Burnett

Formed January 1, 1856 (52^nd county)

Burnett County (16,526), Siren (823), Grantsburg (1,334)                

The tan brick and concrete Modern building was built in 1984.  It is on Wisconsin State Highway 35 at the Burnett County Airport.  Ozolins-D’Jock Architects provided the designs.  Veteran memorials are on the grounds.  Grantsburg was the previous county seat and had an 1888 facility.  Burnett County was formed on January 1, 1856 from Polk County as the 52^nd county.  The county is named for Legislator Thomas P. Burnett.  The county seat name is Swedish for “lilac.” 

Burnett County government consists of a sheriff and 21 Supervisors.  One Circuit Court Judge and One Municipal Court Judge serve Burnett County.  Burnett County is on the northwest border with Minnesota.  The Saint Croix River forms its western border.  Madison, Wisconsin is southeast and Minneapolis, Minnesota is southwest of the county.  The county center is 6.4 miles Northeast of Siren nearer Webster.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Douglas, Washburn, Barron, and Polk counties and Minnesota. 

The area of the county is 821.9 square miles.  It is 28 out of 72 in the state.  It ranks 60 out of 72 in population in the state.  It has a density of 20.1 persons per square mile making it 62 out of 72 in the state.  Burnett County has 17.2% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county resembles a cat facing east.  Siren is located in the southern quarter of the county.  Grantsburg is in the southwest quarter of the county.  Siren is the county seat and Grantsburg is the largest city.  Siren is 5.0% of the county population while Grantsburg is 8.1% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced SIE-REN.