countyscore
51.1
County Score
Health 69.6Safety 67.8Soil Quality 65.2

County Report Card

About Barron County, Wisconsin

Barron County Beats National Median

Barron County’s composite score of 51.1 sits slightly above the national median of 50.0. This places it in the upper half of U.S. counties for overall quality of life. It provides a balanced profile that rivals many of its national peers.

Exceeding the Wisconsin Average

With a 51.1 score, Barron County outperforms the Wisconsin state average of 50.3. This achievement signals a higher-than-average standard of living for the Badger State. The county maintains a competitive edge through strong community health and safety.

Strong Health and Safety Scores

The county excels in health outcomes with a score of 69.6 and a safety score of 67.8. Its school system is also a high point, scoring a solid 62.1. These metrics suggest a stable, nurturing environment for local residents.

Tax Burdens and Environmental Risk

Barron County struggles with a low tax score of 16.5, reflecting an effective tax rate of 1.424%. The risk score of 31.4 suggests vulnerability to environmental factors or weather-related issues. Additionally, housing affordability is only moderate with a cost score of 43.0.

Perfect for Active Families

Barron County is a great fit for families who value safety and good healthcare above all else. With a median income of $64,619, it supports a comfortable middle-class lifestyle. It is an ideal spot for those who want a reliable Wisconsin community with strong civic health.

Score breakdown

Tax16.5Cost43Safety67.8Health69.6Schools62.1Income52.5Risk31.4Water45.1Weather49.1
🏛16.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠43
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼52.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡67.8
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤69.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓62.1
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡31.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧45.1
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤49.1
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨65.2
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱61.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Dunn County
Wisconsin
49.2
Rusk County
Wisconsin
53.8
Chippewa County
Wisconsin
42.5
Washburn County
Wisconsin
58.2
Polk County
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Burnett County
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St. Croix County
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Chisago County
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46.2

Deep Dives

Barron County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Barron County

via TaxByCounty

Barron taxes slightly below the national median

Barron County's effective tax rate of 1.424% ranks near the 45th percentile nationally, sitting slightly below the median U.S. rate. The median tax of $2,823 exceeds the national median by $133, reflecting Barron's slightly larger median home value of $198,300.

Barron ranks near Wisconsin's state average

At 1.424%, Barron's effective rate runs just below Wisconsin's state average of 1.436%, placing it in the middle band of the state's 72 counties. The median tax of $2,823 remains $258 below Wisconsin's median of $3,081.

Middle ground among north-central counties

Barron's 1.424% rate nestles between Ashland (1.467%) to the north and Adams (1.299%) to the south, offering a balanced position in the region's tax landscape. It remains higher than Burnett (0.952%) but lower than Calumet (1.519%).

A $198,300 home costs about $2,823 yearly

The median Barron County home valued at $198,300 generates an annual tax bill of approximately $2,823. With mortgage, that's $2,817; without, it's $2,831—nearly identical either way.

Review your assessment; appeals are free

Many Barron County homeowners overpay because their properties are assessed above fair market value. Filing a tax appeal directly with your local assessor requires no fee and could yield substantial savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Barron County

via CostByCounty

Barron County rents strain household budgets

Barron County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio sits above Wisconsin's state average of 14.9%, signaling tighter affordability despite the county's $64,619 median household income being $10,136 below the national level. Monthly rents of $859 consume a noticeable share of income.

Above-average rent burden in Wisconsin

At 15.9%, Barron County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average by 1.0 percentage point, placing it among the less affordable Wisconsin counties in this group. Median rent of $859 is just $32 below the state average, compounding pressure on households earning below the state median.

Pricier than Burnett, similar to Adams

Barron County's $859 monthly rent is higher than Burnett's $758 and Adams's $789, pulling its rent-to-income ratio to 15.9% despite having the second-highest median income in the comparison. This suggests Barron's housing market has appreciated faster than wages.

Rents take 16% of household income

At $64,619 median income, Barron County renters paying $859/month dedicate 15.9% to rent, while homeowners invest $938/month on properties valued at $198,300. Housing consumes a substantial but still manageable slice of household budgets, particularly for higher earners.

Reasonable balance of income and rents

Barron County offers solid median income levels relative to neighboring counties, with rents that are steep but not prohibitive. If you're relocating from a high-cost urban area or moving between rural counties, Barron's balanced affordability makes it worth comparing to its neighbors.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Barron County

via IncomeByCounty

Barron County income 14% below national mark

Barron County's median household income of $64,619 falls $10,136 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. While Barron performs better than some rural peers, it still sits notably below national middle-class standards.

Barron slightly below Wisconsin median

Barron County earns $64,619 annually per household, trailing Wisconsin's state median of $71,715 by $7,096. The county ranks in Wisconsin's middle range—neither among the poorest rural counties nor the prosperous urban centers of Milwaukee or Madison.

Barron competitive with surrounding counties

Barron's $64,619 median income outpaces nearby Adams ($59,153) and Ashland ($57,645) but trails Buffalo County ($68,722) and Bayfield ($69,609). This middle-tier standing reflects Barron's stronger manufacturing base compared to more rural northern neighbors.

Housing costs remain reasonable in Barron

Barron's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% sits just above the affordability threshold, meaning housing consumes a meaningful but not excessive share of household budgets. The median home value of $198,300 represents roughly 3.1 years of median income—accessible for local wage earners.

Barron residents can build lasting wealth

With median income of $64,619 and reasonable housing costs, Barron households have room to prioritize long-term wealth strategies like 401(k) contributions and home equity building. Consistent saving of just 10% of household income compounds powerfully over 30-year working lives.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Barron County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety in Barron County

Barron County is remarkably safe, boasting an elite safety score of 98.8 out 100. Its crime rate of 754.0 per 100K is less than a third of the national average.

Outperforming State Safety Norms

The county outperforms the Wisconsin state average safety score of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 754.0 is also far lower than the statewide average of 1103.1.

A Leader in Regional Safety

Barron County is much safer than neighboring Burnett County, which reports a crime rate of 1811.5 per 100K. It even sees less crime than the peaceful Bayfield County.

Low Rates Across All Crimes

Violent crime is rare here, occurring at just 154.2 per 100K, which is below state averages. Property crime remains low at 599.8 per 100K across five reporting agencies.

Maintaining a Safe Community

Even in high-safety areas, proactive security makes a difference. Smart home technology helps keep these low crime rates moving in the right direction.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Barron County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy meets national average

Barron County residents live to 77.7 years on average, matching the U.S. life expectancy of roughly 78 years. With 17.2% of adults reporting poor or fair health, the county performs in line with national norms but has clear room for improvement.

Essentially at state average

At 77.7 years, Barron County's life expectancy is nearly identical to Wisconsin's 77.8-year average. This puts the county in the healthy middle of the state's performance—competitive but not leading.

Balanced health profile among peers

Barron County's 77.7-year life expectancy places it solidly in the middle of neighboring counties like Dunn and Polk. The 17.2% poor/fair health rate is comparable to regional averages, suggesting consistent health outcomes across northwestern Wisconsin.

Good provider access supports residents

Barron County offers 101 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 103 mental health providers—both above state averages. With a 7.5% uninsured rate just slightly above the state average of 7%, most residents have a path to regular care.

Make sure you're covered

About 7.5% of Barron County residents remain uninsured despite solid provider networks. Explore BadgerCare+ and marketplace options to ensure you have health insurance protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Barron County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Broad Network of Local Schools

Barron County features 36 public schools across eight districts, serving a total of 7,476 students. The landscape is diverse, including 11 elementary, 10 high, and eight middle schools.

Strong Investment and Steady Outcomes

The county earns a 56.5 school score and maintains a graduation rate of 91.0%. Per-pupil spending of $8,148 is slightly higher than the state average, reflecting a consistent commitment to education.

Rice Lake Area District Leads Enrollment

Rice Lake Area School District is the largest, managing 2,186 students across seven schools. Charter schools are highly prevalent here, making up over 22% of all schools in the county.

A Mix of Rural and Town Life

The county hosts 26 rural schools and 10 town-based campuses with an average size of 214 students. Rice Lake High is the largest hub with 714 students, while many smaller campuses provide intimate learning environments.

Building a Future in Barron County

A high concentration of charter schools provides families with numerous educational choices. Explore homes in the Rice Lake or Barron districts to find a community that values school quality.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Barron County

via RiskByCounty

Barron County faces elevated tornado risk

Barron County scores 68.64 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category but notably above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This northwest Wisconsin county experiences more natural disaster exposure than most peers, driven primarily by tornado and flood threats.

Upper-middle risk ranking in state

Barron County's 68.64 score ranks it among Wisconsin's higher-risk counties, falling in the upper third of the state's composite risk distribution. Only a handful of Wisconsin counties face substantially greater natural disaster exposure than Barron.

Comparable to Adams, riskier than Ashland

Barron County's risk profile closely mirrors Adams County (70.90), making both counties notably riskier than northern neighbors like Ashland (31.68) and Bayfield (35.08). The shared tornado and flood vulnerabilities suggest similar preparedness strategies across this northwestern region.

Tornadoes rank as dominant threat

Barron County faces exceptional tornado risk at 75.00—among the highest in Wisconsin—combined with moderate flood risk of 59.06. Wildfire and earthquake threats remain comparatively minor, while hurricane exposure is negligible.

Tornado shelter planning is essential

Barron County residents must prioritize homeowners insurance with tornado coverage and establish or upgrade safe rooms or shelters for severe weather events. Flood insurance should also be considered for properties in mapped floodplains or areas with historical water damage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Barron County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Than the National Median

Barron County maintains an average annual temperature of 42.2°F, placing it well below the national median. The region experiences a sharp continental climate with dramatic shifts between summer and winter.

Below the Wisconsin Average Temperature

Barron's 42.2°F average is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 44.4°F. This makes it one of the cooler counties in the western part of the state.

Drier and Colder Than Buffalo

Compared to Buffalo County to the south, Barron is over four degrees colder annually and receives about 3 inches less precipitation. It closely tracks the conditions of neighboring Burnett County.

Cold Winters and Pleasant Summers

January is particularly harsh here with an average temperature of 11.1°F. Summers remain comfortable with only 4 extreme heat days above 90°F and 53 inches of annual snowfall.

Insulate Pipes for Sub-Zero Temps

Homeowners should prioritize high-quality insulation to combat the 14.6°F winter average. While extreme heat is rare, reliable heating systems are non-negotiable for the five months of freezing potential.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Barron County

via SoilByCounty

Classic Acidic Loams of Barron

Barron County has an average soil pH of 5.38, which is slightly more acidic than the state average of 5.63 and well below the national 6.5 median. This acidity level is typical for the mixed forest and agricultural lands of the region.

A Silty, Productive Texture

The soil is a mix of 38.6% sand and 43.3% silt, providing a loamy feel that is easy for roots to penetrate. The 9.9% clay content helps with nutrient retention while maintaining decent drainage.

Solid Water Storage Potential

Organic matter measures 8.96%, which is healthy but sits below the Wisconsin average of 11.02%. The available water capacity of 0.198 in/in is nearly on par with the state average of 0.204, ensuring reliable moisture access.

Balanced Hydrology for Farming

Specific drainage classes are not listed, but the silt-heavy composition suggests moderate drainage speeds. This balance typically supports diverse agricultural activities without the extremes of flooding or drought.

Gardening in Hardiness Zone 4b

In Zone 4b, the growing season supports staples like sweet corn, peas, and root vegetables. Your soil’s balanced silt content makes it a great foundation for a new vegetable patch.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Barron County

via LawnByCounty

Steady Growing in Barron County

Barron County holds a lawn difficulty score of 61.1, making it slightly more challenging than the Wisconsin average of 64.4 but still easier than the national median. This Zone 4b county offers a balanced environment for traditional northern lawns. Most homeowners find success with standard maintenance routines typical of the Upper Midwest.

Moderate Heat and Reliable Rain

Annual precipitation of 33.6 inches provides a strong base for lawn health, falling well within the ideal 30-50 inch range. The 2,196 growing degree days provide sufficient energy for turf to thrive without the burnout risk found in hotter climates. With only 4 extreme heat days per year, heat-related dormancy is rarely a major concern.

Correcting Acidity for Stronger Roots

The local soil is moderately acidic with a pH of 5.38, meaning a lime application is often the first step toward a greener lawn. Soil texture is a mix of 38.6% sand and 9.9% clay, creating a foundation that generally benefits from organic matter. Adding compost can help improve the structure and support the nutrient needs of most grass types.

Recovering from Recent Dry Cycles

Over the past year, the county endured 14 weeks of drought, and 94.5% of the land area currently remains abnormally dry. While these conditions aren't severe, they do require consistent monitoring of soil moisture levels. Using mulch-mowing techniques can help retain what little moisture is available in the topsoil.

Maximize the Zone 4b Season

Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass thrive in this Zone 4b environment when seeded in early May. The last spring frost typically hits around May 8, providing a clear window for spring projects. Aim to complete all major fertilization and seeding before the first fall frost on October 2.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barron County's county score?
Barron County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 51.1 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 Barron County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Barron County ranks #38 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 Barron County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Barron County is $2,823, with an effective tax rate of 1.42%. This earns Barron County a tax score of 16.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Barron County?
The median household income in Barron County, Wisconsin is $64,619 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Barron County earns an income score of 52.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Barron County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Barron County scores 51.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #38 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Barron 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 Barron County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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