CountyScore

Bayfield County

Wisconsin · WI

#2 in Wisconsin
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Bayfield County, Wisconsin

Bayfield shines above national baseline

Bayfield County's composite score of 72.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 44%, ranking it in America's top 30% for livability. This exceptional national standing reflects strong tax advantages, health outcomes, and income levels.

Wisconsin's livability leader

At 72.0, Bayfield ranks notably above Wisconsin's state average of 65.6—among the state's top performers. This positions Bayfield as one of Wisconsin's most livable counties, offering a meaningful quality-of-life advantage over peers.

Tax relief, income, and health excel

Bayfield County leads with an effective tax rate of just 1.066%, the lowest among these eight counties, combined with a Tax Score of 72.3. Median household income reaches $69,609 (Income Score 28.8) and health metrics hit 77.0, reflecting strong medical care and community wellness.

Limited data, but affordability questions

Safety and school data remain unavailable, limiting a complete picture of Bayfield's livability. Housing Cost Score of 80.6 is solid but trails peers like Ashland, and median home values ($228,100) require significant capital investment.

Premium choice for quality seekers

Bayfield County suits affluent families and professionals who prize low taxes, strong health systems, and above-average incomes over maximum affordability. It's Wisconsin's livability standout for those with resources to invest in a higher-quality living environment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.3Cost80.6SafetyComing SoonHealth77SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.8Risk64.9WaterComing Soon
🏛72.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡64.9
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 Bayfield County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723

Deep Dives

Bayfield County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bayfield County

via TaxByCounty

Bayfield has the lowest property taxes regionally

Bayfield County's effective tax rate of 1.066% ranks in the 20th percentile nationally, well below the median U.S. rate. The median tax of $2,432 falls $258 short of the national median, despite Bayfield having a higher median home value of $228,100.

Bayfield ranks among Wisconsin's lowest-tax counties

At 1.066%, Bayfield claims one of Wisconsin's lowest effective tax rates, running well below the state average of 1.436% and ranking in the bottom quarter of the state's 72 counties. The median tax of $2,432 is $649 below Wisconsin's median.

Second only to Burnett in the region

Bayfield's 1.066% rate beats Ashland (1.467%), Adams (1.299%), and Barron (1.424%), trailing only regional champion Burnett (0.952%). This makes Bayfield one of the most tax-efficient counties in northwestern Wisconsin.

A $228,100 home costs about $2,432 yearly

The median Bayfield County home valued at $228,100 generates an annual tax bill of approximately $2,432. With mortgage, that rises to $2,495; without, it dips to $2,367.

Even low-tax counties benefit from assessments review

While Bayfield's rates are already favorable, overassessed properties still exist. A free tax appeal to your local assessor can identify and correct inflated valuations, stretching your tax savings further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bayfield County

via CostByCounty

Bayfield County balances income and rents

Bayfield County's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio beats Wisconsin's 14.9% state average and approaches ideal affordability benchmarks, supported by a relatively strong median household income of $69,609. Monthly rents of $789 remain modest for the income level.

Above-average incomes, below-average rent burden

Bayfield County ranks well statewide with a 13.6% rent-to-income ratio, second-best in this eight-county comparison. The county's $69,609 median income exceeds the state and national medians, making housing costs feel lighter.

Higher home values, best rent-to-income ratio

Bayfield County's $789 monthly rent matches Adams County, but its 13.6% rent-to-income ratio is superior thanks to higher household income. Median home values of $228,100 significantly exceed northern neighbors like Ashland ($160,500), reflecting stronger local demand.

Housing takes 14% of household income

Bayfield County renters spend just 13.6% of their $69,609 household income on $789 monthly rent—nearly optimal affordability. Homeowners with $898/month ownership costs and $228,100 home values enjoy stable equity building with manageable payments.

Best balance: income, rent, home value

Bayfield County combines strong median incomes with low rent-to-income ratios and appreciating home values, making it ideal for households valuing affordability and stability. If you're considering a move to rural Wisconsin, Bayfield's balanced fundamentals offer an attractive entry point.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bayfield County

via IncomeByCounty

Bayfield nearly matches U.S. income median

Bayfield County's median household income of $69,609 sits just $5,146 below the national median of $74,755—a remarkable achievement for a rural Wisconsin county. This near-parity shows Bayfield's stronger economic base relative to most northern Wisconsin peers.

Bayfield exceeds Wisconsin average income

At $69,609, Bayfield falls slightly below Wisconsin's median of $71,715 by $2,106—virtually equal to the state standard. Bayfield's performance ranks it among Wisconsin's stronger rural counties, driven by tourism, forestry, and professional services.

Bayfield leads northern Wisconsin income race

Bayfield's $69,609 outearns every neighboring county in this cohort except Brown ($77,490), including Adams ($59,153), Ashland ($57,645), and Barron ($64,619). Its per capita income of $40,846 ranks second-highest among these eight counties, reflecting stronger middle-class job markets.

Bayfield balances income and housing costs well

With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.6%, Bayfield offers strong housing affordability for its $69,609 median household income. The median home value of $228,100 represents just 3.3 years of median income, comparable to state standards.

Bayfield's income enables aggressive saving

Bayfield's $69,609 median income and 13.6% housing ratio leave substantial room for retirement contributions, education funding, and investment portfolio building. Residents capturing just $250 monthly in long-term investments could accumulate over $130,000 by retirement age.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bayfield County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy exceeds national norms

At 79.4 years, Bayfield County residents live notably longer than the U.S. average of roughly 78 years. Just 14.7% report poor or fair health—well below national averages—suggesting the county supports healthy aging effectively.

Among Wisconsin's healthiest counties

Bayfield County's 79.4-year life expectancy ranks 1.6 years above Wisconsin's 77.8-year average, placing it among the state's top performers. The 14.7% poor/fair health rate reinforces this strength, indicating above-average health outcomes statewide.

Outperforms surrounding regions significantly

Bayfield's 79.4-year life expectancy and 14.7% poor/fair health rate both outpace neighboring Ashland and Burnett counties substantially. This strong performance stands out in the northwest Wisconsin region despite modest population size.

Mental health strength offsets provider gaps

Bayfield County has just 43 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below state averages—but compensates with 239 mental health providers per 100,000, well above typical levels. An 8.1% uninsured rate creates some access barriers despite good mental health infrastructure.

Bridge the coverage gap

8.1% of Bayfield County residents lack insurance despite the county's strong health profile overall. Visit healthcare.gov or BadgerCare+ to explore plans and ensure continuous coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bayfield County

via RiskByCounty

Bayfield County remains very safe

Bayfield County scores 35.08 on the composite risk scale, placing it firmly in the Very Low category and well below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This Lake Superior-adjacent county enjoys substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties.

Among safest Wisconsin counties

Bayfield County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Wisconsin, with a score of 35.08 that sits comfortably below the state average of 59.08. Only a few Wisconsin counties demonstrate comparably favorable natural disaster risk profiles.

Safer than most regional peers

Bayfield County's 35.08 score ranks it safer than neighboring Adams (70.90) and Barron (68.64), though slightly higher risk than Ashland County (31.68). Among its Lake Superior region peers, Bayfield maintains one of the more protective geographic positions.

Flooding remains minimal concern

Bayfield County's flood risk of 33.46 represents its highest natural disaster exposure, though even this remains moderate compared to state averages. Tornado, wildfire, and earthquake risks all score in the low range, with zero hurricane threat.

Basic homeowners insurance suffices

Bayfield County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most property protection needs given the county's low overall risk profile. Those in mapped floodplains should still carry flood insurance, but the vast majority of properties face minimal catastrophic risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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