Forest County

Forest County is bordered by Florence County to the northeast, Langlade County to the south, Oneida County to the west, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula to the north across the state line. Major landmarks include the Nicolet National Forest, which covers substantial portions of the county, and numerous pristine lakes including Lake Lucerne, Scattered Rice Lake, and Pine Lake. The county is home to the Mole Lake (Sokaogon Chippewa) Community, a federally recognized Native American tribe.

Forest County's economy has historically centered on timber harvesting, forest products, tourism, and recreation. The Forest County Assessor's office maintains property valuations and tax assessment records. What makes Forest County unique is its remarkably low population density, extensive public lands, and preserved natural environment, offering exceptional opportunities for outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and ATV trails throughout the year.

Inmate information and jail rosters can typically be obtained by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly during business hours, though online inmate lookup systems may be limited compared to larger Wisconsin counties. Municipal police services are provided primarily by the Crandon Police Department, which serves the largest community in the county. The Sokaogon Chippewa Community also maintains its own tribal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction on the Mole Lake Reservation.

Arrest records in Forest County are considered public records under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 19, specifically Wis. Stat. § 19.35, which establishes the public's right to inspect governmental records.

Some records may be exempt from disclosure if they pertain to ongoing investigations or contain confidential information protected by statute. Tribal law enforcement records on the Mole Lake Reservation are subject to tribal sovereignty and separate tribal public records policies.

The Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) system provides public access to Wisconsin circuit court records through the Wisconsin Court System's website at wcca.wicourts.gov, where users can search Forest County cases by name, case number, or other criteria at no charge for basic searches. The CCAP system includes civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, and traffic case information. Court records access in Wisconsin is governed by Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Chapter 70, which establishes public access to court records while protecting certain confidential information.

In-person court record searches can be conducted at the Forest County Clerk of Circuit Court office during regular business hours. The Circuit Court also handles traffic citations, though many traffic matters can be resolved through online payment systems for non-contested violations. Family court matters including divorce, paternity, and custody cases are maintained in the court's family division.

Juvenile records are subject to confidentiality provisions under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 48 and are generally not accessible to the public. Municipal courts may also operate in Crandon and other municipalities for local ordinance violations, though these are separate from the circuit court system.

Available records include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages and satisfactions, liens (including mechanic's liens and judgment liens), easements, right-of-way agreements, plat maps, certified survey maps, and other instruments affecting real property title. The Register of Deeds office provides document recording services with fees established by Wisconsin Statutes Section 59.43, typically charging based on the number of pages and whether the document is in standard recording format. Forest County property tax records are maintained by the Forest County Treasurer's office at the same courthouse location, with property assessments handled by the Forest County Assessment Office.

Citizens seeking property tax information, assessed values, and parcel data can contact the Treasurer's office at (715) 478-2422. The county may maintain a Geographic Information System (GIS) for parcel mapping and property visualization, which can be valuable for researching property boundaries, zoning, and land use. Land record searches are public under Wisconsin's open records law, Wis.

Stat. § 19.35, though some personal information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections. Historical land records dating back to the county's founding in 1885 are preserved at the Register of Deeds office, providing valuable resources for title searches, genealogical research, and historical property research.

Wisconsin birth records are confidential for 100 years and death records for 50 years under Wisconsin Statutes Section 69.20, with access limited to qualified applicants who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest, including the subject of the record (if of legal age), immediate family members, legal representatives, or others authorized by law. Marriage licenses are issued by the Forest County Clerk's office at the Forest County Courthouse, and marriage records are maintained by that office as well. Divorce records (divorce decrees and related documents) are maintained by the Forest County Clerk of Circuit Court as part of the court record system.

For vital records throughout Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, serves as the centralized state repository and can be reached at 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, or by phone at (608) 266-1371. Death certificates less than 50 years old require the requester to demonstrate qualified status under Wisconsin law.

These local registrations are required under Wisconsin Statutes Section 134.16 for businesses not operating under the owner's legal name. For comprehensive business entity searches, including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions maintains the official state business registry accessible online at www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch. This free online database allows users to search by business name, registered agent, or registration number and provides information about business status, formation date, registered office address, and annual report compliance.

Professional and occupational licenses in Wisconsin are generally issued at the state level by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), which regulates hundreds of professions including contractors, real estate agents, cosmetologists, and healthcare providers. Building permits and zoning approvals in Forest County are handled by the Forest County Zoning Department, which reviews construction projects for compliance with county zoning ordinances and Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code. Sales tax permits and seller's permits are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, not at the county level.

The Forest County Economic Development Corporation may provide information and assistance to businesses locating or expanding in Forest County. The Crandon Area Chamber of Commerce serves the county seat and surrounding area, providing business networking, promotion, and community information; it can be reached through local Crandon business contacts. Local municipalities within Forest County may also require separate business licenses or permits for businesses operating within their jurisdictions.

Voter registration in Wisconsin can be completed online through the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov, by mail, in person at the County Clerk's office or municipal clerk offices, or at the polling place on Election Day. Voters can find their assigned polling place by visiting myvote.wi.gov and entering their address, or by contacting the Forest County Clerk's office. Forest County typically has multiple polling locations distributed across the county's municipalities including Crandon, Laona, Wabeno, and Armstrong Creek.

Election records that are public in Wisconsin include voter registration lists (though with some personal information restricted), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees, candidate nomination papers and declarations of candidacy, and certified election results broken down by ward and county. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 7 governs election administration and public access to election materials. Forest County, like much of rural northern Wisconsin, tends to have strong voter participation rates.

The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, one U.S. Senate seat, Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly seats, and various county and local offices.

Absentee ballots in Forest County can be requested through the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov, by contacting the municipal clerk for the county where the voter resides, or by written request to the County Clerk's office. Wisconsin law requires absentee voters to provide a copy of acceptable photo identification with their absentee ballot application. Voted absentee ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk's office by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.

Election transparency in Forest County is governed by Wisconsin's open records laws and election statutes, which provide that citizens may request and inspect voter registration lists, poll books, absentee ballot logs, campaign finance filings, and official election results. Observers are permitted at polling places and during canvassing procedures. Stat.

§ 19.35.

Major economic sectors include forestry and logging, wood products manufacturing, tourism and outdoor recreation, retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, and educational services. The median household income in Forest County is significantly below both state and national averages, estimated at approximately $42,000 to $48,000 based on recent census data, reflecting the county's rural character and limited industrial base. The county experiences higher than average unemployment rates compared to Wisconsin as a whole, particularly during winter months when seasonal tourism and outdoor recreation activities decrease.

Major employers in Forest County include the Crandon School District, Forest County government, healthcare facilities including Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital's Forest County operations, retail establishments, and small manufacturing enterprises. Tourism represents a critical economic sector, with visitors drawn to the county's pristine lakes, extensive trail systems for snowmobiling and ATV use, hunting and fishing opportunities, and scenic natural beauty. The county has actively pursued economic development initiatives to diversify its economic base and attract new businesses, though efforts are challenged by the remote location and limited infrastructure.

Forest County benefits economically from property tax revenues generated by extensive forestland holdings, including county forest lands managed under Wisconsin's County Forest Law. Agriculture plays a smaller role in Forest County compared to southern Wisconsin counties, with limited farming operations due to soil conditions and short growing seasons. The county's economic future remains tied to sustainable natural resource management, tourism development, and efforts to attract remote workers and retirees seeking rural lifestyles.