CountyScore

Dodge County

Wisconsin · WI

#60 in Wisconsin
62.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Dodge County, Wisconsin

Solid performer above national baseline

Dodge County scores 62.6, well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% nationally. The county delivers reliable livability across housing, health, and tax metrics.

Slightly below state average

At 62.6, Dodge ranks just below Wisconsin's 65.6 average, placing it in the middle range statewide. It holds competitive ground against most regional peers.

Balanced affordability and health

Dodge offers cost score of 73.2 with reasonable rent ($963/month) and affordable homes ($218,400). Health outcomes are respectable at 73.9, supporting family well-being.

Income and risk remain moderate

Income score of 31.7 reflects median earnings of $73,992, below state averages. Risk score at 30.1 suggests room for safety and stability improvements.

Great for middle-income stability seekers

Dodge suits middle-class families and workers seeking balanced, affordable living with decent health care and schools. It appeals to those wanting small-town character without extreme isolation or expense.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.5Cost73.2SafetyComing SoonHealth73.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.7Risk30.1WaterComing Soon
🏛58.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.2
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
❤73.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.1
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 Dodge County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Brevard County
Florida
62.6
Median income: $75,817
Leon County
Florida
62.6
Median income: $65,074
Black Hawk County
Iowa
62.6
Median income: $64,581
Yazoo County
Mississippi
62.6
Median income: $40,974
Clay County
Missouri
62.6
Median income: $86,150

Deep Dives

Dodge County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dodge County

via TaxByCounty

Dodge County taxes run above average

Dodge County's 1.554% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.436%, while the median tax bill of $3,395 surpasses the national median of $2,690 by about $705. This premium reflects Dodge's median home value of $218,400 and above-average local service costs.

Dodge ranks above Wisconsin average

At 1.554%, Dodge County's effective rate exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 1.436%, placing it in the higher tier statewide. The median tax of $3,395 also surpasses the state median of $3,081, indicating substantial property tax demands.

Dodge carries a heavier tax load

Dodge's $3,395 median tax ranks second-highest regionally, behind only Dane County's $6,276, and exceeds Columbia's $3,826 depending on the metric. At 1.554%, Dodge's effective rate falls between Clark's 1.506% and Crawford's 1.638%, occupying a middle-to-upper position.

What your annual tax bill looks like

A homeowner with Dodge County's median $218,400 home pays approximately $3,395 per year in property taxes. Notably, mortgaged and owned-outright properties pay similar amounts ($3,388 vs. $3,408), suggesting consistent assessment across residential categories.

You might be overassessed

Dodge County property owners should verify their assessments match current market conditions, especially given the county's above-state-average rates. An assessment appeal costs little and could recover hundreds—or thousands—in annual tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dodge County

via CostByCounty

Dodge's rents outpace income growth

Dodge County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% exceeds national averages, with median rent of $963 running 8% above Wisconsin's state average of $891. Despite household incomes of $73,992 nearly matching national levels, Dodge residents carry above-average housing-cost burden.

Above-average burden statewide

Dodge County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio surpasses Wisconsin's 14.9% average, placing it among less affordable counties statewide. Housing costs have grown faster than income, creating mounting affordability pressure in this south-central county.

Pricier than Clark, cheaper than Dane

Dodge's $963 median rent matches Chippewa and costs significantly more than Clark ($786) and Crawford ($809), but remains a bargain compared to Dane's $1,345. This middle positioning makes Dodge a moderate option for those seeking balance between affordability and market access.

Housing consumes 31% of household income

Dodge residents spend roughly $963 on rent or $1,168 on monthly ownership costs, totaling about 31% of the $73,992 median household income. This allocation mirrors Chippewa and leaves households vulnerable to income disruption or unexpected housing-cost increases.

Dodge appeals to commuters balancing options

Dodge County's moderate housing costs and near-average incomes make it practical for relocators weighing commutes to both Milwaukee and Madison job markets. With a $218,400 median home value and 15.6% rent-to-income ratio, Dodge offers middle-ground affordability without the premium pricing of Dane County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dodge County

via IncomeByCounty

Dodge Matches National Income Trends

Dodge County's median household income of $73,992 sits just $763 below the national median of $74,755, aligning the county with typical American earners. This near-perfect alignment reflects Dodge's position as a balanced, middle-income Wisconsin community.

Slightly Above Wisconsin Average

At $73,992, Dodge County households earn $2,277 more than Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, placing the county in the upper-middle income tier statewide. The modest surplus reflects solid manufacturing and agricultural employment opportunities.

Dodge Anchors Central Wisconsin Economy

Dodge's $73,992 median outpaces Door County ($71,785) and Douglas County ($72,579) while trailing Columbia County ($82,792) and Dane County ($88,108). Among rural and semi-rural peers, Dodge represents a stable, middle-of-the-road income profile.

Housing Remains Affordable

Dodge County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% keeps housing costs manageable, with residents keeping 84% of earnings after rent. The median home value of $218,400 sits comfortably within reach for the typical household earning $73,992.

Dodge County Balanced Wealth Plan

Dodge County households earning $73,992 benefit from solid income and affordable housing to build steady wealth. Establish a diversified investment portfolio, prioritize homeownership as a wealth-building tool, and take advantage of lower living costs to accelerate savings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Dodge County

via HealthByCounty

Dodge's health challenges run deep

At 76.7 years, Dodge's life expectancy slightly edges the U.S. average of 76.4, but the 17.9% poor/fair health rate matches the national average, suggesting chronic disease burden is catching up with residents. The 5.9% uninsured rate is better than national norms, indicating coverage isn't the primary barrier here.

Below Wisconsin average

Dodge's 76.7-year life expectancy falls nearly 1.1 years short of Wisconsin's 77.8-year average, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The 5.9% uninsured rate is slightly better than the state's 7.0%, but coverage alone hasn't bridged the life expectancy gap.

Lowest life expectancy in region

At 76.7 years, Dodge has the shortest life expectancy among regional peers, trailing Dane by 4.1 years and even Clark by just 0.1 years. With 57 primary care providers per 100K, Dodge has moderate access, but 135 mental health providers per 100K suggest untreated behavioral health needs.

Coverage adequate, outcomes lagging

While 94.1% of Dodge residents have insurance, the 17.9% poor/fair health rate suggests chronic disease, lifestyle factors, or healthcare quality issues are limiting longevity. The county's 57 primary care providers per 100K may be insufficient to manage diabetes, hypertension, and obesity prevalence.

Dodge needs health action

With coverage mostly in place, Dodge's challenge now is preventive care and disease management; those 5.9% uninsured should enroll immediately to strengthen their health. Visit healthcare.gov or check BadgerCare+ eligibility to ensure you're not missing prevention opportunities.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dodge County

via RiskByCounty

Dodge's risk exceeds state baseline

Dodge County scores 69.91, rating it as Relatively Low but exceeding Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This positions Dodge in the moderately exposed category relative to national disaster risk patterns.

Above-average risk among Wisconsin peers

Dodge County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Wisconsin counties for natural disaster vulnerability, with a composite score of 69.91 that exceeds most statewide counterparts. Few Wisconsin counties face meaningfully higher overall risk than Dodge.

Riskier than Clark and Chippewa

Dodge County (69.91) surpasses nearby Chippewa County (67.33) and Clark County (68.45) in overall disaster risk, though all three face similar tornado and flood vulnerabilities. Dodge distinguishes itself through elevated wildfire (47.58) and earthquake (36.90) exposure.

Tornadoes emerge as primary threat

Dodge's tornado risk peaks at 85.34, making it the county's dominant natural hazard and notably higher than neighbors. Flood risk reaches 68.00, while wildfire (47.58) and earthquake (36.90) risks significantly exceed state averages, creating a multi-faceted threat profile.

Windstorm coverage especially critical

With tornado risk exceeding 85, Dodge residents must ensure comprehensive windstorm and hail coverage is included in their homeowners insurance. Add flood coverage as well, and consider earthquake insurance given the county's 36.90 earthquake risk score—well above state norms.

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.