Adjacent counties

• Ashland County – east
• Sawyer County – south
• Washburn County – southwest
• Douglas County – west
• Lake County, Minnesota – north

Major highways

Buses

• Bay Area Rural Transit
• Indian Trails
• List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin

Airport

Cable Union Airport (FAA LID: 3CU) serves Bayfield County and the surrounding communities.

National protected areas

• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (part)
• Chequamegon National Forest (part)
• Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge

2020 census

As of the census of 2020,^[11] the population was 16,220. The population density was 11.0 people per square mile (4.2 people/km²). There were 13,238 housing units at an average density of 9.0 units per square mile (3.5 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.2% White, 10.5% Native American, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 5.2% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 15,014 people living in the county. 86.7% were White, 9.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% of some other race and 2.9% of two or more races. 1.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

As of the census^[12] of 2000, there were 15,013 people, 6,207 households, and 4,276 families living in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km²). There were 11,640 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.46% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 9.39% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.3% were of German, 10.4% Norwegian, 8.4% Swedish, 6.1% Irish, 5.9% Polish, 5.7% Finnish and 5.0% English ancestry. 96.8% spoke English as their first language.

There were 6,207 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 28.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.70 males.

In 2017, there were 116 births, giving a general fertility rate of 66.6 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 23rd highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties.^[13] Additionally, there were fewer than five reported induced abortions performed on women of Bayfield County residence in 2017.^[14]

Cities

• Ashland (mostly in Ashland County)
• Bayfield
• Washburn (county seat)

Village

• Mason

Towns

Census-designated places

• Cable
• Cornucopia
• Drummond
• Grand View
• Herbster
• Iron River
• Port Wing

Unincorporated communities