Total enrollment
1,540
+16 (+1%) vs SY 2017-18
Bayfield County
Wisconsin · Public K-12
Bayfield County's public schools, 12 in all, serve approximately 1,540 K-12 students inside Wisconsin, with Washburn School District the largest district by enrollment. The level mix is 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools.
7-year change in Bayfield County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
12
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
12
5 districts
Enrollment
1,540
NCES CCD
Median income
$71,151
Below Wisconsin avg
Free/reduced lunch
44.9%
Above Wisconsin avg
Elementary
5
827 students
Middle
3
229 students
High
4
484 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Washburn School District
547 students · 5 districts in Bayfield County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Bayfield County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
35.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.6%
civilian labor
Median age
55
16.3% under 18
Test scores in Bayfield County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Wisconsin state average: 53.1%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Iron River Elementary· 62.2%
- Drummond Elementary· 61.5%
- South Shore Elementary· 61.2%
- Washburn Middle· 60.8%
- Washburn Elementary· 58.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Bayfield Elementary· 9.6%
- Bayfield Middle· 22.5%
- Drummond Junior High· 40.4%
- Washburn Elementary· 58.3%
- Washburn Middle· 60.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn Elementary | Washburn | Elementary | PK-06 | 285 | · |
| Bayfield Elementary | Bayfield | Elementary | PK-05 | 189 | · |
| Washburn High | Washburn | High | 09-12 | 182 | · |
| Drummond Elementary | Drummond | Elementary | PK-06 | 156 | · |
| Bayfield High | Bayfield | High | 09-12 | 119 | · |
| South Shore Elementary | Port Wing | Elementary | PK-06 | 102 | · |
| Bayfield Middle | Bayfield | Middle | 06-08 | 96 | · |
| Iron River Elementary | Iron River | Elementary | PK-05 | 95 | · |
| Drummond High | Drummond | High | 09-12 | 92 | · |
| South Shore Jr/Sr High | Port Wing | High | 07-12 | 91 | · |
| Washburn Middle | Washburn | Middle | 07-08 | 80 | · |
| Drummond Junior High | Drummond | Middle | 07-08 | 53 | · |
Cities in Bayfield County
About Bayfield County
In Wisconsin, Bayfield County is a low-population county of about 16,575 residents. 12 public schools across the county hosts about 1,540 students between them.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $71,151, 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 6%.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Bayfield County consists of 5 elementary schools (827 students), 3 middle schools (229), and 4 high schools (484).
Washburn School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 547 students across Bayfield County.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Bayfield County has remained close to its prior level since SY 2017-18, moving from about 1,524 students to 1,540.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Bayfield County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
Bayfield County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data