – northeast
Washburn County – east
Barron County – southeast
Polk County – south
Chisago County, Minnesota – southwest
Pine County, Minnesota – west

Major highways

Highway 35 (Wisconsin)
Highway 48 (Wisconsin)
Highway 70 (Wisconsin)
Highway 77 (Wisconsin)
Highway 87 (Wisconsin)

Airports

Burnett County Airport (KRZN) serves the county and surrounding communities.
Grantsburg Municipal Airport (KGTG) enhances county service.

National protected area

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	12	—
1870	706	5,783.3%
1880	3,140	344.8%
1890	4,393	39.9%
1900	7,478	70.2%
1910	9,026	20.7%
1920	10,735	18.9%
1930	10,233	−4.7%
1940	11,382	11.2%
1950	10,236	−10.1%
1960	9,214	−10.0%
1970	9,276	0.7%
1980	12,340	33.0%
1990	13,084	6.0%
2000	15,674	19.8%
2010	15,457	−1.4%
2020 (est.)	15,557	0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Burnett County

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,674 people, 6,613 households, and 4,503 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 12,582 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.25% White, 0.36% Black or African American, 4.45% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.9% were of German, 15.4% Swedish, 12.8% Norwegian and 6.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 6,613 households, out of which 25.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 28.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.30 males.

Communities

Burnett County is one of only three Wisconsin counties that have no incorporated cities. It is the only Wisconsin county to have villages but no cities.