Most rural counties in Wisconsin

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Wisconsin

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Wisconsin using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Marathon County

- Rural area: 96.9% (1,497 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.1% (48 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,545 square miles
--- #1 largest county in state, #390 nationwide

- Population density: 87.7 people / square mile (135,485 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #2,154 nationwide

#49. Portage County

- Rural area: 96.9% (776 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.1% (25 square miles)
- Total land area: 801 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #1,062 nationwide

- Population density: 88.5 people / square mile (70,822 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #2,164 nationwide

#48. Sauk County

- Rural area: 97.7% (812 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.3% (19 square miles)
- Total land area: 831 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #1,013 nationwide

- Population density: 77.2 people / square mile (64,152 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #2,062 nationwide

#47. Dodge County

- Rural area: 97.9% (857 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.1% (19 square miles)
- Total land area: 876 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #924 nationwide

- Population density: 100.0 people / square mile (87,569 residents)
--- #52 lowest density county in state, #2,252 nationwide

#46. Pierce County

- Rural area: 98.4% (564 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 574 square miles
--- #51 largest county in state, #1,744 nationwide

- Population density: 73.8 people / square mile (42,336 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #2,023 nationwide

#45. Columbia County

- Rural area: 98.4% (754 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (12 square miles)
- Total land area: 766 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #1,136 nationwide

- Population density: 74.9 people / square mile (57,331 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #2,035 nationwide

#44. Waupaca County

- Rural area: 98.5% (736 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 748 square miles
--- #37 largest county in state, #1,180 nationwide

- Population density: 68.2 people / square mile (50,997 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #1,950 nationwide

#43. Dunn County

- Rural area: 98.6% (838 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (12 square miles)
- Total land area: 850 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #980 nationwide

- Population density: 53.0 people / square mile (45,029 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,739 nationwide

#42. Barron County

- Rural area: 98.7% (852 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 863 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #958 nationwide

- Population density: 52.4 people / square mile (45,182 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,730 nationwide

#41. Monroe County

- Rural area: 98.8% (890 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 901 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #847 nationwide

- Population density: 51.2 people / square mile (46,155 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #1,714 nationwide

#40. Lincoln County

- Rural area: 98.8% (869 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 879 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #911 nationwide

- Population density: 31.5 people / square mile (27,687 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #1,258 nationwide

#39. Door County

- Rural area: 98.9% (476 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 482 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #2,153 nationwide

- Population density: 57.3 people / square mile (27,621 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #1,808 nationwide

#38. Douglas County

- Rural area: 98.9% (1,290 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (14 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,304 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #460 nationwide

- Population density: 33.4 people / square mile (43,497 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #1,303 nationwide

#37. Green County

- Rural area: 98.9% (578 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 584 square miles
--- #50 largest county in state, #1,684 nationwide

- Population density: 63.0 people / square mile (36,790 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #1,885 nationwide

#36. Kewaunee County

- Rural area: 99.1% (339 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 343 square miles
--- #66 largest county in state, #2,701 nationwide

- Population density: 59.6 people / square mile (20,398 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #1,843 nationwide

#35. Oneida County

- Rural area: 99.2% (1,104 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,113 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #566 nationwide

- Population density: 31.9 people / square mile (35,480 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,269 nationwide

#34. Marinette County

- Rural area: 99.3% (1,389 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,399 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #431 nationwide

- Population density: 28.8 people / square mile (40,312 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #1,179 nationwide

#33. Shawano County

- Rural area: 99.3% (887 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 893 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #881 nationwide

- Population density: 45.7 people / square mile (40,813 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #1,595 nationwide

#32. Crawford County

- Rural area: 99.3% (567 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 571 square miles
--- #52 largest county in state, #1,773 nationwide

- Population density: 28.3 people / square mile (16,155 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #1,164 nationwide

#31. Grant County

- Rural area: 99.3% (1,139 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,147 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #539 nationwide

- Population density: 45.0 people / square mile (51,570 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,577 nationwide

#30. Green Lake County

- Rural area: 99.3% (347 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 349 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #2,682 nationwide

- Population density: 53.8 people / square mile (18,807 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #1,749 nationwide

#29. Polk County

- Rural area: 99.3% (908 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 914 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #810 nationwide

- Population density: 47.6 people / square mile (43,549 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #1,641 nationwide

#28. Jackson County

- Rural area: 99.5% (982 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 988 square miles
--- #15 largest county in state, #696 nationwide

- Population density: 20.8 people / square mile (20,556 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #922 nationwide

#27. Langlade County

- Rural area: 99.5% (866 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 871 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #936 nationwide

- Population density: 22.0 people / square mile (19,167 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #965 nationwide

#26. Richland County

- Rural area: 99.5% (583 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 586 square miles
--- #49 largest county in state, #1,677 nationwide

- Population density: 29.7 people / square mile (17,408 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #1,203 nationwide

#25. Oconto County

- Rural area: 99.6% (993 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 998 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #684 nationwide

- Population density: 37.9 people / square mile (37,870 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,422 nationwide

#24. Ashland County

- Rural area: 99.6% (1,041 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,045 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #625 nationwide

- Population density: 14.9 people / square mile (15,524 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #732 nationwide

#23. Iowa County

- Rural area: 99.6% (760 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 763 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #1,145 nationwide

- Population density: 31.0 people / square mile (23,632 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #1,238 nationwide

#22. Juneau County

- Rural area: 99.7% (764 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 767 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #1,132 nationwide

- Population density: 34.7 people / square mile (26,603 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,334 nationwide

#21. Trempealeau County

- Rural area: 99.7% (731 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 733 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #1,208 nationwide

- Population density: 40.3 people / square mile (29,525 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #1,477 nationwide

#20. Waushara County

- Rural area: 99.7% (624 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 626 square miles
--- #47 largest county in state, #1,539 nationwide

- Population density: 38.7 people / square mile (24,256 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #1,447 nationwide

#19. Rusk County

- Rural area: 99.7% (911 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 914 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #812 nationwide

- Population density: 15.4 people / square mile (14,074 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #749 nationwide

#18. Vernon County

- Rural area: 99.7% (789 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 792 square miles
--- #32 largest county in state, #1,084 nationwide

- Population density: 38.9 people / square mile (30,759 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,450 nationwide

#17. Taylor County

- Rural area: 99.7% (972 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 975 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #711 nationwide

- Population density: 20.8 people / square mile (20,320 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #924 nationwide

#16. Sawyer County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,255 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,257 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #482 nationwide

- Population density: 13.1 people / square mile (16,477 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #677 nationwide

#15. Iron County

- Rural area: 99.8% (756 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 758 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #1,159 nationwide

- Population density: 7.5 people / square mile (5,679 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #471 nationwide

#14. Washburn County

- Rural area: 99.8% (795 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 797 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #1,074 nationwide

- Population density: 19.7 people / square mile (15,726 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #887 nationwide

#13. Clark County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,209 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,210 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #507 nationwide

- Population density: 28.7 people / square mile (34,668 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #1,174 nationwide

#12. Marquette County

- Rural area: 100.0% (456 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 456 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #2,250 nationwide

- Population density: 33.8 people / square mile (15,380 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,310 nationwide

#11. Pepin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (232 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 232 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #2,949 nationwide

- Population density: 31.3 people / square mile (7,261 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #1,250 nationwide

#10. Adams County

- Rural area: 100.0% (646 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 646 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #1,468 nationwide

- Population density: 31.3 people / square mile (20,208 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #1,249 nationwide

#9. Lafayette County

- Rural area: 100.0% (634 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 634 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #1,511 nationwide

- Population density: 26.3 people / square mile (16,682 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #1,108 nationwide

#8. Vilas County

- Rural area: 100.0% (857 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 857 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #972 nationwide

- Population density: 25.6 people / square mile (21,923 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #1,088 nationwide

#7. Buffalo County

- Rural area: 100.0% (672 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 672 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #1,402 nationwide

- Population density: 19.5 people / square mile (13,087 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #871 nationwide

#6. Burnett County

- Rural area: 100.0% (822 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 822 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #1,030 nationwide

- Population density: 18.7 people / square mile (15,363 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #845 nationwide

#5. Menominee County

- Rural area: 100.0% (358 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 358 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #2,663 nationwide

- Population density: 12.8 people / square mile (4,566 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #668 nationwide

#4. Price County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,254 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,254 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #485 nationwide

- Population density: 10.6 people / square mile (13,351 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #595 nationwide

#3. Bayfield County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,478 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,478 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #408 nationwide

- Population density: 10.2 people / square mile (15,088 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #585 nationwide

#2. Forest County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,014 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,014 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #661 nationwide

- Population density: 8.9 people / square mile (9,003 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #530 nationwide

#1. Florence County

- Rural area: 100.0% (488 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 488 square miles
--- #58 largest county in state, #2,131 nationwide

- Population density: 8.8 people / square mile (4,312 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #529 nationwide

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