Lincoln County is a county in Wisconsin, United States, in the north-central part of the state. It had a population of 28,415 at the 2020 census and covers 907 square miles (2,350 km2) centred near 45°20′N 89°44′W.
Merrill is the county seat, and its postal code is 54452. Lincoln County has two incorporated cities, two incorporated villages, and more than a dozen unincorporated communities and civil towns. The county observes Central time.
Towns & Villages in Lincoln County
Lincoln County’s settled places split into two incorporated cities (Merrill and Tomahawk), two incorporated villages (Gleason and Irma), and a wider scatter of unincorporated communities across the county’s civil towns. CDP stands for census-designated place; Unincorp. covers unincorporated communities without their own municipal government.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrill | City · seat | — | 54452 |
| Tomahawk | City | — | 54487 |
| Gleason | Village | — | 54435 |
| Irma | Village | — | 54442 |
| Heafford Junction | Unincorp. | — | 54532 |
| Bloomville | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| Bradley | Unincorp. | — | 54487 |
| Bundy | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| Clifford | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| Doering | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| Dudley | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| Dutch Corners | Unincorp. | — | 54487 |
| Gilbert | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| Harrison | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| Jeffris | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| Jersey City | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| McCord | Unincorp. | — | 54487 |
| Otis | Unincorp. | — | 54487 |
| Pine River | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
| Spirit Falls | Unincorp. | — | 54487 |
| Tripoli | Unincorp. | — | 54532 |
| West Kraft | Unincorp. | — | 54452 |
ZIP Codes
- 54452 — Merrill (also serves most of the county’s southern and central unincorporated communities)
- 54487 — Tomahawk (also serves the county’s northeastern communities)
- 54435 — Gleason
- 54442 — Irma
- 54532 — Heafford Junction (PO Box service only)
Most of the small unincorporated places listed above have no post office of their own and use the ZIP code of the nearest larger community.
Geography
Lincoln County sits in Wisconsin’s Northern Highland, a glaciated landscape of pine and hardwood forest dotted with lakes and wetlands. The Wisconsin River runs south through the county, passing directly through Merrill and Tomahawk, and the Tomahawk River and Spirit River add further water surface to the county’s roughly 28 square miles of lakes and streams.
Lincoln County borders Oneida County to the north, Langlade County to the east, Marathon County to the south, Taylor County to the west, and Price County to the northwest.
Demographics
Lincoln County had 28,415 residents at the 2020 census, spread across 879 square miles of land for a density of about 32 people per square mile — well below the statewide average, reflecting the county’s rural, forested character. Merrill and Tomahawk are the county’s two largest communities. For comparison, the statewide Wisconsin median household income is $74,631.
Economy & Local Life
Forestry, wood and paper products, and healthcare anchor the local economy, alongside tourism drawn by the county’s lakes and rivers. Merrill is home to Church Mutual Insurance Company, a major regional employer, and Ascension health system operates a hospital in the city. Tomahawk, at the confluence of the Tomahawk and Wisconsin rivers, grew up around lumber milling and today draws boaters and anglers in summer and snowmobilers in winter.
History
Lincoln County was organized in 1875 and named for President Abraham Lincoln, ten years after his assassination. Merrill grew rapidly in the late 19th century as a sawmill town on the Wisconsin River, floating logs downstream from the surrounding pineries. Between 1964 and 2016, Lincoln County backed the winning candidate in every U.S. presidential election except 1988, a run that made it a closely watched bellwether county in state and national politics.
Getting There
US Route 51 runs north–south through the county connecting Merrill and Tomahawk, and US Route 8 crosses the northern part of the county; Wisconsin Highways 17, 64, 86, and 107 provide local connections.
- Wausau — about 15 miles south
- Rhinelander — about 30 miles north
- Antigo — about 25 miles east
- Wisconsin Rapids — about 55 miles south
Merrill Municipal Airport and Tomahawk Regional Airport handle general aviation. The nearest commercial airport is Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee, roughly 25 miles south of Merrill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lincoln County, Wisconsin?
It is in the north-central part of Wisconsin, along the Wisconsin River, roughly 15 miles north of Wausau.
What is the population of Lincoln County?
28,415 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Lincoln County?
907 square miles (2,350 km2), including 879 square miles of land and 28 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Lincoln County?
Merrill is the county seat.
How many towns and villages are in Lincoln County?
Two incorporated cities (Merrill and Tomahawk), two incorporated villages (Gleason and Irma), and about 18 smaller unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Lincoln County?
54452 (Merrill), 54487 (Tomahawk), 54435 (Gleason), 54442 (Irma), and 54532 (Heafford Junction).
Why is Lincoln County named that?
It was organized in 1875 and named for President Abraham Lincoln.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Wisconsin.