Marathon County has gained new residents from surrounding rural counties but has lost residents to larger urban areas in the Midwest. Since 2010, Marathon County gained more than 1,300 net new residents from Clark, Langlade, Lincoln, Shawano, and Wood counties.

 

During the same period, Marathon County lost a net total of over 900 residents to Dane, Brown, and Winnebago counties in Wisconsin and to Ramsey and Hennepin counties in Minnesota. Marathon County is losing younger, higher educated professionals to larger urban areas with more employment opportunities.

 

Community culture and social environment are becoming just as important factors for young professionals as wage and benefits.