Washburn County, WI Property Records
Property records in Washburn, Wisconsin document important information about real estate within the city, including parcel ownership, legal descriptions, property boundaries, assessed values, tax history, transfers, deeds, mortgages, easements, and related land records. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, homeowners, researchers, attorneys, and real estate professionals who need to verify ownership, review property taxes, confirm lot details, or research a property’s history.
Official Washburn property records are maintained through local and county government offices, including Bayfield County land records and the City of Washburn assessor or clerk-related resources. Users can access official parcel, tax, and land record information through Bayfield County’s online property records search, or contact the appropriate county or city office for certified copies, recording information, and assessment details.
Washburn County, WI Property Records & Statistics
Washburn County combines modest rents with above-average home values. The median rent is $793, below the Wisconsin median of $814 and the national $840.25. Renter-occupied housing is only 12.71% of occupied homes, compared with 18.62% in the state and 21.81% nationally, so most residents own and the rental market is small.
The median home value of $213,500 is higher than the state figure of $194,600 and the national median of $173,750. Property taxes are comparatively light for Wisconsin: the county's median property tax rate of 1.05% is well under the state's 1.47%, though still above the national 0.74%. That helps owners in a county where homes cost more than the state average.
Median household income is $59,732, below Wisconsin's $67,963.50 and the national $65,108, so home values run ahead of typical earnings. The unemployment rate, however, is just 1.35%, much lower than the state's 1.86% and the national 2.87%, suggesting steady local employment even with lower incomes.
In sum, Washburn County is an owner-heavy market with higher home values, lighter-than-state taxes, below-average incomes, and very low unemployment.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Washburn
Washburn County's property records include tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. The county has 31,928 total parcels, including 5,762 residential and 47 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 76.78% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 30,301 deeds and 9,564 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 5,678 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 31,928 |
| Residential Parcels | 5,762 |
| Commercial Parcels | 47 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 76.78% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 30,301 |
| Mortgage Records | 9,564 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 5,678 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 183 |
How to Search Washburn County, WI Property Records
Washburn County property records are recorded by the Register of Deeds in Shell Lake. The office holds deeds recorded from January 3, 2006, through July 31, 2025, covering a county with 31,928 parcels.
The Washburn County Register of Deeds page gives an overview of the office's services. To search records online, use the Washburn County records search. If you are submitting documents for recording, the county's eRecording information page explains the electronic option, and the Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association forms page offers standard forms.
For a basic search, enter an owner's name, an address, or a parcel detail into the search tool and look through the results. Open the matching record and compare the legal description to confirm it is the right property. Working backward through earlier owners can reveal the history of a parcel.
Visit the office at 10 4th Avenue, Shell Lake, WI 54871, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or call 715-468-4616.
Washburn Registrar of Deeds
The Washburn County Probate Office is located at 10 4th Avenue, Shell Lake, WI, 54871 and can be reached at 715-468-4616. Office hours are Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Records can be accessed through tax.co.washburn.wi.us or the official website co.washburn.wi.us.
Washburn County Register of Deeds
Washburn County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Washburn County property records by address?
Use the Washburn County records search and enter the property address or the owner's name. If an address search comes up empty, try fewer words or search by owner. The Register of Deeds at 715-468-4616 can also help you locate a record.
How can I find property owners in Washburn County?
Owner names appear in the county records search and on recorded deeds. Look up the property in the records search and review the most recent record. For a recorded transfer, the Register of Deeds at 10 4th Avenue in Shell Lake can help on weekdays.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Washburn County?
Assessment data for the county reflects the 2024 assessment year and was last updated February 28, 2025. Wisconsin assessments are set by local assessors for each town, village, or city, so check with the municipality where the property sits. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue explains how assessments work.
Where can I find Washburn County property tax bills and payment records?
The county's records search is a good starting point for property information tied to tax records. Bills themselves are issued by the local town, village, or city treasurer. Contact the treasurer where the property is located, or call the Register of Deeds at 715-468-4616 for direction.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Washburn County?
Recorded deeds, mortgages, and related documents are kept by the Register of Deeds. Use the county records search or visit the Register of Deeds page. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Where can I access Washburn County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel mapping is usually handled by a county land records or GIS office. Call the Register of Deeds at 715-468-4616 to ask which office provides parcel maps. Legal descriptions found on recorded documents help match a deed to a parcel shown on a map.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Washburn County?
Building permits and zoning are generally handled by the local town, village, or city and by county offices in some rural areas. Contact the local office before starting a project. If you are unsure which applies, the Register of Deeds at 715-468-4616 can point you toward the right office.
How can I create a list of property owners in Washburn County?
The online search is designed for one property or name at a time, so building a list means searching each parcel in the county records search and noting the owner. For larger needs, call the Register of Deeds at 715-468-4616 to ask about copies or bulk records.