countyscore
39.4
County Score
Health 96.5Income & Jobs 89.5Soil Quality 72.8

County Report Card

About Calumet County, Wisconsin

Calumet Below the National Median

Calumet County’s composite score of 39.2 sits significantly below the national median of 50.0. While it has pockets of extreme strength, social and tax factors drag down its overall ranking. This score places it in the bottom third of counties nationwide.

Trailing Wisconsin Average Performance

With a 39.2 score, Calumet County lags behind the Wisconsin state average of 50.3. The county presents a polarized data profile, with elite economic metrics but very low safety and tax scores. It remains a statistical outlier within the state.

Elite Incomes and Health Outcomes

Calumet County boasts a world-class health score of 96.5 and a dominant income score of 90.7. The median household income is a high $87,700, making it one of the wealthiest counties in the region. Residents here enjoy exceptional financial and medical resources.

Severe Safety and Tax Issues

The county struggles with a critically low safety score of 5.7 and a tax score of 12.0. A high effective tax rate of 1.519% and high housing costs (cost score 22.1) create a high barrier to entry. These factors represent the primary challenges for local growth.

Best for Wealthy Professionals

This county is tailored for high earners who prioritize elite healthcare and high wages over local safety statistics. With a median income of $87,700, it caters to those who can afford high taxes and home values. It is a premier location for individuals focused on personal wealth and health.

2040608010014.421.55.796.547.489.569.845.551.9Tax14.4Cost21.5Safety5.7Health96.5Schools47.4Income89.5Risk69.8Water45.5Weather51.939.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Calumet County DNA

Foverall

How Calumet County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Calumet County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (96.5/100) but notably weak in Safety (5.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
14.4-37.6
Cost
21.5-26.5
Safety
5.7-49.3
Health
96.5+46.5
Schools
47.4
Income
89.5+38.5
Risk
69.8+22.799999999999997
Water
45.5-12.5
Weather
51.9
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Calumet County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$274,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,073/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$274,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$42,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $88,810/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

26.6

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
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Clay County
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Cape May County
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Seminole County
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39.4

Nearby counties

Fond du Lac County
Wisconsin
48
Winnebago County
Wisconsin
45.9
Manitowoc County
Wisconsin
53
Sheboygan County
Wisconsin
49.5
Outagamie County
Wisconsin
48.2
Brown County
Wisconsin
44.2
Waupaca County
Wisconsin
55.2
Washington County
Wisconsin
53

Deep Dives

Calumet County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Calumet County

via TaxByCounty

Calumet has the region's highest tax rate

Calumet County's effective tax rate of 1.519% ranks near the 60th percentile nationally, above the median U.S. rate. The median tax of $3,830 towers $1,140 above the national median, driven by Calumet's higher median home value of $252,100.

Calumet ranks among Wisconsin's highest-tax counties

At 1.519%, Calumet's effective rate exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 1.436%, placing it in the upper quarter of the state's 72 counties. The median tax of $3,830 is $749 above Wisconsin's median of $3,081.

Highest burden in this survey of eight counties

Calumet's 1.519% rate edges above Brown (1.461%) and significantly exceeds all other surveyed counties, making it the costliest tax jurisdiction in this regional sample. It runs more than 0.5 percentage points above Burnett (0.952%).

A $252,100 home costs about $3,830 yearly

The median Calumet County home valued at $252,100 generates an annual tax bill of approximately $3,830. With mortgage, that climbs to $3,938; without, it drops to $3,677.

Appeal inflated assessments to reduce your burden

Calumet homeowners paying the region's highest taxes should scrutinize whether their properties are fairly assessed. Filing a free tax appeal with your local assessor is essential if your valuation exceeds recent comparable home sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Calumet County

via IncomeByCounty

Calumet exceeds U.S. income benchmarks clearly

Calumet County's median household income of $87,700 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $12,945—a commanding 17% advantage. This substantial premium places Calumet among America's more affluent rural counties.

Calumet leads Wisconsin income rankings

At $87,700, Calumet County dramatically exceeds Wisconsin's median of $71,715 by $15,985, ranking it among the state's top counties by household income. This high standing reflects Calumet's strong manufacturing base, skilled workforce, and tight labor markets.

Calumet outearns all comparison counties decisively

Calumet's $87,700 median household income stands highest among all eight counties in this analysis, surpassing Brown County ($77,490) by $10,210. This income leadership reflects Calumet's robust industrial economy and premium manufacturing employment.

Calumet combines high income with affordability

At 13.7%, Calumet's rent-to-income ratio matches the state's best affordability metrics, leaving substantial household budget flexibility. The median home value of $252,100 represents just 2.9 years of median income—excellent equity-building potential for residents.

Calumet households maximize wealth potential

Calumet's $87,700 median income and 13.7% housing ratio create exceptional capacity for aggressive wealth building—maxing retirement accounts, investing in taxable portfolios, and accelerating home equity. Households dedicating 20% of income to investments could accumulate $600,000+ by retirement.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Calumet County

via CrimeByCounty

High Activity and Safety Needs

Calumet County reports a total crime rate of 3349.8 per 100K, which exceeds the national average of 2,385.5. This leads to a local safety score of 94.7.

Above the State Crime Average

The county’s safety score is lower than the Wisconsin average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 3349.8 is more than triple the state average of 1103.1 per 100K.

Comparing Regional Safety Trends

Calumet County reports significantly more crime than neighboring Brown County (1464.2) and Buffalo County (412.7). Seven agencies are active in managing this higher volume of reports.

Understanding Property Crime Volume

Property crime is the primary driver here at 2857.1 per 100K, while the violent crime rate is 492.7. These figures indicate that property incidents are much more common than violent encounters.

Invest in Proactive Protection

Given the higher local crime rates, professional home security monitoring is a wise investment. Proactive measures can significantly reduce a household's vulnerability to property crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Calumet County

via WeatherByCounty

Typical Great Lakes Annual Averages

Calumet County averages 45.5°F annually, which is about 8.5 degrees below the national median. The climate is characterized by significant seasonal variations and moderate precipitation.

Slightly Above the Wisconsin Average

With an annual temperature of 45.5°F, Calumet is roughly 1.1 degrees warmer than the Wisconsin state average. It ranks as one of the more temperate counties in the eastern part of the state.

Warmer and Wrier Than Buffalo

Calumet is drier than Buffalo County, receiving 3.5 inches less precipitation annually. It is slightly warmer than neighboring Brown County, averaging 45.5°F compared to Brown's 45.0°F.

Milder Winters and Warm July

The county averages 43.4 inches of snow annually, which is on the lower end for Wisconsin. January stays relatively mild for the state at 17.8°F, while July averages a warm 70.7°F.

Moderate Year-Round Weather Preparation

Residents should plan for 7 days of extreme heat with functional cooling systems. Winter maintenance is standard for the region, as snowfall totals are manageable at 43.4 inches.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Calumet County

via SoilByCounty

Fertile Alfisols of Calumet

Calumet County boasts a pH of 6.12, putting it much closer to the national median of 6.5 than the state average of 5.63. These are primarily Alfisols, which are known globally for being some of the best soils for agriculture.

Ideal Silt Loam Texture

With 40.7% sand, 35.1% silt, and 13.9% clay, this silt loam is a 'Goldilocks' soil. It provides enough clay for nutrition, enough silt for water, and enough sand for easy digging.

Reliable Water and Matter

Organic matter is 5.68%, more than double the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity of 0.192 in/in ensures that your plants stay hydrated even during a typical Wisconsin dry spell.

Well-Drained Agricultural Land

The soil is well-drained and belongs to hydrologic group C, suggesting it handles rainfall without excessive runoff. This makes Calumet County a top-tier location for both residential development and diverse farming.

Abundant Harvests in Zone 5b

In the mild Zone 5b, the growing possibilities are nearly endless for vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees. This fertile silt loam is just waiting for you to start your first garden bed.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Calumet County

via LawnByCounty

Solid Growing Ground in Calumet

Calumet County offers a hospitable lawn difficulty score of 65.9, slightly beating the Wisconsin state average. Located in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, it benefits from a more moderate climate than the northern half of the state. These conditions provide a reliable baseline for homeowners seeking a standard, manageable yard.

Ideal Rainfall and Growing Energy

The county receives 33.0 inches of annual precipitation, which is well-balanced for the 2,437 growing degree days available. With only 7 days of extreme heat, the grass stays active without entering the deep summer dormancy seen in warmer states. The July average of 70.7°F ensures that mowing will be a regular weekly task for most of the season.

Excellent Silt Loam Foundations

Calumet County features high-quality silt loam soil, which is generally considered the gold standard for gardening. The soil pH of 6.12 is nearly perfect, falling right within the ideal 6.0-7.0 window for turfgrass health. This well-drained foundation allows for deep rooting and efficient nutrient absorption with minimal amendment.

Water Management During Dry Spells

Despite the good soil, 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry after 22 weeks of drought over the past year. Because silt loam holds moisture well, Calumet lawns may resist browning longer than those in sandy counties. Nevertheless, supplemental watering is currently recommended to prevent long-term root damage.

A Long and Productive Season

Residents in Zone 5b can enjoy a long growing season that typically begins after May 6 and lasts until October 14. Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass thrive here, especially when seeded in the late summer window of August. This timing takes advantage of the county's excellent soil and the cooling autumn temperatures.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Calumet County's county score?
Calumet County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 39.4 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 Calumet County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Calumet County ranks #67 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 Calumet County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Calumet County is $3,877, with an effective tax rate of 1.41%. This earns Calumet County a tax score of 14.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Calumet County?
The median household income in Calumet County, Wisconsin is $88,810 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Calumet County earns an income score of 89.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Calumet County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Calumet County scores 39.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #67 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Calumet 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 Calumet County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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.