CountyScore

Door County

Wisconsin · WI

#13 in Wisconsin
68.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Door County, Wisconsin

Top performer nationally

Door County scores 68.9, the highest in this group and well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% nationally. The county delivers excellent overall livability.

Ranks above state average

At 68.9, Door leads Wisconsin's 65.6 average and ranks in the state's top tier. Few Wisconsin counties match Door's balanced livability profile.

Exceptional tax advantage

Door's tax score of 71.5 is the highest in this group, with an effective rate of just 1.095%. Combined with reasonable cost (74.0) and solid health (77.5), it offers excellent value.

Income potential below expectations

Income score of 30.2 with median earnings of $71,785 suggests limited higher-wage opportunities. Risk score of 53.1 indicates moderate safety and stability concerns.

Perfect for tax-conscious lifestyle seekers

Door County suits retirees, remote workers, and families seeking scenic beauty, low taxes, and community character. It appeals to those prioritizing quality of life and environmental amenities over career advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.5Cost74SafetyComing SoonHealth77.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.2Risk53.1WaterComing Soon
🏛71.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.1
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 Door County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Coffee County
Alabama
68.9
Median income: $64,672
Walker County
Alabama
68.9
Median income: $54,509
Arkansas County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $60,831
Jackson County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $41,215
Sevier County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $51,641

Deep Dives

Door County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Door County

via TaxByCounty

Door County's rates rank lowest regionally

Door County's effective tax rate of 1.095% is remarkably low—ranking in the bottom tier nationally and sitting well below the national median of 1.436%. Despite higher median home values of $305,800, Door residents pay $3,350 annually, moderate compared to their property values.

Door County taxes rank well below state average

At 1.095%, Door County's effective rate stands significantly below Wisconsin's 1.436% state average, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly counties. The median tax of $3,350 aligns closely with the state median of $3,081, despite Door's higher home values.

Door offers the best regional tax rate

Door's 1.095% rate beats every neighboring county profiled, including Chippewa's 1.159% and Douglas's 1.347%, making it the region's most favorable tax environment. For homeowners with $305,800 median properties, Door's effective rate provides exceptional value.

What your annual tax bill looks like

A homeowner with Door County's median $305,800 home pays approximately $3,350 per year in property taxes. Interestingly, mortgaged properties pay $3,146 while owned-outright homes pay $3,602—a $456 difference suggesting varied assessment practices.

You might be overassessed

Even in Door County's favorable tax environment, property owners should verify their assessments against recent market sales. An appeal is simple and could yield hundreds in savings—especially valuable in a high-value housing market.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Door County

via CostByCounty

Door's scenic charm carries housing premium

Door County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% ranks highest among these eight counties and exceeds national averages, driven by median rent of $995 and median home value of $305,800. This premium reflects the county's status as a tourist destination and sought-after residential community, despite household incomes of just $71,785.

Wisconsin's most housing-burdened county here

Door County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio is the highest statewide among this group, significantly exceeding Wisconsin's 14.9% average. The county's popularity as a retreat destination has driven property values and rents far above what local incomes typically support.

Pricier than most, cheaper than Dane alone

Door's $995 median rent exceeds Chippewa ($963), Dodge ($963), and all others except Dane ($1,345). Similarly, Door's $305,800 median home value ranks second-highest after Dane, reflecting its appeal to affluent buyers seeking waterfront and recreational properties.

Housing takes 34% of household budgets

Door residents allocate roughly $995 in rent or $1,074 in monthly ownership costs, totaling about 34% of the $71,785 median household income. This leaves Door households with less discretionary income than most Wisconsin counties, despite the county's natural beauty and recreational advantages.

Door requires strong attachment to location

Door County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio and $305,800 median home value make it Wisconsin's most expensive option here outside Dane County. Only relocate to Door if remote work, seasonal employment, or substantial savings offset the premium you'll pay for scenic living and recreational lifestyle.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Door County

via IncomeByCounty

Door Slightly Below National Income

Door County's median household income of $71,785 trails the national median of $74,755 by $2,970, placing the county marginally below typical American earnings. This near-alignment masks Door's unique economic structure dominated by tourism and seasonal employment.

Door Below Wisconsin Average

At $71,785, Door County households earn just $70 less than Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, placing the county precisely at the state median. The near-parity masks income volatility from seasonal tourism fluctuations that characterize Door's economy.

Door Competes with Regional Peers

Door's $71,785 median sits between Douglas County ($72,579) and Dodge County ($73,992) while trailing Columbia County ($82,792) and Chippewa County ($74,009). As a tourism-dependent economy, Door's income profile differs from manufacturing-focused neighbors.

High Housing Costs Pinch Renters

Door County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% is elevated, reflecting the county's popular real estate market and tourist-driven inflation. The median home value of $305,800 consumes 51% of annual household income, posing affordability challenges for buyers and renters alike.

Door County Seasonal Savings Strategy

Door County households earning $71,785 face seasonal income volatility that demands strategic financial planning to build wealth. Create a robust emergency fund to cover seasonal gaps, invest offseason earnings aggressively, and explore diversified income streams beyond tourism.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Door County

via HealthByCounty

Door outlives the nation

Door residents live to 80.2 years—3.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4—placing the county among America's healthiest. The 15.7% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national 18%, reflecting strong baseline health status across the population.

Wisconsin's top tier

Door's 80.2-year life expectancy ranks among Wisconsin's highest, exceeding the state average of 77.8 by 2.4 years. At 7.3% uninsured, Door slightly edges above Wisconsin's 7.0% average, but coverage remains nearly universal.

Coastal health advantage

Door's 80.2-year life expectancy ranks second only to Dane (80.8) in the region, reflecting a healthier-than-average population and likely lifestyle benefits of the county's affluent, health-conscious communities. With 69 primary care and 128 mental health providers per 100K, Door offers solid rural access.

Access and longevity aligned

Door's 92.7% coverage rate and robust provider availability—69 primary care and 128 mental health per 100K—enable residents to sustain the county's exceptional longevity. The 15.7% poor/fair health rate, while above some peers, reflects an aging affluent population managing well-documented chronic conditions.

Door's health momentum continues

Door's strong health outcomes show the value of coverage and access; if you're uninsured, enrollment through the marketplace keeps you aligned with the county's health leadership. Explore plans at healthcare.gov to lock in your coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Door County

via RiskByCounty

Door's risk slightly below state norm

Door County scores 46.88, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting slightly below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This places Door among the safer U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure overall.

Among Wisconsin's safest counties

Door County ranks as one of Wisconsin's lowest-risk counties for natural disasters, with a composite score of 46.88 that positions it in the bottom tier of statewide vulnerability. Only a handful of Wisconsin counties enjoy lower overall disaster risk.

Comparable to Crawford, safer than most

Door County (46.88) faces nearly identical risk to Crawford County (46.22), making both among Wisconsin's safest areas. Both dramatically exceed Columbia County (81.42) and significantly trail Dane County (93.86) in vulnerability.

Wildfire and flooding are modest concerns

Door's wildfire risk reaches 39.89 and flood risk stands at 52.07, making these the county's primary but still moderate natural hazards. Tornado risk (47.55) ranks as secondary, while earthquake (12.75) and hurricane (0.00) threats remain minimal.

Standard insurance typically sufficient

Door County residents can generally rely on standard homeowners insurance for baseline protection against the county's modest hazard exposure. Adding a flood policy rider remains prudent given flood risk at 52, as standard policies exclude water damage.

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.