Washburn, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washburn, Wisconsin
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The main street (Bayfield Street / WIS 13) in downtown Washburn
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Location of Washburn in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Bayfield |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.92 sq mi (10.14 km2) |
| • Land | 3.91 sq mi (10.13 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 692 ft (211 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,051 |
| • Density | 524.2/sq mi (202.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
54891
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| Area code(s) | 715 & 534 |
| FIPS code | 55-83525 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1576230 |
Washburn is a city in Wisconsin, a state in the United States. It is the main city, or county seat, of Bayfield County. In 2020, about 2,051 people lived there.
Washburn is located in northern Wisconsin. It sits right on the edge of Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay. The main roads that go through the city are Wisconsin Highway 13 and County Highway C.
Contents
Washburn's Story: A Look Back
Early Visitors and Missions
In 1659, two French explorers, Radisson and Groseilliers, visited this area. They were traveling along the southern shore of Lake Superior.
Later, in 1665, a Jesuit priest named Claude-Jean Allouez started the first French mission in Wisconsin here. He called it "La Pointe du Saint Esprit." In 1669, another famous priest, Father Jacques Marquette, took charge of this mission.
Other important visitors came too. Daniel Greysolon (Du Luth) was here in 1681–1682. In 1693, Pierre-Charles Le Sueur built a special fenced post. A fort with French soldiers was built in 1718. Around 1820, a trading post for the American Fur Company also opened in the area.
How Washburn Began
The city of Washburn itself was started in 1883. It was named after Cadwallader C. Washburn. He was the Republican governor of Wisconsin from 1872 to 1874. Washburn officially became a chartered city in 1904.
Where is Washburn?
Washburn is located at coordinates 46°40′26″N 90°53′51″W.
The United States Census Bureau says the city covers about 6.17 square miles (16.0 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.90 square miles (10.1 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 2.27 square miles (5.9 square kilometers), is water.
People Living in Washburn
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 3,039 | — | |
| 1910 | 3,830 | — | |
| 1920 | 3,707 | −3.2% | |
| 1930 | 2,238 | −39.6% | |
| 1940 | 2,363 | 5.6% | |
| 1950 | 2,070 | −12.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,896 | −8.4% | |
| 1970 | 1,957 | 3.2% | |
| 1980 | 2,080 | 6.3% | |
| 1990 | 2,285 | 9.9% | |
| 2000 | 2,280 | −0.2% | |
| 2010 | 2,117 | −7.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,051 | −3.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Washburn's Population in 2020
In the census of 2020, Washburn had 2,051 people. This means there were about 524 people per square mile. There were 1,059 homes.
Most people in Washburn were White (85.9%). There were also Native American (5.2%), Black or African American (0.6%), and Asian (0.2%) residents. Some people were from other races (1.3%) or from two or more races (6.8%). About 2.9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Washburn's Population in 2010
In the census of 2010, 2,117 people lived in Washburn. There were 934 households and 531 families. The population density was about 543 people per square mile.
About 88.4% of the people were White. Other groups included African American (0.8%), Native American (5.9%), and Asian (0.3%). About 1.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 26.8% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was 45.9 years.
What People Do in Washburn
Past Jobs and Industries
When Washburn first started, its main industry was lumbering. Many sawmills were busy along the waterfront. The city was also a popular place for summer vacations. People especially enjoyed boating and fishing there.
In 1905, the DuPont company opened a factory nearby that made explosives. This factory became a very important place for jobs as the amount of timber (wood) started to run out. However, the DuPont plant closed in 1971. This was a big challenge for the local economy.
Current Economy
Today, Washburn's economy mainly focuses on tourism. Many visitors come to enjoy the area. The city also benefits from being the county seat. This means many county government offices and services are located there.
Getting Around Washburn
Bus service in Washburn is provided by Bay Area Rural Transit.
Washburn's Media
People in Washburn can listen to three radio stations from Ashland: WATW, WBSZ, and WJJH. Television stations come from the Duluth–Superior area. These include KDLH, KBJR, WDSE, and WDIO.
Famous People from Washburn
- Tom Blake, a famous surfer and inventor
- Ted Buffalo, an NFL football player
- Morgan Hamm, a United States gymnast
- Paul Hamm, a United States gymnast
- Hubert H. Peavey, a U.S. Representative
- Willard Ryan, a Green Bay Packers football coach
- Wayne Simoneau, a Minnesota State Representative
Images for kids
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City hall
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Sign
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Ranger station for Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
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A house located in the East Third Street Residential Historic District
See also
In Spanish: Washburn (Wisconsin) para niños
