CountyScore

Clark County

Wisconsin · WI

#65 in Wisconsin
61.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Clark County, Wisconsin

Solid performer above national median

Clark County scores 61.8, substantially higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% nationally. The county demonstrates competitive livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below state average

Clark ranks below Wisconsin's average of 65.6 at 61.8, putting it in the lower-middle segment of state counties. Despite this, it remains well above the national baseline.

Exceptional housing affordability

Clark's standout strength is cost at 80.9, with median rent just $786 per month and homes under $164,000. This makes it one of Wisconsin's most affordable counties for renters and first-time buyers.

Income and health need support

Income scores poorly at 26.6 with median earnings of $66,250, among the state's lowest. Health also lags at 60.1, suggesting potential public health improvements are needed.

Perfect for budget-conscious families

Clark County suits families and individuals seeking maximum housing affordability in Wisconsin without breaking the bank on taxes. It's ideal for remote workers, retirees on fixed incomes, or those building wealth in low-cost areas.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.9Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth60.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.6Risk31.6WaterComing Soon
🏛59.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡31.6
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 Clark County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Maricopa County
Arizona
61.8
Median income: $85,518
Mendocino County
California
61.8
Median income: $64,688
Flagler County
Florida
61.8
Median income: $72,923
Jefferson County
Illinois
61.8
Median income: $61,102
Cowley County
Kansas
61.8
Median income: $58,263

Deep Dives

Clark County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clark County

via TaxByCounty

Clark County slightly above national rates

At 1.506%, Clark County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.436%, landing it slightly higher than average U.S. counties. However, the median tax of $2,467 remains below the national median of $2,690, thanks to Clark's lower median home values of $163,800.

Clark ranks mid-tier among Wisconsin counties

Clark County's 1.506% effective rate sits above Wisconsin's state average of 1.436%, placing it in the middle range statewide. At $2,467, the median tax bill falls well below the state median of $3,081, reflecting the county's affordable housing market.

Higher rate but lower absolute taxes

While Clark's 1.506% rate exceeds Chippewa's 1.159%, Clark homeowners pay only $2,467 annually versus Chippewa's $2,754—about $287 less, thanks to significantly lower home values. This demonstrates how tax rates and absolute costs don't always align regionally.

What your annual tax bill looks like

A homeowner with Clark County's median $163,800 home pays approximately $2,467 per year in property taxes. Mortgaged properties face $2,531 in taxes, while owned-outright homes pay $2,388—a modest $143 difference.

You might be overassessed

Many Clark County homeowners pay more than they should due to inflated property assessments. If your tax burden has grown faster than your home's value, an appeal could potentially save you hundreds of dollars—a relatively simple process worth pursuing.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clark County

via CostByCounty

Clark offers below-average rental costs

Clark County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% beats the national pattern, making it one of Wisconsin's more affordable rental markets. Median rent of just $786 per month runs 12% below the state average of $891, even though household incomes lag the national median by about $8,500.

Among Wisconsin's cheapest rentals

Clark County ranks among the most affordable counties statewide, with a 14.2% rent-to-income ratio well below Wisconsin's 14.9% average. This budget-friendly profile makes Clark attractive to renters prioritizing affordability over proximity to major urban centers.

Cheapest rents in this regional cluster

Clark's $786 median rent is the lowest among its neighbors—Crawford ($809), Chippewa ($963), and Dodge ($963) all cost significantly more. For renters on tight budgets, Clark delivers measurable savings compared to surrounding counties.

Just 27% of income goes to housing

Clark households allocate roughly $786 in rent or $881 in mortgage costs, totaling about 27% of the $66,250 median household income. This leaves Clark residents more breathing room in their budgets than most Wisconsin counties, supporting lower overall cost-of-living pressure.

Budget-conscious relocators should explore Clark

If you're seeking the lowest rental costs in central Wisconsin, Clark County delivers with its $786 median rent and 14.2% rent-to-income ratio. The modest median home value of $163,800 further solidifies Clark as Wisconsin's most wallet-friendly housing option among these counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clark County

via IncomeByCounty

Clark Falls Below National Income Mark

Clark County's median household income of $66,250 lags the national median of $74,755 by $8,505, placing the county in the lower-middle income tier nationally. This gap reflects regional economic patterns common to rural Wisconsin counties.

Below Average for Wisconsin

At $66,250, Clark County households earn $5,465 less than Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, ranking the county in the lower half of Wisconsin's income distribution. The shortfall suggests fewer high-wage job opportunities locally compared to state averages.

Clark Lags Its Regional Peers

Clark County's $66,250 median trails neighboring Chippewa County ($74,009) by $7,759 and falls below Crawford County ($63,496) and Dodge County ($73,992). The variance across northwestern Wisconsin highlights income disparities even among geographically close communities.

Rents Stay Manageable Here

Clark County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% is the lowest in this county comparison, meaning renters keep nearly 86% of earnings after housing costs. The median home value of $163,800 remains well within reach for the median household income.

Clark County Wealth-Building Path

Clark County households earning $66,250 face a tighter wealth-building timeline but benefit from lower housing costs that free up cash for savings. Prioritize building an emergency fund, then leverage lower real estate prices to enter the homeowner wealth-building track.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clark County

via HealthByCounty

Clark faces health headwinds

At 76.8 years, Clark County's life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 76.4 years by only a sliver, but the county's 18.7% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds the national 18%, signaling underlying health challenges. The 20% uninsured rate—nearly triple Wisconsin's 7.0%—is a critical barrier to healthcare access.

Among Wisconsin's lowest

Clark ranks near the bottom of Wisconsin counties on life expectancy and uninsured rate; at 20% uninsured, it's drastically worse than the state's 7.0% average. This coverage gap directly impacts residents' ability to manage chronic conditions and access preventive care.

Struggling relative to peers

Clark's 76.8-year life expectancy is the lowest among its regional neighbors, trailing Chippewa by 2 years and Crawford by nearly 2. With only 20 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in this cohort—residents face substantial travel and scheduling barriers.

Coverage crisis threatens health

One in five Clark County residents (20%) are uninsured, meaning they delay care, skip prescriptions, and avoid preventive checkups due to cost. Even mental health services at 63 per 100K fall below rural averages, leaving residents isolated from both primary and behavioral health support.

Clark needs coverage now

If you're among the 20% uninsured, enrollment in a marketplace plan or BadgerCare+ could be life-changing—reducing your medical debt and improving health outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov or WI.gov/BadgerCare to explore no-cost or low-cost options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clark County

via RiskByCounty

Clark's composite risk exceeds state norm

Clark County scores 68.45 on the composite risk scale, rating it as Relatively Low but surpassing Wisconsin's average of 59.08. This places Clark in the moderately exposed category when compared to the national disaster risk distribution.

Upper-middle risk among Wisconsin counties

Clark County ranks among Wisconsin's higher-risk counties for natural disasters, though it still falls short of the state's most vulnerable areas. The county's 68.45 score reflects exposure patterns that exceed most of its peers statewide.

Similar risks to nearby Chippewa

Clark County (68.45) and Chippewa County (67.33) face nearly identical overall disaster risk levels. Both counties share strong tornado and flood vulnerabilities, making preparedness strategies similar across this north-central Wisconsin region.

Tornadoes and floods dominate the threat

Clark's tornado risk reaches 71.69 and flood risk stands at 69.12, positioning these two hazards as the county's primary natural disaster concerns. Wildfire risk is minimal at 19.78, while earthquake (14.12) and hurricane (0.00) threats remain negligible.

Windstorm and flood coverage essential here

With tornado risk above 71 and flood risk near 70, Clark residents need robust homeowners insurance that includes windstorm protection and separate flood coverage. Act now to close coverage gaps before severe weather strikes—many policies don't cover flooding without explicit add-ons.

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.