Sawyer County, created in 1883 from Ashland and Chippewa counties by state charter, is named after Philetus Sawyer, a Wisconsin Representative and Senator. Hayward is the county seat of Sawyer County.

Population: 2008- 17,117 persons
County owner occupied houses and condos: 5,108
Renter-occupied apartments: 1,532

Land Area: 1,256.42 square miles
Water area: 93.90 square miles
Elevation: 1,198 feet at Hayward, 1801 feet at Meteor Hills
Number of Lakes: 496

Weather:
July is the warmest month - Highest Temp 79o
January is the coolest month- Highest Temp 19o

Sawyer County's historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Wisconsin state average. It is 3.4 times below overall U.S. average.