The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 54546 sells for about $64,950, or $252 per square foot.
Homes take about 120 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $594 a month.
ZIP 54546 — Mellen
The housing market in 54546 is characterized by low inventory and high seasonal demand, keeping prices stable despite limited transaction volume. The market is heavily influenced by the vacation-home sector, which drives higher price points for waterfront properties compared to inland residential lots.
This ZIP is best suited for retirees, vacation-home buyers, and outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize access to lakes and wilderness over proximity to urban employment centers.
Median prices moved sideways 0.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 120 days on market with 8.0 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.5% · poverty 13.6% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 54546, Vilas County WI
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in this rural Vilas County area are significantly lower than national averages, with property crime being the primary concern in this low-density region.
Schools serving the area are part of the North Lakeland and Lakeland Union High School districts, which generally maintain solid academic performance ratings relative to rural Wisconsin standards.
The area faces moderate wildfire risk due to dense forest cover and seasonal flood risks near the Manitowish Chain of Lakes, requiring standard regional insurance coverage.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by seasonal tourism and outdoor recreation, with limited industrial or corporate development occurring within the immediate ZIP code.
Property taxes are assessed at the municipal level in Vilas County, with rates influenced by local school district levies and town-specific mill rates.
Commutes are primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling to nearby hubs like Minocqua or Rhinelander for employment and major services.
The area is a premier destination for water sports, fishing, and boating on the Manitowish Chain of Lakes, complemented by extensive snowmobile and hiking trail networks.
The rental market is heavily skewed toward seasonal and short-term vacation rentals, resulting in limited long-term housing availability for year-round residents.
The local economy is heavily reliant on the tourism and hospitality sectors, with small-scale retail and service businesses supporting the seasonal population.
Public transit is non-existent; the area relies entirely on private vehicle travel via state highways.
Development is strictly regulated to preserve the natural character of the Northwoods, with minimal large-scale commercial projects in the pipeline.
Parcels are subject to Vilas County property taxes and the North Lakeland School District levies.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to increased wildfire risk assessments and the high cost of rebuilding in remote, forested areas.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov for ZCTA 54546.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Copper Falls State Park4.84.5 mi
- Copper Falls State Park4.84.5 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A series of 10 interconnected lakes offering premier fishing and boating.
Provides educational programs, hiking trails, and environmental stewardship.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.