CountyScore

Adams County

Wisconsin · WI

#40 in Wisconsin
65.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Adams County, Wisconsin

Adams outpaces the nation

Adams County's composite livability score of 65.7 sits 31% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This strong national performance reflects a county where affordability and tax burden are notably favorable compared to typical American communities.

Right at Wisconsin's middle

With a score of 65.7, Adams ranks essentially tied with Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's 72 counties. This signals a typical Wisconsin livability profile—neither a standout nor a laggard.

Affordability and tax relief lead

Adams County excels in housing affordability with a Cost Score of 81.4 and maintains a low effective tax rate of 1.299%, among Wisconsin's most favorable. Health outcomes also shine at 71.6, suggesting residents enjoy solid access to medical care and wellness services.

Income and risk deserve attention

The county struggles with a median household income of $59,153, producing an Income Score of just 22.0—well below state norms. Environmental or natural hazard risk metrics score a concerning 29.1, indicating vulnerability that could affect property values and insurance costs.

Best for budget-conscious families

Adams County suits families and retirees who prioritize low housing costs and tax burden over high wages and modern amenities. It's a quiet, affordable Wisconsin choice for those comfortable with modest incomes and willing to accept environmental risks.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax65.7Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth71.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome22Risk29.1WaterComing Soon
🏛65.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡29.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Adams County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clinch County
Georgia
65.7
Median income: $55,549
Jo Daviess County
Illinois
65.7
Median income: $74,954
Porter County
Indiana
65.7
Median income: $85,828
Osage County
Kansas
65.7
Median income: $70,216
Kenton County
Kentucky
65.7
Median income: $79,421

Deep Dives

Adams County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Health in Adams County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy lags national average

Adams County residents live to an average of 75.9 years, about 5 years shorter than the U.S. life expectancy of roughly 78 years. With 17.1% of adults reporting poor or fair health—higher than many national benchmarks—the county faces real health challenges that deserve attention and resources.

Below Wisconsin's health benchmark

At 75.9 years, Adams County's life expectancy trails Wisconsin's state average of 77.8 years by nearly 2 years. This gap suggests the county would benefit from stronger focus on preventive care and chronic disease management to close the gap with state leaders.

Shortest life span in northern peer group

Adams County's 75.9-year life expectancy sits well below neighboring Marquette and Waupaca counties, which exceed the state average. The 17.1% poor/fair health rate also ranks among the highest in the region, indicating concentrated health disparities that demand targeted intervention.

Primary care gap threatens daily access

With just 10 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—roughly one-sixth the state's typical ratio—Adams County struggles to meet basic healthcare needs. The 8.5% uninsured rate adds friction to seeking care, leaving vulnerable residents without a regular medical home.

Explore insurance options today

Nearly 1 in 12 Adams County residents lack health insurance coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or Wisconsin's BadgerCare+ program to find plans that fit your budget and health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

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

ByCounty Network

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