Relocation to Minocqua, Arbor Vitae, or Woodruff

Population, Geography and Weather

The Minocqua - Arbor Vitae - Woodruff area is also known as the Lakeland area for its large concentration of sparkling freshwater lakes. In fact, our area ranks as having one of the largest concentrations of freshwater bodies in the world, with more than 3,200 lakes, streams and ponds in Vilas and Oneida Counties.

The three towns are contiguous with a combined population of approximately 10,000. The land in the three townships is heavily forested, a great percentage of which is government owned and managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In fact, the Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest is the largest in the State of Wisconsin.

The average winter daytime temperature is 18 degrees with an average of 65 inches of snowfall. The average summer temperature is 81 degrees with an average rainfall of 24 inches.

Education and Healthcare

One high school, four area grade schools, one private/parochial and several preschools provide quality education. Rhinelander’s Nicolet Area Technical College has an extension in Minocqua.

The medical services community employs in excess of 1,000 people. Area healthcare includes a 65,000-square-foot branch of the Marshfield Clinic, as well as the 99-bed Howard Young Medical Center/Hospital, which is an affiliate of Ministry Health Care and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Economy and Recreation

The economy is heavily dependent on four-season tourism. Approximately 1,500 motel/hotel rooms are available in the area, as well as numerous cottages and resorts. Our area affords vacationers and residents the enjoyment of a full range of watersport activities, including world-class fishing, boating, swimming, waterskiing and scuba diving.

In the winter, our premier snowmobile and cross country ski trails are second to none. In fall, you can’t beat the vivid colors of the Lakeland area.

Hiking and biking trails abound, providing three seasons of fun. In addition, sixteen public golf courses are within a 30-mile radius of the area, as well as public parks, tennis courts, one private country club and lots of unique attractions.

The hourly wage rate ranges from $5.15 for unskilled labor to $12.44 for skilled/managerial. The local net effective property tax rate/$1,000 of full or market value ranges from approximately $14.93 to $28.

Services and Shopping

Three volunteer fire departments, two local police departments and county sheriff departments service the area.

Three grocery stores, a health food store and numerous convenience stores offer reasonably priced, full lines of products. We have one national discount chain store, one national variety chain store and several lumber, hardware and specialty stores which support the building trades. Unique retail shops, art galleries and antique stores provide an interesting shopping experience, attracting shoppers from a 60-mile radius.

The Minocqua-Arbor Vitae-Woodruff area has two historical museums (three more exist within 20 miles), one library, five banks, one credit union, one local AM/FM radio station and one twice weekly newspaper. The area has access to three network television broadcasts, public access and cable television.

Worship

The Minocqua, Arbor Vitae and Woodruff area supports 22 churches, representing more than a dozen denominations. An additional 26 churches are situated in nearby surrounding communities.

Transportation

A local airport, the Noble F. Lee Field in Arbor Vitae, accommodates primarily private aircraft. The Rhinelander/Oneida County Airport, 30 miles east of Woodruff, provides commercial air service. The primary source of available public transportation is two taxi services.

Seniors

A growing retirement Community Senior Center has more than 1,200 members.