Barron County scores 65.0, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by 30 points and ranking in the upper third of U.S. counties. This solid national standing reflects reliable affordability and health metrics across the county.
2 / 5
Just below state average
At 65.0, Barron County sits slightly below Wisconsin's average of 65.6, placing it near the middle of the state's county rankings. It represents a typical Wisconsin livability profile with no extreme advantages or disadvantages.
3 / 5
Health and housing standouts
Barron County boasts a Health Score of 73.9, among the state's best, signaling strong healthcare access and outcomes. Housing remains affordable with a Cost Score of 78.7 and median home value of $198,300, making homeownership attainable for working families.
4 / 5
Income and environmental risk gaps
The median household income of $64,619 produces an Income Score of 25.6, indicating wages below state norms and limiting household purchasing power. A Risk Score of 31.4 suggests meaningful environmental or natural hazard exposure that residents should monitor.
5 / 5
Solid choice for health-conscious buyers
Barron County works best for families prioritizing healthcare quality and housing affordability over high incomes or cutting-edge amenities. It's a reliable, middle-of-the-road Wisconsin county for those seeking stability and wellness focus.
Barron County scores 65.0, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by 30 points and ranking in the upper third of U.S. counties. This solid national standing reflects reliable affordability and health metrics across the county.
Just below state average
At 65.0, Barron County sits slightly below Wisconsin's average of 65.6, placing it near the middle of the state's county rankings. It represents a typical Wisconsin livability profile with no extreme advantages or disadvantages.
Health and housing standouts
Barron County boasts a Health Score of 73.9, among the state's best, signaling strong healthcare access and outcomes. Housing remains affordable with a Cost Score of 78.7 and median home value of $198,300, making homeownership attainable for working families.
Income and environmental risk gaps
The median household income of $64,619 produces an Income Score of 25.6, indicating wages below state norms and limiting household purchasing power. A Risk Score of 31.4 suggests meaningful environmental or natural hazard exposure that residents should monitor.
Solid choice for health-conscious buyers
Barron County works best for families prioritizing healthcare quality and housing affordability over high incomes or cutting-edge amenities. It's a reliable, middle-of-the-road Wisconsin county for those seeking stability and wellness focus.
Score breakdown
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🏛62.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.