CountyScore

Chippewa County

Wisconsin · WI

#25 in Wisconsin
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Chippewa County, Wisconsin

Well above the national average

Chippewa County scores 67.2 out of 100, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0. This puts the county in the top third nationally, reflecting solid livability across affordability, health, and tax burden.

Slightly ahead of Wisconsin

At 67.2, Chippewa ranks just above Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of the state's counties. The county holds its own compared to regional peers.

Health and housing values shine

Chippewa excels in health (77.8) and cost affordability (74.9), with median rent at just $963 per month and homes valued under $240,000. The county also maintains reasonable taxes at 1.159% effective rate.

Income growth lags expectations

Income ranks low at 31.7, with median household earnings at $74,009—below both state and regional counterparts. Risk factors also score modestly at 32.7, suggesting room for economic development.

Best for cost-conscious health seekers

Chippewa appeals to families prioritizing affordable housing, low taxes, and good health outcomes over higher earning potential. It's ideal for retirees and workers in stable, moderate-income fields seeking rural or small-town living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.7Cost74.9SafetyComing SoonHealth77.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.7Risk32.7WaterComing Soon
🏛69.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡32.7
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 Chippewa County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
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67.2
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Garland County
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Median income: $55,409
Berrien County
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67.2
Median income: $50,414

Deep Dives

Chippewa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chippewa County

via TaxByCounty

Chippewa's taxes run below national average

At 1.159%, Chippewa County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.436%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. Property owners here pay roughly $2,754 annually, compared to the national median of $2,690—only about $64 more despite having lower home values.

One of Wisconsin's most affordable counties

Chippewa ranks among Wisconsin's lower-taxed counties with an effective rate of 1.159%, notably below the state average of 1.436%. The median tax bill of $2,754 is also below Wisconsin's median of $3,081, reflecting the county's competitive property tax environment.

Chippewa undercuts regional tax burden

Neighboring Clark County charges 1.506% while Crawford County tops out at 1.638%, making Chippewa's 1.159% rate the most favorable in the region. With a median home value of $237,700, Chippewa homeowners get a better deal than in higher-taxed surrounding counties.

What your annual tax bill looks like

A homeowner with a $237,700 home in Chippewa County pays approximately $2,754 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that bill edges up to $2,784; without one, it drops to $2,719—a manageable spread for most residents.

You might be overassessed

Many Wisconsin homeowners pay more than they should because their properties are assessed above fair market value. If your tax bill has jumped unexpectedly, consider requesting a reassessment review—thousands of Chippewa residents could recover hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chippewa County

via CostByCounty

Chippewa rents slightly above national norm

Chippewa County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% sits above the national benchmark, meaning renters here spend a larger share of their paychecks on housing than the typical American household. The median rent of $963 per month is 8% higher than Wisconsin's state average of $891, despite household incomes nearly matching the national median of $74,755.

Mid-tier affordability in Wisconsin rankings

Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, Chippewa ranks in the middle for affordability—its 15.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 14.9%, but trails the most expensive counties. This positions Chippewa as a reasonably accessible option within the state, though rents have outpaced income growth.

More affordable than Door or Dane Counties

Chippewa's median rent of $963 undercuts nearby Door County ($995) and significantly trails the Madison-area Dane County ($1,345). Yet it costs more than rural neighbors Clark and Crawford Counties, reflecting Chippewa's position as a mid-size county with moderate but rising housing costs.

Housing claims 31% of gross income

Renters spend roughly $963 monthly while homeowners pay $1,055, together totaling about 31% of the median household income of $74,009. This allocation leaves Chippewa households with less discretionary income than national averages, particularly for families juggling multiple housing and living costs.

Consider Chippewa for balanced trade-offs

If you're relocating, Chippewa offers slightly more affordable rents than Door County while maintaining similar incomes to the state average. Comparing its $237,700 median home value against pricier Dane County ($366,100) shows genuine savings for homebuyers willing to embrace a mid-size Wisconsin community.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chippewa County

via IncomeByCounty

Chippewa Tracks National Income Average

Chippewa County's median household income of $74,009 sits just below the national median of $74,755, placing it nearly dead center in America's income distribution. This near-national alignment reflects Chippewa's position as a solidly middle-income county where typical households earn competitive wages.

Outearning Wisconsin on Average

At $74,009, Chippewa County households earn $2,294 more than Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, ranking the county above the middle among Wisconsin's 72 counties. This above-average performance reflects strong local employment and wage stability.

Chippewa Leads the North Woods

Chippewa's $74,009 median outpaces neighboring Clark County ($66,250) and Douglas County ($72,579), making it one of the stronger earners in Wisconsin's northwestern region. The county sits between rural peers and more affluent southern Wisconsin neighbors like Columbia County ($82,792).

Income Leaves Room to Breathe

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.6%, Chippewa County households devote under one-sixth of earnings to rent, well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $237,700 remains accessible for households earning $74,009, supporting both renters and homebuyers.

Build Your Chippewa Wealth Plan

Chippewa County households with median income of $74,009 have solid ground to invest and save after covering housing costs. Start by automating retirement contributions and exploring first-time homebuyer programs to convert your income advantage into long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chippewa County

via HealthByCounty

Chippewa outlives the nation

At 78.8 years, Chippewa County residents live longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a full 2.4-year advantage. The county's 14.9% poor/fair health rate also beats the national average of 18%, reflecting a generally healthier population despite rural challenges.

Wisconsin's upper tier

Chippewa ranks above Wisconsin's average life expectancy of 77.8 years, placing it in the state's stronger health performers. The county's 6.4% uninsured rate outpaces Wisconsin's 7.0% average, meaning more residents have coverage.

Steady health amid rural peers

Chippewa's 78.8-year life expectancy matches Crawford County and edges Clark County (76.8 years) by a healthy margin. With 72 primary care providers per 100K residents, Chippewa has solid access compared to Clark's 20 per 100K, though trails Dane's 128 per 100K.

Access and coverage working

Just 6.4% of Chippewa residents lack health insurance, and the county provides 102 mental health providers per 100K—well above many rural comparisons. This combination of coverage and provider availability supports consistent healthcare access for most residents.

Keep Chippewa covered

With strong baseline coverage, now is the time to review your options through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Wisconsin's Medicaid program. Even small improvements in enrollment can strengthen the county's health gains.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chippewa County

via RiskByCounty

Chippewa's risk sits above average

Chippewa County scores 67.33 on the national composite risk scale, rating it as Relatively Low but above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This means Chippewa faces somewhat elevated natural disaster exposure compared to typical Wisconsin counties, though it remains below the highest-risk counties nationally.

Middle of the pack in Wisconsin

Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, Chippewa ranks in the middle range for overall natural disaster risk. The county's 67.33 score places it well above the lowest-risk Wisconsin counties but comfortably below the state's most vulnerable areas.

Riskier than Clark, safer than Dodge

Compared to nearby counties, Chippewa (67.33) sits between Clark County (68.45) and Dodge County (69.91) in risk exposure. All three are relatively similar in vulnerability, though each faces distinct hazard patterns across flooding, tornadoes, and other threats.

Tornadoes and flooding are primary concerns

Chippewa's tornado risk scores 70.90 and flood risk reaches 71.02, making these the county's dominant natural hazards. Wildfire risk remains low at 20.04, while earthquake (10.27) and hurricane (0.00) threats are minimal for this north-central Wisconsin location.

Flood and storm coverage matter most

With tornado and flood risks both exceeding 70, Chippewa residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance with windstorm and flood endorsements. Review your coverage now—standard homeowners policies often exclude flood damage, leaving gaps that separate insurance during a disaster.

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.