Richland County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,304. Its county seat is Richland Center. The county was created from the Wisconsin Territory in 1842 and organized in 1850. It is named for the high quality of its soil.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 589 sqmi, of which 586 sqmi is land and 3.1 sqmi (0.5%) is water.

Major highways

Airport

Richland Airport (93C) serves the county and surrounding communities.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,304. The population density was 29.5 /mi2. There were 8,475 housing units at an average density of 14.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 93.4% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,924 people, 7,118 households, and 4,833 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 /mi2. There were 8,164 housing units at an average density of 14 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.39% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.7% were of German, 12.5% Norwegian, 10.3% Irish, 9.5% English and 8.8% American ancestry. 97.1% spoke English, 1.1% German, and 1.1% Spanish as their first language. There were 7,118 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 27.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

Communities

City

Villages

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns/neighborhoods

Politics

Richland County has been a Republican-leaning county for most of its existence, only backing Democratic candidates six times and never giving them a vote share of more than 60%.