Burnett County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,526. Its county seat is Siren, with the majority of county governmental services located at the Burnett County Government Center. The county was created in 1856 and organized in 1865. The St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin have reservation lands in Burnett County and are the county's largest employer.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 880 square miles (2,300 km), of which 872 square miles (2,260 km) is land and 58 square miles (150 km) (6.6%) is water. Saginaw Lake is located in the county, south of the Namekagon River.

• Douglas County – northeast
• Washburn County – east
• Barron County – southeast
• Polk County – south
• Chisago County, Minnesota – southwest
• Pine County, Minnesota – west

• Highway 35 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 48 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 70 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 77 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 87 (Wisconsin)

• Burnett County Airport (KRZN) serves the county and surrounding communities.
• Grantsburg Municipal Airport (KGTG) enhances county service.

• Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (part)

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	12		—
1870	706		5,783.3%
1880	3,140		344.8%
1890	4,393		39.9%
1900	7,478		70.2%
1910	9,026		20.7%
1920	10,735		18.9%
1930	10,233		−4.7%
1940	11,382		11.2%
1950	10,236		−10.1%
1960	9,214		−10.0%
1970	9,276		0.7%
1980	12,340		33.0%
1990	13,084		6.0%
2000	15,674		19.8%
2010	15,457		−1.4%
2020	16,526		6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020

As of the census of 2020, the population was 16,526. The population density was 20.1 people per square mile (7.8 people/km). There were 15,201 housing units at an average density of 18.5 units per square mile (7.1 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 89.3% White, 4.4% Native American, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,674 people, 6,613 households, and 4,503 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7.3 people/km). There were 12,582 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 93.25% White, 0.36% Black or African American, 4.45% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.9% were of German, 15.4% Swedish, 12.8% Norwegian and 6.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 6,613 households, out of which 25.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 28.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.30 males.

In 2017, there were 118 births, giving a general fertility rate of 58.5 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 23rd lowest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Additionally, there were no reported induced abortions performed on women of Burnett County residence in 2017.

Burnett County is one of only three Wisconsin counties that have no incorporated cities. It is the only Wisconsin county to have villages but no cities.

• Grantsburg
• Siren (seat)
• Webster

• Danbury

United States presidential election results for Burnett County, Wisconsin

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	6,462	63.72%	3,569	35.19%	110	1.08%
2016	5,410	61.91%	2,949	33.75%	379	4.34%
2012	4,550	52.44%	3,986	45.94%	141	1.62%
2008	4,200	48.34%	4,337	49.92%	151	1.74%
2004	4,743	50.89%	4,499	48.27%	79	0.85%
2000	3,967	48.67%	3,626	44.49%	558	6.85%
1996	2,452	34.20%	3,625	50.56%	1,092	15.23%
1992	2,340	31.47%	3,172	42.66%	1,924	25.87%
1988	2,884	44.61%	3,537	54.71%	44	0.68%
1984	3,528	51.01%	3,331	48.16%	57	0.82%
1980	3,027	44.81%	3,200	47.37%	528	7.82%
1976	2,573	39.93%	3,720	57.74%	150	2.33%
1972	2,972	54.37%	2,389	43.71%	105	1.92%
1968	2,056	45.81%	2,010	44.79%	422	9.40%
1964	1,536	34.42%	2,921	65.45%	6	0.13%
1960	2,483	54.03%	2,095	45.58%	18	0.39%
1956	2,198	52.36%	1,986	47.31%	14	0.33%
1952	2,683	60.43%	1,741	39.21%	16	0.36%
1948	1,590	40.78%	2,177	55.83%	132	3.39%
1944	2,119	52.72%	1,868	46.48%	32	0.80%
1940	2,510	49.17%	2,513	49.23%	82	1.61%
1936	1,422	31.88%	2,801	62.80%	237	5.31%
1932	1,281	33.42%	2,437	63.58%	115	3.00%
1928	2,742	74.71%	880	23.98%	48	1.31%
1924	958	30.34%	76	2.41%	2,124	67.26%
1920	2,025	79.57%	187	7.35%	333	13.08%
1916	1,007	53.97%	638	34.19%	221	11.84%
1912	403	26.74%	305	20.24%	799	53.02%
1908	1,181	72.19%	296	18.09%	159	9.72%
1904	1,262	86.50%	82	5.62%	115	7.88%
1900	1,112	80.23%	218	15.73%	56	4.04%
1896	800	67.51%	349	29.45%	36	3.04%
1892	406	56.70%	55	7.68%	255	35.61%

• Burnett County Airport
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Burnett County, Wisconsin
• USS Burnett County (LST-512)

• Peet, Ed. L. Burnett County, Wisconsin: A Pamphlet Descriptive of Northern Wisconsin in General and of Burnett County in Detail. Grantsburg, Wis.: Burnett County Board of Immigration, 1902.

• Burnett County government website
• Old maps: 1878 1901 1915 plat
• Burnett County map from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
• Brief History of Burnett County
• Fort Folle Avoine Historical Park

45°52′N 92°22′W / 45.87°N 92.37°W / 45.87; -92.37