Moving to Ashland, Wisconsin

The current estimated population of Ashland, Wisconsin, is 7,880, with approximately 49% male and 51% female. The population has remained stable, reflecting the town’s role as a regional center on Lake Superior.

City Facts

  • Year Founded: 1872
  • County Affiliated: Ashland County
  • Land Area: 13.7 square miles
  • Population Density: 575 people per square mile
  • Area Code: 715
  • Zip Codes: 54806

Geography and Location

Ashland, Wisconsin, is located in northern Wisconsin, on the southern shore of Lake Superior, within Ashland County. The town serves as a hub for the surrounding rural areas and has a strong connection to the lake through its maritime history. Ashland experiences a humid continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and mild summers, common to the Great Lakes region. The surrounding geography includes forests, lakes, and rolling hills, with the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore located nearby, offering opportunities for boating, hiking, and camping. Ashland’s economy is based on tourism, small manufacturing, and services, with the town’s waterfront area attracting visitors and residents alike. Ashland’s scenic beauty, outdoor recreation options, and close-knit community make it a desirable place to live in northern Wisconsin.

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.4 years
Median household income: $30,853
Median house value: $64,000

Population by Race

Races in Ashland:

  • White Non-Hispanic (89.6%)
  • American Indian (8.0%)
  • Two or more races (2.2%)
  • Hispanic (1.4%)

Ancestries: German (29.5%), Norwegian (12.2%), Polish (12.0%), Swedish (11.8%), Irish (10.9%), English (7.0%).

Elevation: 671 feet

Land area: 13.4 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Ashland

  • High school or higher: 84.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.4%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 7.6%
  • Unemployed: 8.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 11.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Ashland city

  • Never married: 30.4%
  • Now married: 48.3%
  • Separated: 1.4%
  • Widowed: 10.3%
  • Divorced: 9.6%

1.3% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -97 (-1.1%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Ashland:

  • MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER INC (1615 MAPLE LANE)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Ashland:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Ashland:

  • GOGEBIC-IRON COUNTY (about 54 miles; IRONWOOD, MI; Abbreviation: IWD)
  • DULUTH INTL (about 92 miles; DULUTH, MN; Abbreviation: DLH)
  • RHINELANDER-ONEIDA COUNTY (about 119 miles; RHINELANDER, WI; Abbreviation: RHI)

Other public-use airports nearest to Ashland:

  • JOHN F KENNEDY MEMORIAL (about 5 miles; ASHLAND, WI; Abbreviation: ASX)
  • MADELINE ISLAND (about 17 miles; LA POINTE, WI; Abbreviation: 4R5)
  • CABLE UNION (about 37 miles; CABLE, WI; Abbreviation: 3CU)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Ashland:

  • NORTHLAND COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 738; Location: 1411 ELLIS AVE; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.northland.edu)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Ashland:

  • UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-DULUTH (about 84 miles; DULUTH, MN; Full-time enrollment: 8,224)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR (about 85 miles; SUPERIOR, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,436)
  • LAKE SUPERIOR COLLEGE (about 92 miles; DULUTH, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,512)
  • WISCONSIN INDIANHEAD TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 96 miles; Shell Lake, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,045)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE (about 131 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 9,866)
  • CHIPPEWA VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 131 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,601)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT (about 139 miles; MENOMONIE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 7,183)

Schools

Public high school in Ashland:

  • ASHLAND HI (Students: 809; Location: 1900 BEASER AVE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Ashland:

  • CELEBRATION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 23; Location: PO BOX 651; Grades: PK – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Ashland:

  • ASHLAND MID (Students: 492; Location: 203 11TH ST E; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • LAKE SUPERIOR PRIMARY (Students: 412; Location: 1101 BINSFIELD RD; Grades: PK – 02)
  • LAKE SUPERIOR INTERMEDIATE (Students: 404; Location: 1101 BINSFIELD RD; Grades: 03 – 05)
  • MARENGO VALLEY EL (Students: 169; Location: RR 4 BOX 211; Grades: KG – 06)

Private primary/middle schools in Ashland:

  • OUR LADY OF THE LAKE SCHOOL (Students: 187; Location: 215 EAST LAKESHORE DRIVE; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ZION LUTHERAN CRHISTIAN SCH (Students: 13; Location: 1111 11TH AVE PO BOX 31; Grades: KG – 8)
  • ASHLAND 7TH DAY ADVENTIST SCH (Students: 6; Location: 622 10TH AVE W; Grades: 3 – 8)

Libraries

Library in Ashland:

  • VAUGHN PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $384,821; Location: 502 W. MAIN ST.; 29,767 books; 1,396 audio materials; 1,354 video materials; 156 serial subscriptions)