Shell Lake, Wisconsin Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Shell Lake, Wisconsin is a small town located in Washburn County in the northwestern part of the state. It is situated on the shores of Shell Lake, a beautiful glacial lake that stretches for 11 miles and provides plenty of recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, camping and more. The town was founded in 1885 and has grown to a population of just over 1,200 people.

The downtown area is filled with charming buildings from the 19th century and many businesses that cater to locals and visitors alike. You can find everything from antique stores to boutiques to restaurants. There’s even an old-fashioned movie theater where you can catch a classic flick or two on weekend nights. The town also offers a few attractions like the Shell Lake Arts Center which hosts artistic events throughout the year including music concerts and art shows.

The surrounding countryside offers plenty of outdoor activities for nature lovers as well. The vast forests are home to many species of wildlife including deer, bear and waterfowl while several lakes provide opportunities for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. There are also plenty of hiking trails with stunning views of the lake and its surrounding area as well as spots for birdwatching or wildlife photography.

Shell Lake is also home to some unique attractions like its annual Summerfest celebration which includes parades, games, food vendors and more while its Winter Carnival features ice skating competitions on frozen Shell Lake as well as sleigh rides through snow-covered streets.

Overall, Shell Lake is an excellent destination for those looking for small-town charm combined with outdoor recreation opportunities in one convenient location. From historic downtown buildings to beautiful natural scenery there’s something here for everyone – whether it’s soaking up some sunshine on the lake or exploring nature’s beauty along one of its many trails – making it an ideal spot for a relaxing getaway or even a permanent home.

Population: 1,309. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,372 (+4.8% change)
Males: 596 (45.5%), Females: 713 (54.5%)

Washburn County

Zip code: 54871

Demographics

Median resident age: 47.0 years
Median household income: $33,073
Median house value: $85,400

Population by Race

Races in Shell Lake:

  • White Non-Hispanic (97.8%)
  • Hispanic (1.0%)
  • American Indian (0.8%)
  • Two or more races (0.8%)

Ancestries: German (37.8%), Norwegian (15.4%), Irish (9.7%), English (9.6%), Swedish (9.6%), United States (5.4%).

Elevation: 1250 feet

Land area: 6.2 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Shell Lake

  • High school or higher: 81.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 7.3%
  • Unemployed: 4.5%
  • Mean travel time to work: 21.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Shell Lake city

  • Never married: 18.2%
  • Now married: 59.7%
  • Separated: 1.3%
  • Widowed: 11.0%
  • Divorced: 9.7%

1.1% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +145 (+12.5%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Shell Lake:

  • INDIANHEAD MEDICAL CTR SHELL LAKE (113 4TH AVE PO BOX 300)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Shell Lake:

  • SPOONER HEALTH SYSTEM 84 (about 9 miles; SPOONER, WI)
  • CUMBERLAND MEM HSPTL EXTENDED CARE (about 16 miles; CUMBERLAND, WI)
  • LAKEVIEW MEDICAL CENTER (about 20 miles; RICE LAKE, WI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Shell Lake:

  • CHIPPEWA VALLEY REGIONAL (about 68 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Abbreviation: EAU)
  • DULUTH INTL (about 78 miles; DULUTH, MN; Abbreviation: DLH)
  • MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL INTL/WOLD-CHAMBERLAIN/ (about 108 miles; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Abbreviation: MSP)

Other public-use airports nearest to Shell Lake:

  • SHELL LAKE MUNI (about 2 miles; SHELL LAKE, WI; Abbreviation: SSQ)
  • CUMBERLAND MUNI (about 17 miles; CUMBERLAND, WI; Abbreviation: UBE)
  • BARRON MUNI (about 24 miles; BARRON, WI; Abbreviation: 9Y7)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Shell Lake:

  • WISCONSIN INDIANHEAD TECHNICAL COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 2,045; Location: 505 Pine Ridge Drive; Public; Website: www.witc.tec.wi.us)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Shell Lake:

  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT (about 60 miles; MENOMONIE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 7,183)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR (about 67 miles; SUPERIOR, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,436)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE (about 73 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 9,866)
  • CHIPPEWA VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 73 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,601)
  • UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-DULUTH (about 75 miles; DULUTH, MN; Full-time enrollment: 8,224)
  • LAKE SUPERIOR COLLEGE (about 77 miles; DULUTH, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,512)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS (about 78 miles; RIVER FALLS, WI; Full-time enrollment: 5,491)

Schools

Public high school in Shell Lake:

  • SHELL LAKE JR/SR HI (Students: 285; Location: 271 HIGHWAY 63; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Shell Lake:

  • SHELL LAKE EL (3-6) (Students: 177; Location: 271 HIGHWAY 63; Grades: 03 – 06)
  • SHELL LAKEPRIMARY (K-2) (Students: 138; Location: 271 HIGHWAY 63; Grades: PK – 02)

Libraries

Library in Shell Lake:

  • SHELL LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $73,021; Location: 501 1ST STREET; 13,340 books; 591 audio materials; 456 video materials; 56 serial subscriptions)