Special Interest
Housing in Vilas County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Vilas County averages $847/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the Wisconsin median of $1,087 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 24% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Vilas County FMR Area are $809 for a studio, $814 for 1‑bedroom, $1,016 for 2‑bedroom, $1,218 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,345 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $169 increase for a 2-bedroom in Vilas County shows a 20% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Vilas County was 3.7% in 2024, compared to Wisconsin at 3.0% and the national rate of 4.0%.
