CountyScore

Crawford County

Wisconsin · WI

#28 in Wisconsin
66.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Crawford County, Wisconsin

Strong livability above national norm

Crawford County scores 66.5, well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 35% nationally. The county delivers solid, balanced livability across most indicators.

Just above Wisconsin average

At 66.5, Crawford edges above Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. It outperforms many regional neighbors.

Outstanding housing affordability

Crawford's cost score of 81.7 is the highest in this group, with median rent at $809 and homes at just $175,100. This exceptional affordability, paired with decent health outcomes (74.5), makes it highly accessible.

Income and tax burden challenges

Income scores lowest at 24.8 with median earnings of $63,496—the state's lowest. Effective tax rate of 1.638% is also high, offsetting some affordability gains.

Best for retirees and remote earners

Crawford appeals to retirees, remote workers, and others with stable, non-local income seeking maximum affordability. It's ideal for those prioritizing low housing costs and self-directed lifestyles over local wage opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax56.2Cost81.7SafetyComing SoonHealth74.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.8Risk53.8WaterComing Soon
🏛56.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.8
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 Crawford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Georgia
66.5
Median income: $49,559
Monroe County
Illinois
66.5
Median income: $101,635
White County
Illinois
66.5
Median income: $53,097
Cass County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $61,657
Crawford County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $65,039

Deep Dives

Crawford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Crawford County

via TaxByCounty

Crawford tops national and state averages

Crawford County's 1.638% effective tax rate significantly exceeds both the national median of 1.436% and Wisconsin's state average of 1.436%. At $2,868 annually, the median tax bill runs nearly $180 above the national median, making Crawford among the nation's higher-taxed counties.

Crawford ranks among Wisconsin's highest

Crawford County's 1.638% effective rate stands well above Wisconsin's 1.436% average, positioning it among the state's highest-taxed counties. The median tax of $2,868 also exceeds the state median of $3,081, reflecting a demanding local tax environment.

Crawford carries the regional tax burden

Crawford's 1.638% rate is the highest in the immediate region, outpacing Chippewa at 1.159% and Clark at 1.506%. Even with a lower median home value of $175,100 compared to regional neighbors, Crawford residents face above-average effective tax rates.

What your annual tax bill looks like

A homeowner with Crawford County's median $175,100 home pays approximately $2,868 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill reaches $2,981; without one, it settles at $2,769—a steep cost relative to home value.

You might be overassessed

Crawford County's higher tax rate makes assessment accuracy especially important; even small valuation errors compound into substantial annual costs. Request a formal reassessment if your home's tax value hasn't been updated recently—many overassessed properties yield refunds upon appeal.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Crawford County

via CostByCounty

Crawford stretches tight household budgets

Crawford County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% exceeds the national average, with median household income of $63,496 among the lowest in this group. Though median rent is a modest $809 monthly, this smaller income base means housing absorbs a larger share of Crawford household earnings.

Affordability challenged by lower incomes

Crawford's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio surpasses Wisconsin's 14.9% average despite having the second-lowest median rent in this county set. The county's affordability challenges stem primarily from lower household incomes rather than high housing costs.

Cheap rent, but tight paychecks

Crawford's $809 median rent ranks second-lowest here, beaten only by Clark County's $786. However, Crawford's median income of $63,496 is the lowest in this cohort, making housing cost burden relatively heavier despite modest rents.

Housing claims 32% of household income

Crawford residents spend roughly $809 on rent or $804 on mortgage costs—totaling about 32% of the $63,496 median household income. This leaves Crawford households with the least discretionary income among these counties, straining ability to cover healthcare, childcare, and unexpected expenses.

Consider Crawford only with stable employment

Crawford's low housing costs ($809 rent, $175,100 median home value) appeal to budget-conscious relocators, but the lower median income of $63,496 suggests moving here requires securing above-average local wages. Comparing Crawford's tight margins to higher-income neighbors like Columbia or Dane highlights the importance of job prospects before relocating.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crawford County

via IncomeByCounty

Crawford Lags National Income Standards

Crawford County's median household income of $63,496 falls $11,259 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower income quartile nationally. This gap reflects Crawford's rural character and limited access to high-wage employment sectors.

Among Wisconsin's Lowest Earners

At $63,496, Crawford County households earn $8,219 less than Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, ranking it in the state's lowest income tier. The shortfall signals limited wage growth opportunities and workforce challenges specific to this southwestern Wisconsin county.

Crawford Underperforms Peer Counties

Crawford's $63,496 median ranks lowest among these eight counties, trailing even Clark County ($66,250) and well behind Columbia County ($82,792). The county's rural economy offers fewer high-wage jobs than neighbors to the north and east.

Housing Costs Squeeze Budgets

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.3%, Crawford households dedicate significant earnings to rent, though this remains below the 30% stress threshold. The median home value of $175,100 is affordable on paper but represents a larger share of median household income than in wealthier counties.

Strategic Wealth-Building for Crawford

Crawford County households earning $63,496 must prioritize disciplined budgeting and long-term wealth strategies to build financial security. Focus on education and skill development to increase earning potential, maximize employer retirement benefits, and explore down payment assistance for homeownership.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Crawford County

via HealthByCounty

Crawford exceeds national health

At 78.7 years, Crawford's life expectancy beats the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 2.3 years, and its 17.9% poor/fair health rate edges below the national 18%. The county's 7.0% uninsured rate aligns perfectly with Wisconsin's average, ensuring broad coverage.

Above-average Wisconsin health

Crawford ranks above Wisconsin's 77.8-year state average and matches the state's 7.0% uninsured rate, demonstrating solid health infrastructure and coverage parity. The county's outcomes reflect consistent access and community health engagement.

Peer-leading provider access

Crawford's 78.7-year life expectancy ranks near the top of its region, and at 75 primary care providers per 100K, the county offers some of the best access among rural neighbors. Mental health support at 119 per 100K provides solid behavioral health resources.

Strong access across sectors

Crawford residents enjoy 75 primary care providers and 119 mental health providers per 100K—well-resourced for a rural county—and the 7.0% uninsured rate means nearly everyone has a healthcare home. This combination supports preventive care and early intervention.

Crawford's coverage works—join in

With 93% of Crawford residents covered, the county has built strong health equity; if you're in the 7% uninsured, enrollment through the marketplace or BadgerCare+ extends your access to primary and preventive care. Get started at healthcare.gov today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Crawford County

via RiskByCounty

Crawford's risk well below state average

Crawford County scores 46.22, earning the lowest composite risk rating of Relatively Low and sitting well below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This places Crawford among the safer counties nationally for natural disaster exposure.

Wisconsin's safest county profile

Crawford County ranks as one of Wisconsin's lowest-risk counties for natural disasters, with a composite score of 46.22 that puts it in the bottom tier of vulnerability statewide. Few Wisconsin counties enjoy lower disaster risk than Crawford.

Safest in its region by far

Crawford County (46.22) faces substantially lower risk than Door County (46.88) and dramatically less than Columbia County (81.42) or Dane County (93.86). This southwestern Wisconsin location enjoys genuine protection from the hazard patterns that threaten other parts of the state.

Flood and tornado risks remain modest

Crawford's tornado risk reaches 58.43 and flood risk stands at 56.11—both moderate but the county's primary concerns. Wildfire (13.93), earthquake (19.94), and hurricane (8.14) risks all remain low, creating a relatively balanced hazard profile.

Standard coverage protects most Crawford homes

With moderate flood and tornado risks as the main threats, Crawford residents can often rely on standard homeowners insurance for basic protection. However, consider a flood policy rider since even moderate flood risk can cause significant damage, and standard policies exclude flood coverage.

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.