Sawyer County Demographics

A map of Sawyer County's Population by Race

Sawyer County, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 18,476, a slight increase from the 18,074 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.9% White, 13.3% Native American/Other, 6.2% Multiracial, 2.4% Hispanic, 0.6% Black, and 0.6% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sawyer County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sawyer is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Wisconsin overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Sawyer County, that probability was 38.7% in 2020 and 38.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sawyer County is ranked the 56th most populous county in Wisconsin, out of 72 counties. Sawyer County was ranked the 56th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Sawyer County's White Population

14,209 residents of Sawyer County, or 76.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sawyer County is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. Sawyer County ranks 67th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sawyer County's White population has grown by an estimated 2.8%. White residents' share of Sawyer County's population has increased from 76.4% to 76.9%.

Sawyer County is less White than neighboring Rusk County (93.1% White), Washburn County (92.4% White), Bayfield County (83.7% White), Price County (93.1% White), and Chippewa County (92.4% White).

Sawyer County's Black Population

107 residents of Sawyer County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sawyer County is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. Sawyer County ranks 45th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sawyer County's Black population has grown by an estimated 11.5%. Black residents' share of Sawyer County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Sawyer County is more Black than neighboring Washburn County (0.2% Black), and Price County (0.1% Black). Sawyer County is less Black than neighboring Rusk County (1.2% Black), Bayfield County (0.7% Black), and Chippewa County (1.4% Black).

Sawyer County's Asian Population

109 residents of Sawyer County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sawyer County is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Sawyer County ranks 54th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sawyer County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 73.0%. Asian residents' share of Sawyer County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Sawyer County is more Asian than neighboring Rusk County (0.4% Asian), Washburn County (0.5% Asian), and Bayfield County (0.4% Asian). Sawyer County is less Asian than neighboring Chippewa County (1.3% Asian).

Sawyer County's Hispanic Population

450 residents of Sawyer County, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sawyer County is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. Sawyer County ranks 57th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sawyer County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 25.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Sawyer County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.4%.

Sawyer County is more Hispanic than neighboring Rusk County (2.1% Hispanic), Washburn County (2.1% Hispanic), Bayfield County (2.1% Hispanic), Price County (1.8% Hispanic), and Chippewa County (2% Hispanic).

Sawyer County's Native American/Other Population

2,453 residents of Sawyer County, or 13.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sawyer County is considerably higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Sawyer County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sawyer County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 15.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sawyer County's population has decreased from 16.1% to 13.3%.

Sawyer County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Rusk County (0.5% Native American/Other), Washburn County (1.2% Native American/Other), Bayfield County (7.7% Native American/Other), Price County (0.8% Native American/Other), and Chippewa County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Sawyer County's Multiracial Population

1,148 residents of Sawyer County, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sawyer County is slightly higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Sawyer County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sawyer County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 39.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Sawyer County's population has increased from 4.6% to 6.2%.

Sawyer County is more Multiracial than neighboring Rusk County (2.8% Multiracial), Washburn County (3.6% Multiracial), Bayfield County (5.4% Multiracial), Price County (3.6% Multiracial), and Chippewa County (2.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.