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Sawyer County officials hear resident and committee concerns about aging population, housing affordability
Summary
Speakers and committee members at a Sawyer County meeting flagged long-term demographic aging and rising housing costs, and urged county committees to coordinate on housing strategies tied to demographic and broadband data.
Linda Zilmer, an Edgewater property owner, told the Sawyer County Human Services Committee that the county’s population has been aging “ahead of the state norm” for decades and that housing affordability has shifted from an asset to a barrier for new residents.
Zilmer said Sawyer County’s January 2024 housing study and more recent Forward Analytics data, plus demographic material included in the county broadband plan, show a need for county-level housing guidance. “Housing where people can age in place, housing that can be afforded, that you can afford to maintain,” Zilmer told the committee, urging that housing decisions not be made in other committees without input from this group.
The comments came during the public-comment period and were later echoed during committee discussion about whether housing should be a standing agenda item. One committee member said the county should treat housing as a cross-cutting issue tied to the strategic plan and Forward Analytics data; another cited a Dane County study presented at a recent finance conference showing home prices up 84% from 2020 to 2024 while household incomes rose 17% and mortgage payments roughly tripled after interest-rate increases.
Committee members described that the county faces a parallel affordability problem even if exact percentages differ locally. Board members suggested housing strategies should be discussed across committees — including administration, economic development and finance — rather than isolated in one body.
No formal motion or policy was adopted on housing at the meeting. Committee members agreed to bring housing back for additional consideration as a future agenda item so members can review county reports and demographic projections.
Background: The meeting packet and broadband plan materials referenced by speakers were presented to the committee in recent weeks; Linda Zilmer referenced the county’s January 2024 housing study and Forward Analytics material as the bases for her remarks.
Looking ahead: Committee members said coordination across committees will be needed before the county pursues specific housing programs or incentives.
