countyscore
51.4
County Score
Safety 78.7Soil Quality 69.4Schools 68.5

County Report Card

About Clark County, Wisconsin

Outperforming the National Median

Clark County secures a composite score of 51.4, which puts it slightly ahead of the national median of 50.0. This performance suggests a higher overall quality of life than roughly half of the counties in the United States.

A Leader in State Livability

With a score of 51.4, Clark County outperforms the Wisconsin state average of 50.3. It stands as a reliable regional performer, particularly regarding community security and housing affordability.

Exceptional Safety and Affordable Housing

The county excels with a safety score of 78.7 and a school score of 68.5. Homebuyers find value here, as the cost score of 54.8 is supported by a modest median home value of $163,800.

Managing High Taxes and Water Quality

Taxation is a significant hurdle with a score of 12.6, driven by an effective tax rate of 1.506%. Additionally, the water score of 22.0 indicates room for improvement in local infrastructure and resource management.

The Ideal Safe Haven for Families

Clark County is a top choice for families seeking a secure environment with affordable housing and respectable schools. It rewards those who prioritize community safety over low property tax rates.

2040608010012.654.878.741.268.557.631.62250.1Tax12.6Cost54.8Safety78.7Health41.2Schools68.5Income57.6Risk31.6Water22Weather50.151.4/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Clark County DNA

Foverall

How Clark County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Clark County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (78.7/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (12.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
12.6-39.4
Cost
54.8
Safety
78.7+23.700000000000003
Health
41.2-8.799999999999997
Schools
68.5+14.5
Income
57.6
Risk
31.6-15.399999999999999
Water
22-36
Weather
50.1
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Clark County?

Many homeowners in Clark 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

$163,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$786/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$163,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,250/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

2.9

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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Nearby counties

Jackson County
Wisconsin
49.6
Eau Claire County
Wisconsin
50.8
Taylor County
Wisconsin
51.7
Wood County
Wisconsin
53.1
Chippewa County
Wisconsin
42.5
Marathon County
Wisconsin
49.5
Monroe County
Wisconsin
41.9
Trempealeau County
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56

Deep Dives

Clark County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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

Safety in Clark County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Levels in Clark County

Clark County is exceptionally safe, posting a total crime rate of just 507.2 per 100k. This impressive figure far outpaces the national average and earns the county a 99.2 safety score.

Clark Leads State Safety Averages

The county outperforms the Wisconsin average safety score of 98.3. Its total crime rate remains less than half of the statewide average of 1,103.1 per 100k.

Safety Comparisons with Nearby Chippewa

Clark County offers a much more tranquil environment than neighboring Chippewa County, where the crime rate reaches 3,314.5. Seven local agencies coordinate to maintain these high safety standards.

Breakdown of Local Crime Statistics

Violent crime is rare at 69.2 per 100k, well below the national benchmark of 369.8. Property crime accounts for 438.0 per 100k, representing the majority of reported incidents.

Maintaining Security in Safe Neighborhoods

While crime is low, maintaining basic home security is a smart practice for all residents. Simple measures like locking all entry points and using outdoor lighting keep Clark County neighborhoods secure.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Clark County

via SchoolsByCounty

Education Rooted in Rural Clark County

Clark County manages 21 public schools across eight districts, serving a total of 4,581 students. The landscape is evenly split between primary and secondary education, featuring 8 elementary schools and 8 high schools. This infrastructure ensures local access to education across the county's expansive territory.

Strong Graduation Success on a Budget

The county achieves a stellar 94.1% graduation rate, which is over 7% higher than the national average. Despite spending only $7,613 per pupil—well below the national average of $13,000—Clark County maintains a school score of 57.0. These figures highlight an exceptionally efficient education system that prioritizes student completion.

Colby and Neillsville Lead the Way

The Colby School District stands as the largest in the county, educating 918 students across four schools. Neillsville School District follows closely, serving 844 students within its three campuses. The county currently offers traditional public school options, with 0% of its schools operating under charter status.

The Ultimate Rural School Experience

Every one of the county's 21 schools is classified as rural, offering an intimate learning environment with an average school size of just 218 students. The largest campus, Abbotsford Middle/Senior High, enrolls 404 students, while many elementary schools maintain much smaller cohorts. This environment fosters close-knit connections between teachers, students, and the community.

Find Your Home in a Dedicated Community

Clark County is an ideal destination for those seeking a traditional rural lifestyle paired with high educational standards. The exceptional graduation rates and small school sizes provide a personalized experience for every student. Start your home search here to join a community that truly values its local schools.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Clark County

via WaterByCounty

Critical Drinking Water Compliance Challenges

Clark County receives an F grade due to 11 health violations over the past five years. The violation rate of 109.6 per 100,000 residents is much higher than the Wisconsin average of 76.3. These figures indicate significant recurring issues with meeting Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

High Rates of Local Watershed Impairment

Approximately 13.8% of assessed water bodies in Clark County fail to meet Clean Water Act standards as of 2022. This impairment rate is nearly double the Wisconsin average of 7.6%. Total phosphorus and mercury are the leading pollutants impacting these 49 assessed water bodies.

Current Water Quality Monitoring Efforts

Environmental agencies monitor 33 sites across the county, totaling 2,367 measurements in the last five years. Monitoring emphasizes organics, pesticides, and physical traits to assess local water health. The footprint is smaller than neighboring counties, suggesting potential gaps in long-term data.

Black River Flow Hits Historic Lows

The Black River at Neillsville is currently flowing at 196 cfs, which is just 31% of its long-term mean. This significant reduction in flow indicates a dry period that can stress aquatic ecosystems and source water supplies. Low volume often leads to higher water temperatures and reduced oxygen levels.

Guidance for Clark County Residents

With high drinking water violations and low streamflow, residents should prioritize home water filtration and testing. The high percentage of impaired waters suggests a need for caution regarding nutrient runoff and mercury. Stay informed about local water utility notices given the current compliance grade.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Clark County

via WeatherByCounty

A truly cold northern climate

Clark County's average annual temperature of 42.7°F is nearly 11 degrees colder than the national median. This reflects its position in a classic continental zone where winter dominates the calendar.

One of Wisconsin's colder regions

Averaging 42.7°F annually, Clark County is significantly cooler than the state average of 44.4°F. It consistently ranks among the colder third of all Wisconsin counties.

Cooler than neighboring Chippewa

Clark County is a full degree cooler than neighboring Chippewa County to the northwest. However, Clark receives more moisture, with 34.9 inches of annual precipitation compared to the state average of 34.5 inches.

Brisk winters and rare heat

The county sees only 4 days of extreme heat above 90°F, making for very mild summers. Winter brings a sharp chill, with January averages dipping to 12.9°F and annual snowfall reaching 47.3 inches.

Focus on insulation and winter gear

Winter averages of 16.5°F make high-grade home insulation and reliable heating systems a top priority. Outdoor planning should focus on the short growing season, as summer averages only 66.4°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Clark County

via SoilByCounty

Deeply Acidic and Nutrient-Rich Earth

Clark County's soil is notably acidic with a pH of 5.24, falling well below both the state average and the national median of 6.5. Despite this acidity, the county maintains a soil score of 69.4, outperforming the state average of 68.2. This indicates a high-potential landscape that simply needs careful pH management.

Silt-Heavy and Light on Clay

The soil profile consists of 37.9% sand and 32.8% silt, with a very low clay content of 8.5%. This lack of clay makes the soil easy to till and prevents the heavy compaction often found in southern counties. However, the high sand ratio means water may move through the profile quickly.

Elite Organic Matter Levels

With a massive 16.26% organic matter content, Clark County exceeds both the state average of 11.02% and the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity of 0.210 in/in also beats the state benchmark. This creates a fertile environment that naturally supports robust plant growth and moisture retention.

Managing High Moisture Retention

The high available water capacity suggests that while drainage data is limited, the soil holds onto moisture effectively. This trait is a boon for agriculture during late summer heat but can lead to soggy conditions in the spring. Proper site grading is essential for any building projects in these organic-rich soils.

Thriving in the Heart of Zone 4b

Zone 4b gardeners can leverage this high organic matter to grow heavy-feeding crops like pumpkins and squash. The acidic nature of the soil is also ideal for blueberries and other acid-loving shrubs. This is a prime location to build a productive home garden or a thriving orchard.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Clark County

via LawnByCounty

Cooler Conditions for Clark County Turf

Clark County earns a 61.3 lawn difficulty score, making it slightly more challenging than the state average but still easier than most of the nation. This Zone 4b region experiences cold winters that require hardy, resilient grass varieties. You are working with a solid foundation that beats the national median by over 11 points.

Abundant Water for Growing Lawns

Annual precipitation of 34.9 inches exceeds the state average and provides an excellent natural baseline for hydration. With only 4 extreme heat days per year, your grass faces very little stress from high temperatures compared to southern neighbors. The 2,111 growing degree days suggest a slightly slower growth rate, which can actually mean less frequent mowing.

Correcting Low Soil pH

At a pH of 5.24, Clark County soil is notably acidic and will almost certainly need lime to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. The soil contains 37.9% sand and a low 8.5% clay, suggesting a fairly light texture that may struggle to hold onto nutrients. Frequent, light fertilizing is often more effective than heavy applications in these conditions.

Resilient Landscapes in Clark

While 37.8% of the county is currently abnormally dry, the region only faced 11 weeks of drought over the past year. This relatively stable moisture profile allows for flexible watering schedules, though consistency is key for young turf. Target deep, infrequent watering to encourage the roots to reach deeper into the soil for moisture.

Targeting the Mid-May Window

The growing window in Clark County is defined by a last spring frost on May 13 and a first fall frost on October 1. Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass are excellent choices for this 4b zone, providing the durability needed for Wisconsin winters. Start your lawn projects in late May to take full advantage of the warming soil and natural spring rain.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clark County's county score?
Clark County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 51.4 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 Clark County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Clark County ranks #37 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 Clark County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Clark County is $2,467, with an effective tax rate of 1.51%. This earns Clark County a tax score of 12.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clark County?
The median household income in Clark County, Wisconsin is $66,250 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clark County earns an income score of 57.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clark County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Clark County scores 51.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #37 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Clark 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 Clark County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.