Bayfield is a city in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 584 at the 2020 census.[3] This makes it the city with the smallest population in Wisconsin. In fact, for a new city to be incorporated today, state regulations require a population of at least 1,000 residents, so it would have to be incorporated as a village instead.[4]
Wisconsin Highway 13 serves as a main route in the community. It is a former county seat, lumbering town, and commercial fishing community, which today is a tourist and resort destination. There are many restaurants, hotels, bed & breakfast establishments, specialty shops, and marine services. The local Chamber of Commerce refers to Bayfield as the "Gateway to the Apostle Islands".[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.87 square miles (2.25 km2), of which, 0.86 square miles (2.23 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[10]
As of the census of 2020,[3] the population was 584. The population density was 678.3 inhabitants per square mile (261.9/km2). There were 458 housing units at an average density of 531.9 per square mile (205.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 80.1% White, 11.0% Native American, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 7.5% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 487 people in 261 households, including 130 families, in the city. The population density was 566.3 inhabitants per square mile (218.6/km2). There were 482 housing units at an average density of 560.5 per square mile (216.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.8% White, 0.2% African American, 14.8% Native American, 1.0% Asian, and 6.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8%.[14]
Of the 261 households, 16.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 50.2% were non-families. 44.1% of households were one person and 18.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.87 and the average family size was 2.58.
The median age was 53.2 years. 15.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.6% were from 25 to 44; 36% were from 45 to 64; 26.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 611 people in 289 households, including 167 families, in the city. The population density was 703.3 people per square mile (271.2/km2). There were 403 housing units at an average density of 463.8 per square mile (178.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 76.92% White, 0.65% Black or African American, 15.22% Native American, 1.31% from other races, and 5.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49%.[15] 10.5% were of American, 10.1% German, 9.4% Norwegian, 8.1% Irish, 7.4% Swedish and 5.4% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
Of the 289 households, 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 41.9% were non-families. 35.6% of households were one person and 15.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.64.
The age distribution was 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 33.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% 65 or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median household income was $32,266 and the median family income was $36,500. Males had a median income of $34,375 versus $25,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,377. About 10.5% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Bayfield Maritime Museum
The city of Bayfield is known in the Anishinaabe language as Oshki-oodena ("New-town"), as opposed to Superior, Wisconsin, which is known as Gete-oodena ("Old-town"), in reference to the Ojibwa migration.
The Bayfield Maritime Museum and Bayfield Heritage Museum are the city's two museums. There are several art galleries. Nearby is the 950 seats all-canvas tent theater known as Big Top Chautauqua which during its summer season has hosted such entertainers as Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett.[16]
Bayfield's annual Apple Fest draws about 60,000 visitors during the first weekend in October. Popular summertime events include the Bayfield Race Week regatta, held during the week of the 4th of July, and the Festival of Arts and Gallery Tour, which takes place the third weekend of July. It features artists from across the midwest, along with tours and demos at a diverse array of local galleries.
Recreation
Emily Larson - 2007 Apostle Island Sled Dog Race
The Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race takes place the first weekend of February. It is the largest sled dog race in the Midwest, with between 50 and 75 teams competing annually.[17]
^"Station: Bayfield 6 N, WI". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
