countyscore
42.8
County Score
Schools 68.1Lawn Care 67.9Health 60

County Report Card

About Adams County, Wisconsin

Adams County Below National Median

With a composite score of 42.8, Adams County trails the national median score of 50.0. This ranking puts the county in the bottom half of all counties nationwide. It faces significant hurdles in infrastructure and local safety compared to the broader U.S. landscape.

Trailing the Wisconsin State Average

Adams County falls short of the Wisconsin state average composite score of 50.3. Its 42.8 score reflects a lower standard of living relative to many of its state neighbors. Local data indicates a significant gap between this rural county and more urbanized Wisconsin regions.

Solid Schools and Affordable Rents

The county excels in education with a school score of 68.1 and a health score of 60.0. Housing remains accessible with a median gross rent of just $789 per month. These strengths provide a foundation for families looking for affordability and decent educational outcomes.

Water Infrastructure and Taxes Pose Risks

A critical water score of 3.7 and a low tax score of 20.8 represent the county's primary challenges. Residents pay an effective tax rate of 1.299% while dealing with high environmental risks. Low safety scores further complicate the county's path to growth.

Best for Budget-Conscious Families

Adams County suits families who prioritize affordable housing and solid public schools over urban amenities. It is a good fit for those with a household income near the $59,153 median who value rural living. However, newcomers should prepare for higher tax burdens and infrastructure needs.

2040608010020.857.122.86068.136.329.13.747Tax20.8Cost57.1Safety22.8Health60Schools68.1Income36.3Risk29.1Water3.7Weather4742.8/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Adams County DNA

Foverall

How Adams County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Adams County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Schools (68.1/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (3.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
20.8-31.2
Cost
57.1+9.100000000000001
Safety
22.8-32.2
Health
60+10
Schools
68.1+14.099999999999994
Income
36.3-14.700000000000003
Risk
29.1-17.9
Water
3.7-54.3
Weather
47-9
Sponsored

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Many homeowners in Adams County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$184,500

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$789/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$184,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,153/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Adams County with Moffat County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Juneau County
Wisconsin
46.2
Marquette County
Wisconsin
51.7
Waushara County
Wisconsin
54.5
Wood County
Wisconsin
53.1
Portage County
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52
Columbia County
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47.6
Sauk County
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Green Lake County
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51.8

Deep Dives

Adams County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Adams County

via TaxByCounty

Adams taxes well below national average

Adams County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 1.299%, putting them in the bottom 30% nationally—well below the median U.S. rate. The median property tax of $2,397 is also $293 lower than the national median, even accounting for Adams's lower median home value of $184,500.

Adams ranks among Wisconsin's lowest

At 1.299% effective rate, Adams ranks in the lower half of Wisconsin's 72 counties, sitting below the state average of 1.436%. The median tax bill of $2,397 is nearly $700 below Wisconsin's median of $3,081.

Lowest rates in the north-central region

Adams County's 1.299% rate beats nearby Ashland (1.467%) and Barron (1.424%), making it one of the most tax-friendly counties in north-central Wisconsin. Only Bayfield (1.066%) and Burnett (0.952%) offer lower rates in the wider region.

A $184,500 home costs about $2,400 yearly

The median Adams County home valued at $184,500 generates an annual tax bill of approximately $2,397. With mortgage, that climbs to $2,563; without, it drops to $2,189.

Appeal your assessment if overvalued

Many Wisconsin homeowners pay taxes on inflated property assessments. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales in your area, filing a tax appeal with your local assessor costs nothing and could lower your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Adams County

via CostByCounty

Adams County rents stretch budgets

Renters in Adams County spend 16.0% of their income on rent, slightly above the national standard where housing should consume no more than 30% of income. The county's median household income of $59,153 lags the national median by $15,602, making even modest rents harder to afford.

Mid-pack affordability in Wisconsin

Adams County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio sits above Wisconsin's state average of 14.9%, indicating slightly tighter affordability than the typical Wisconsin county. Median rent here is $102 below the state average of $891, yet incomes are lower, creating a cost squeeze.

Comparable to Burnett, less than Brown

Adams County's $789 monthly rent closely matches Burnett County's $758, though Adams has a higher rent-to-income ratio at 16.0% versus Burnett's 14.8%. Brown County to the east commands $973 in monthly rent—$184 more—reflecting its stronger median income of $77,490.

Housing eats 16% of household income

At $59,153 median household income, an Adams County renter paying $789/month dedicates 16% of gross income to rent, while homeowners with a median home value of $184,500 carry monthly costs of $845. Together, these figures show housing claims a meaningful but manageable portion of the county's budget.

Affordable rents, but watch your income

Adams County offers below-state-average rents and stable home values, making it attractive for budget-conscious renters and first-time buyers. If you earn near the county median, compare your salary to the $59,153 benchmark—a higher income from remote work could make Adams County an excellent value play.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Adams County

via IncomeByCounty

Adams lags behind national income standard

Adams County's median household income of $59,153 falls $15,602 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This 21% income gap means Adams households earn substantially less than the typical American family, placing the county well outside the national middle.

Below average for Wisconsin

Adams County ranks below Wisconsin's state median income of $71,715, trailing by $12,562 annually. Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, Adams sits in the lower third of income rankings, reflecting rural economic patterns common across north-central Wisconsin.

Adams trails nearby Barron and Buffalo

Neighboring Barron County ($64,619) and Buffalo County ($68,722) both outpace Adams by $5,000–$9,500 annually. Adams residents earn comparably to Ashland County ($57,645), but lag significantly behind better-performing neighbors like Bayfield ($69,609).

Housing remains affordable in Adams

At 16% of income, Adams County's rent-to-income ratio sits just at the affordability threshold of 15%, meaning housing costs are manageable but leave limited margin for error. The median home value of $184,500 represents roughly 3.1 years of median household income—reasonable for the region.

Build financial resilience in Adams County

With median household income of $59,153, Adams residents benefit from intentional budgeting and modest savings habits to weather economic downturns. Even small monthly investments in low-cost index funds or retirement accounts can compound significantly over time, creating a wealth foundation for future generations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Adams County

via CrimeByCounty

Safe Living Below National Averages

Adams County maintains a safety score of 96.9, signaling a secure environment. Its total crime rate of 1968.2 per 100K remains lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Comparing Adams to the State Average

While safe by national standards, the county's crime rate exceeds the Wisconsin average of 1103.1 per 100K. This puts Adams County slightly below the state's average safety score of 98.3.

Local Safety Comparisons

Adams County experiences slightly more crime than neighboring Burnett County, which reports 1811.5 incidents per 100K. However, it remains significantly safer than Calumet County's rate of 3349.8.

Understanding Local Crime Risks

Property crime drives the local data at 1625.7 per 100K, while violent crime is much lower at 342.5. These figures suggest that theft is a more common concern than physical safety.

Enhance Your Home Security

Active property monitoring can help lower the risk of theft in your neighborhood. Installing motion lights or a security camera provides an extra layer of protection.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Adams County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Consolidated Rural Education Infrastructure

Adams County operates three public schools within a single unified school district. This streamlined infrastructure serves 1,315 students across one elementary, one middle, and one high school.

Graduation Rates Outpace State Benchmarks

The county boasts a 92.0% graduation rate, exceeding the Wisconsin average of 91.8%. While the $8,327 per-pupil expenditure is lower than the national average, it remains above the state's $8,113 threshold.

Unified Under Adams-Friendship Area Schools

The Adams-Friendship Area School District manages all three campuses and the entire student body. There are currently no charter schools in the county, focusing resources on traditional public pathways.

Small Rural Schools with Direct Connections

All three schools are situated in rural locales with an average size of 438 students. Adams-Friendship Elementary is the largest with 494 students, while the middle school is the smallest with 378.

Prioritizing Education in Your Home Search

Strong graduation rates make this county an appealing choice for families. Explore residential options near these central campuses to benefit from a focused, high-performing rural district.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Adams County

via RiskByCounty

Adams County's moderate risk profile

Adams County scores 70.90 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category—well above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. While this county faces more natural disaster risk than most Wisconsinites, it remains below the national median for composite risk exposure.

Higher than average across Wisconsin

Adams County ranks among the state's higher-risk counties despite its "Relatively Low" designation, reflecting Wisconsin's overall favorable position on natural disaster exposure. The county's 70.90 score significantly exceeds Wisconsin's 59.08 average, placing it in the upper portion of the state's risk distribution.

Riskier than most nearby counties

Adams County's risk profile stands notably higher than neighboring Burnett County (49.33) and Calumet County (30.18), but slightly below Barron County (68.64). Among its peers, Adams faces more consistent exposure across multiple hazard types rather than concentrated risk in a single category.

Tornado and flood threats lead risks

Tornado risk dominates Adams County at 73.44, followed closely by flood risk at 72.46—both substantially higher than the county's other hazards. Wildfire risk, while present at 53.12, poses a secondary threat compared to these two weather-related hazards that affect the broadest areas of the county.

Secure coverage against storms now

Adams County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance that explicitly covers tornado and flood damage, as these represent the county's dominant risks. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood coverage, so separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program should be a critical consideration.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Adams County

via WaterByCounty

Severe Drinking Water Violations in Adams County

Adams County receives an F grade for drinking water compliance with 80 health violations over the last five years. The county violation rate of 1,065.1 per 100,000 residents is nearly 14 times higher than the Wisconsin state average of 76.3. This represents a significant outlier in local water safety performance.

Phosphorus and PCBs Impact Local Watersheds

During the 2022 reporting cycle, 5.1% of the 235 assessed water bodies in the county were classified as impaired. This rate sits below the state average of 7.6%, yet specific threats remain. Primary causes for impairment include phosphorus, PCBs, and other unknown factors.

Robust Monitoring Records Over 48,000 Results

Water quality monitoring is active across 166 different sites in Adams County. These locations have generated 48,821 individual measurements over the past five years. Experts focus primarily on physical characteristics, organics, pesticides, and nutrients.

Big Roche A Cri Creek Flows Above Average

The USGS gauge at Big Roche A Cri Creek near Leola reports a current discharge of 25 cubic feet per second. This flow represents 107% of the long-term mean, indicating slightly higher than typical water levels. The creek drains a 16 square mile area crucial for local drainage.

Prioritize Filtration and Testing

Given the exceptionally high violation rate, residents should prioritize home water testing and high-quality filtration systems. While streamflow is stable, the presence of PCBs in local watersheds suggests caution regarding fish consumption. Staying informed on specific phosphorus levels can help property owners manage local runoff.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Adams County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Northern Continental Climate

Adams County averages 45.0°F annually, which sits significantly lower than the national median of approximately 54°F. This reflects a typical Midwestern continental pattern characterized by four distinct and varying seasons.

Slightly Warmer Than the Wisconsin Average

The county's 45.0°F annual temperature makes it slightly warmer than the Wisconsin state average of 44.4°F. It experiences a relatively typical climate for the central part of the state.

Warmer Conditions Than Northern Neighbors

With 35.1 inches of annual precipitation, Adams County is wetter than Brown County to the east. Its annual temperature is notably higher than northern counties like Bayfield, which averages only 41.1°F.

From Deep Freezes to Summer Swelter

January temperatures average a chilly 15.7°F, while July heats up to 70.8°F. The county sees 11 extreme heat days reaching 90°F or higher and handles 52 inches of annual snowfall.

Prepare for Snow and Summer Heat

Residents need high-efficiency HVAC systems to manage 11 days of extreme heat and winter averages of 19.2°F. Heavy-duty snow removal equipment is essential for the 52 inches of yearly accumulation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Adams County

via SoilByCounty

The Acidic Soils of Adams County

Adams County soil shows an average pH of 5.36, which is more acidic than the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 5.63. While specific taxonomic data is limited for this region, the low pH dictates which crops can thrive here.

A Sandy, Easy-to-Work Mix

This soil is dominated by 58.4% sand, paired with 15.7% silt and 7.3% clay. This high sand content ensures high workability but means the soil likely loses nutrients and water faster than heavier clays.

Moderate Fertility and Water Access

Organic matter stands at 10.73%, slightly below the state average of 11.02% but well above the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity is 0.148 in/in, which is lower than the state average of 0.204, suggesting a need for more frequent irrigation.

Managing Rapid Local Drainage

While specific drainage classes are not recorded in this dataset, the high sand percentage generally points toward rapid drainage. Gardeners should plan for a soil that dries out quickly between rains.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 4b

The local climate in Zone 4b supports hardy vegetables and native prairie plants. With the right acidity management, this sandy ground is a perfect place to start a specialized fruit or vegetable garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Adams County

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Lawn Conditions in Adams County

Adams County earns a lawn difficulty score of 67.9, outperforming both the Wisconsin state average of 64.4 and the national median of 50.0. This score indicates that residents in this USDA Hardiness Zone 4b region find it relatively easy to maintain a healthy yard. Local conditions support steady grass growth with fewer obstacles than neighboring regions.

Warm Summers and Healthy Rainfall

The county receives 35.1 inches of annual precipitation, which falls right within the ideal range of 30-50 inches for healthy lawns. While the 2,476 growing degree days provide ample energy for turf, the 11 extreme heat days—nearly double the state average—require vigilant summer watering. Mowing schedules typically ramp up as temperatures peak in July around 70.8°F.

Acidic Sands Require Nutrient Balancing

The soil in Adams County is heavily sandy at 58.4%, which typically leads to fast drainage but low nutrient retention. With a pH level of 5.36, the soil is significantly more acidic than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. To prevent yellowing, homeowners often need to apply lime to raise the pH and stabilize the foundation.

Remarkable Resilience to Drought Stress

While much of the state faces dry spells, Adams County has recorded zero weeks in drought over the past year. Only 3.9% of the county currently shows as abnormally dry, making it a standout for water stability. This consistent moisture reduces the immediate need for intensive irrigation systems compared to drought-prone neighbors.

Seeding for Success in Zone 4b

Hardy cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass or Fine Fescue are the best choices for the local 4b climate. With the last spring frost typically occurring around May 9, late spring is an excellent time to start new sod. Aim to establish new growth well before the first fall frost arrives in early October.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Adams County's county score?
Adams County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 42.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Adams County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Adams County ranks #60 among all counties in Wisconsin on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Adams County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Adams County is $2,397, with an effective tax rate of 1.30%. This earns Adams County a tax score of 20.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Adams County?
The median household income in Adams County, Wisconsin is $59,153 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Adams County earns an income score of 36.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Adams County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Adams County scores 42.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #60 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Adams County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Adams County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.