Marathon County, Wisconsin: County Profile
County profiles · as of September 19, 2026
Marathon County, created in 1850 with Wausau as its seat, has the largest land area of Wisconsin's 72 counties (1,545.2 square miles) and is the sole county of the Wausau metropolitan area. It counted 138,013 residents at the 2020 Census and a DOA estimate of 140,452 on January 1, 2025, the state's 10th largest. Manufacturing leads its economy at 26.6% of 2023 jobs. The county's own website blocks automated requests, so government details here come from state records and local reporting.
- Claims
- 86
- Verified
- 81
- Flagged
- 5
- Citations
- 35
Flagged in this section 5
The source was re-fetched and states no value for these. They sit at the top, not the bottom, because a gap a reader cannot find is a gap we hid.
The number of supervisory districts on the Marathon County Board could not be confirmed this session. Fetched news coverage names districts numbered up to 23.
A list of Marathon County departments could not be read this session.
The Marathon County Sheriff's Office publishes bulletins through a Police To Citizen public portal.
38 licensed broadcast stations list a Marathon County community of license.
The current number and acreage of Marathon County parks and the Marathon County Forest could not be confirmed this session.
Everything else 81
1 of these was corrected against the source during verification and is marked.
Wausau is the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin.
Marathon (1850) Wausau 12,764,789 139,205 0.86 10 1,545.2 90.1
Marathon County was created in 1850.
Marathon (1850) Wausau
Marathon County was created from a portion of Portage County and originally stretched north to the border with Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
It was founded in 1850, created from a portion of Portage County. At that time the county stretched to the northern border with the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Marathon County is named after the battlefield at Marathon, Greece.
It is named after the battlefield at Marathon, Greece.
Marathon County has 1,545.2 square miles of land area.
Marathon (1850) Wausau 12,764,789 139,205 0.86 10 1,545.2 90.1
Marathon County has the largest land area of Wisconsin's 72 counties.
Marathon (1850) Wausau 12,764,789 139,205 0.86 10 1,545.2 90.1
Marathon County's county government is located at 500 Forest St., Wausau, WI 54403.
Address: 500 Forest St. City: Wausau Zip: 54403
The Queen's Chair on Rib Mountain, at 1,941 feet, is listed as the fourth highest point in Wisconsin.
1,941 ft. at Queen's Chair on Rib Mountain (fourth highest point in Wisconsin)
Wausau sits at an elevation of 1,195 feet.
1,195 ft. at Wausau
Marathon County has 194 lakes covering 19,762 acres (30.88 square miles).
Number of Lakes: 194 Area in Lakes: 19,762 acres (30.88 sq. miles)
USGS GNIS lists 69 named lakes and reservoirs in Marathon County.
feature_class|state_name|state_numeric|county_name
Rivers in Marathon County include the Wisconsin, Big Eau Pleine, Big Rib, Eau Claire, Little Eau Claire, Little Rib, Plover, and Trappe.
Big Eau Pleine, Big Rib, Eau Claire, Little Eau Claire, Little Rib, Plover, Trappe, Wisconsin
Marathon County drains mainly to the Wisconsin River, with a portion of the eastern county draining to the Wolf River and St. Lawrence waterway.
Wisconsin River with a portion of Eastern Marathon County draining to the Wolf River/St. Lawrence Waterway
A Marathon County Park Commission marker identifies the point at 45 degrees north, 90 degrees west, the center of the northern half of the Western Hemisphere.
The Marathon County Park Commission has posted a geographical marker that identifies the spot (45°N, 90°W) of the exact center of the northern half of the Western Hemisphere
Marathon County is the sole central county of the Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 48140), part of the Wausau-Stevens Point-Wisconsin Rapids combined statistical area.
48140 | 554 | Wausau, WI | Metropolitan Statistical Area | Wausau-Stevens Point-Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Marathon County | Wisconsin | 55 | 073 | Central
Marathon County had a population of 138,013 at the 2020 Census.
Marathon | 37 | 55073 | 97457
Marathon County had a final official population estimate of 140,452 as of January 1, 2025.
Final 1/1/2025 Estimate
The Census Bureau estimated Marathon County's July 1, 2024 population at 139,091, from a 2020 estimates base of 138,062.
050,55,073,00000,00000,00000,0,A,Marathon County,Wisconsin,138062,138114,137798,138175,138838,139091
Marathon County had a population of 134,063 at the 2010 Census.
2010 Census
Marathon County had a population of 125,834 at the 2000 Census.
2000 Census
Marathon County had a population of 97,457 at the 1970 Census.
Marathon | 37 | 55073 | 97457
Marathon County had a population of 70,629 in 1930.
1930: 70,629
Marathon County's population grew about 44% between the 1970 Census (97,457) and the January 1, 2025 estimate (140,452).
Marathon | 37 | 55073 | 97457
Marathon County is the 10th most populous county in Wisconsin.
Marathon County is the 10th most populous county in Wisconsin with 139,197 residents.
DOA projects Marathon County's population to fall to 130,380 by 2050, a 5.5% decline from 2020.
Marathon 138,013 136,750 134,615 130,380 -5.5%
DOA projects the share of Marathon County residents aged 65 and older to rise from 18.5% in 2020 to 24.2% in 2050.
the proportion of the population age 65 years and older in Marathon County is predicted to increase from 18.5% to 24.2%
Marathon County's median age is 41.2 (ACS 2019-2023 5-year estimate, margin of error +/-0.3).
0500000US55073|41.2|0.3
The City of Schofield was Marathon County's fastest-growing municipality from 2020 to 2023, adding 117 residents (5.4%).
The fastest-growing municipality in Marathon County is the City of Schofield, which added 117 people, for a 5.4% growth rate.
Asian residents made up 6.2% of Marathon County's population at the 2020 Census.
The racial makeup of the county was 86.9% White , 0.9% Black or African American , 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native , 6.2% Asian
Marathon County contains all or part of six cities: Wausau, Mosinee, and Schofield entirely, and parts of Marshfield, Abbotsford, and Colby.
37201 | C Abbotsford | * | Marathon | 606 | 610
Marathon County contains all or part of 16 villages, including the multi-county villages of Birnamwood, Dorchester, and Unity.
37104 | V Birnamwood | * | Marathon | 16 | 14
Marathon County contains 39 towns.
37084 | T Wien | | Marathon | 886 | 885
The City of Wausau had a 2020 Census population of 39,994 and a January 1, 2025 estimate of 40,571.
37291 | C Wausau | | Marathon | 40571 | 39994
Wausau is a second class city, incorporated in 1872, and was Wisconsin's 18th largest city or village in 2022.
Wausau (Marathon) 39,994 40,199 0.51 18
The Village of Weston, incorporated in 1996, is Marathon County's largest village, with a January 1, 2025 estimate of 15,944.
37192 | V Weston | | Marathon | 15944 | 15723
The Village of Kronenwetter, incorporated in 2002, had a January 1, 2025 estimate of 8,595.
37145 | V Kronenwetter | | Marathon | 8595 | 8353
Rib Mountain is listed as a village in DOA's 2025 estimates, with an estimate of 7,333; its 2020 figure of 7,313 is a DOA approximation because the Census did not count that unit as a village.
Strictly speaking, the 2020 Census did not count these Minor Civil Divisions, but the DSC believes these population figures reflect reasonable approximations.
The Village of Maine incorporated in 2015, making it the most recently incorporated village in Marathon County in the Blue Book's January 2022 table.
Maine 2015 Marathon 2,613 2,621 0.31
The Village of Marathon City incorporated in 1884, the earliest of the villages wholly in Marathon County.
Marathon City 1884 Marathon 1,576 1,565 -0.70
Mosinee incorporated as a city in 1931 and Schofield in 1951.
Mosinee 1931 Marathon
Marathon County's towns were created gradually between 1850 and 1910 as settlement advanced, and a 1964 survey by Calvin Cook for the county Highway Department records the year-by-year changes.
In 1964, Calvin Cook surveyed the historical records to create a year-by-year record of the creation and changes to the Marathon County's townships between 1850, and 1910.
Kurt Gibbs is chair of the Marathon County Board of Supervisors, and Matthew Bootz is vice chair.
Gibbs defended the appointment, saying he and Vice Chair Matthew Bootz reviewed the qualifications together
Lance Leonhard is the Marathon County Administrator.
County Administrator Lance Leonhard answered detailed questions about the county's financial stake
Marathon County Board supervisors serve two-year terms and act as the county's legislative body over the budget, ordinances, and major policy.
County Board members serve two-year terms and act as the county's legislative body, overseeing the county budget, ordinances and major policy decisions
The Marathon County Board's Sept. 17, 2026 meeting was scheduled in the Assembly Room of the Marathon County Courthouse, where its June 18, 2026 meeting was also held.
The board's next meeting is a combined educational and voting session at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Assembly Room of the Marathon County Courthouse.
The Marathon County Board adopted Comprehensive Plan 2026 in March 2026, a document to guide land use, housing, economic development, energy, and government operations for 10 to 20 years.
Comprehensive Plan 2026, a policy document that will guide county decisions on land use, housing, economic development, energy and government operations for the next 10 to 20 years.
Marathon County's financial involvement with rural broadband provider Bug Tussel totals about $33 million: $25 million in 2021 bonds issued on the company's behalf and an $8 million direct loan in December 2024.
the county board agreed to issue $25 million in bonds on the company's behalf
The Marathon County Circuit Court has six judges: Scott M. Corbett, Rick Cveykus, Michael D. Hughes, Michael K. Moran, Suzanne C. O'Neill, and Gregory J. Strasser.
Marathon Corbett, Hon. Scott M. Cveykus, Hon. Rick Hughes, Hon. Michael D. Moran, Hon. Michael K. O'Neill, Hon. Suzanne C. Strasser, Hon. Gregory J.
Chad Billeb is the Marathon County Sheriff.
Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb intends to keep his 10 Flock cameras
The Marathon County Sheriff's Office operates 10 Flock license plate reader cameras under a contract signed April 7, 2022, at a program cost of $26,500 a year.
Marathon County's agreement with Flock, signed April 7, 2022
Marathon County averaged 69,978 jobs in 2023, down 1,344 (-1.9%) from 2018.
Marathon County employment lost 1,344 jobs (-1.9%) from 2018 to 2023. Average employment levels were at 69,978 jobs in 2023.
Manufacturing is Marathon County's largest industry, with 18,609 jobs, or 26.6% of 2023 employment.
The largest industry was manufacturing, accounting for 26.6%
Education and health services employed 13,907 in Marathon County in 2023 (19.9% of jobs), second to manufacturing.
Education and Health Services 13,907 -132 -0.9% 19.9%
Construction was Marathon County's fastest-growing industry from 2018 to 2023, adding 348 jobs (13.5%).
the fastest-growing industry was construction, adding 348 jobs for a 13.5% growth rate
Financial activities employment in Marathon County fell 21.7% from 2018 to 2023, to 4,102 jobs.
Financial Activities 4,102 -1,140 -21.7% 5.9%
Marathon County's average unemployment rate in 2023 was 2.7%, below the statewide 3.0%.
Marathon County's monthly average unemployment rate in 2023 was 2.7%, compared to the state's rate of 3.0%.
Marathon County's labor force participation rate was 65.3% in 2023, down 10.3 points since 2000.
As of 2023, Marathon County's labor force participation rate was 65.3%, ranking 29th in the state.
Marathon County's per capita personal income was $62,407 in 2022 (inflation-adjusted to 2023 dollars).
The per capita personal income (PCPI) in Marathon County was $62,407 in 2022.
SAIPE estimates Marathon County's 2023 median household income at $74,505.
55 73 13122 11137 15107 9.6 8.2 11.0
SAIPE estimates 9.6% of Marathon County residents were in poverty in 2023.
55 73 13122 11137 15107 9.6 8.2 11.0
The ACS 2019-2023 5-year estimate of Marathon County median household income is $76,185 (+/-$2,620).
0500000US55073|76185|2620
The ACS 2019-2023 median value of owner-occupied homes in Marathon County is $205,500 (+/-$4,043).
0500000US55073|205500|4043
County Business Patterns counted 3,436 establishments with 65,770 paid employees in Marathon County in 2023.
"55","073","------","G",65770,"G",921956,"G",3759685,3436
Health care and social assistance had 415 establishments and 10,570 paid employees in Marathon County in 2023.
"55","073","62----","H",10570,"H",189834,"H",797869,415
Marathon County's 2021 full value assessment was about $12.76 billion.
Marathon (1850) Wausau 12,764,789
MCDEVCO (Marathon County Development Corporation) offers GAP financing and micro loans to new and expanding businesses in the county.
MCDEVCO is here to support your new or expanding business with their GAP financing and Micro Loan programs!
The Marathon County Public Library operates a Wausau headquarters at 300 North First Street and branches in Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford.
Wausau Headquarters 300 North First Street Wausau, Wisconsin 54403
Northcentral Technical College started in 1912 as the Wausau Industrial School and today has campuses in Wausau, Antigo, Medford, Phillips, Spencer, and Wittenberg.
The College has six convenient campus locations in Wausau, Antigo, Medford, Phillips, Spencer, and Wittenberg
NTC operates an Agriculture Center of Excellence just north of its Wausau campus in the Village of Maine.
an Agriculture Center of Excellence just north of the Wausau Campus in the Village of Maine
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point operates a branch campus in Wausau, UW-Stevens Point at Wausau.
UW-Stevens Point at Wausau
NCES lists 51 public schools in Marathon County (2023-24).
Marathon County
HRSA lists 9 health center service delivery sites in Marathon County.
Bridge Community Health Clinic Wausau | Wausau | Active | Administrative/Service Delivery Site
Marathon County has 34 distinct properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places (35 records in the NPS listed file).
Maine Site (47MR22) (Boundary Increase)
The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum at 700 N. 12th St. in Wausau charges no admission and presents the annual Birds in Art exhibition.
Always FREE Admission
The Marathon County Parks Commission was established in April 1920 by order of the County Board of Supervisors.
The Marathon County Parks Commission was established in April 1920, by order of the County Board of Supervisors.
Marathon Park, the first county park, took over the 80-acre former county fairgrounds on Wausau's west side in 1921, on condition that the fair continue there.
take over 80 acres on the west side of Wausau, which had previously been the County's fair grounds
The county added Unity Park and Gooding Park near Mosinee in 1922, land at the Dells of the Eau Claire River in 1924, and Cherokee Park in 1926.
In 1922, the Commission arranged to create both Unity Park and Gooding Park.
Marathon Park, 1201 Stewart Ave., Wausau, hosts the Wisconsin Valley Fair; the 2027 fair runs August 3 to 8.
Fair Dates: August 3-8, 2027
Rib Mountain State Park is a day-use DNR property on a billion-year-old hill, and Granite Peak Ski Area operates on the mountain's north face.
This billion-year-old hill is one of the oldest geological formations on earth. Rib Mountain State Park is a premier day-use property
DWD describes Granite Peak as Wisconsin's oldest ski resort and notes Wausau's annual hot air balloon rally, launched in 2002.
Granite Peak, Wisconsin's oldest ski resort, and an annual hot air balloon rally, launched by Steve Woller in 2002
At the 2000 Census, 3.4% of Marathon County residents spoke Hmong as their first language.
92.9% spoke English , 3.4% Hmong , 1.1% German and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.
Sources 35
- 2025 Marathon County Workforce Profile (DETI-17957-MAR-P)
jobcenterofwisconsin.com · state portal · published 2025-05 · read September 19, 2026
- About NTC - Northcentral Technical College
ntc.edu · technical college district · read September 19, 2026
- As election approaches, some Marathon County Board slates remain empty
wausaupilotandreview.com · news · published 2026-01-03 · read September 19, 2026
- Census ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Summary File, Table B01002 (Median Age)
www2.census.gov · census acs · read September 19, 2026
- Census ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Summary File, Table B19013 (Median Household Income)
www2.census.gov · census acs · read September 19, 2026
- Census ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Summary File, Table B25077 (Median Home Value)
www2.census.gov · census acs · read September 19, 2026
- Census SAIPE 2023 State and County Estimates (est23all.txt)
www2.census.gov · census · published 2024-11-27 · read September 19, 2026
- Census/OMB Core Based Statistical Area Delineation File, July 2023 (list1_2023.xlsx)
www2.census.gov · census · published 2023-07 · read September 19, 2026
- County board adopts long-range plan after divisive debate over energy policy
wausaupilotandreview.com · news · published 2026-03-25 · read September 19, 2026
- FCC FM Query, Wisconsin
transition.fcc.gov · federal data · read September 19, 2026
- HRSA Health Center Service Delivery and Look-Alike Sites
data.hrsa.gov · federal data · read September 19, 2026
- Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
lywam.org · museum · read September 19, 2026
- Locations - Marathon County Public Library
mcpl.us · county library · read September 19, 2026
- Marathon County - Wisconsin Counties Association
wicounties.org · association · read September 19, 2026
- Marathon County Board rejects chair's pick to lead Infrastructure Committee
wausaupilotandreview.com · news · published 2026-08-29 · read September 19, 2026
- Marathon County has committed $33 million to Bug Tussel's rural internet. Few are subscribing.
wausaupilotandreview.com · news · published 2026-06-17 · read September 19, 2026
- Marathon County sheriff will keep Flock cameras as more than a dozen Wisconsin agencies drop them
wausaupilotandreview.com · news · published 2026-09-15 · read September 19, 2026
- Marathon County Sheriff's Office - Police To Citizen
marathoncountysheriff.policetocitizen.com · vendor portal · read September 19, 2026
- Marathon County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org · encyclopedia · read September 19, 2026
- marathoncounty.gov (not fetchable)
· county gov · read September 19, 2026
- MCDEVCO
mcdevco.org · economic development · read September 19, 2026
- National Register of Historic Places listed properties (2026-05-22 export)
nps.gov · federal data · read September 19, 2026
- NCES EDGE Public School Geocodes 2023-24
nces.ed.gov · federal data · read September 19, 2026
- Rib Mountain State Park | Wisconsin DNR
dnr.wisconsin.gov · state agency · read September 19, 2026
- The Evolution of the Townships - Marathon County Historical Society
marathoncountyhistory.org · historical society · read September 19, 2026
- The First Decade of the Parks - Marathon County Historical Society
marathoncountyhistory.org · historical society · read September 19, 2026
- Time Series of Final Official Population Estimates and Census Counts for Wisconsin Counties (2025)
doa.wi.gov · state portal · published 2025 · read September 19, 2026
- U.S. Census County Business Patterns 2023 (county)
www2.census.gov · census · read September 19, 2026
- U.S. Census Subcounty Resident Population Estimates 2020-2024
www2.census.gov · census · read September 19, 2026
- USGS GNIS Domestic Names, Wisconsin
prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com · usgs gnis · read September 19, 2026
- UW-Stevens Point at Wausau
uwsp.edu · university · read September 19, 2026
- Wisconsin Blue Book 2023-2024: Population and Political Subdivisions
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · state legislature · published 2023 · read September 19, 2026
- Wisconsin Court System: Circuit court judges
wicourts.gov · state court · read September 19, 2026
- Wisconsin DOA Official Final Population Estimates 2025 (MCD)
doa.wi.gov · state portal · read September 19, 2026
- Wisconsin Valley Fair
wisconsinvalleyfair.com · event organizer · read September 19, 2026
This section, sealed
Its content hash, part of the chain that covers all 151 sections. Change one claim and this number changes.
8fbcb863d2d09d32936fc07fc3a1bbf09b6e4d352bc9ef87c339273dba249c39