The City of Rhinelander, Oneida County, is home to approximately 8,000 residents. As the county seat, and with a strong commercial and industrial base, the City is the business and service center for Oneida County. The City offers several parks. Hodag Park is located along the beautiful Boom Lake shoreline. Pioneer Park features a logging and railroad museum complex. Rhinelander's Northwood Golf Club, an 18-hole public course with clubhouse and restaurant, was rated 5th in Wisconsin from 1989-1994 by the WSGA. The City is also home to the Rhinelander District Library, named 2005 Library of the Year by the Wisconsin Library Association.

Rhinelander is the Home of the Hodag, a mythical creature created by Rhinelander pioneer and timber cruiser Gene Shepard in 1896. Although it originated as a hoax, the Hodag became a local legend and the symbol of the City. Many local businesses, as well as the Rhinelander High School sports teams, are named for the Hodag.