CountyScore

Douglas County

Wisconsin · WI

#29 in Wisconsin
66.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Douglas County, Wisconsin

Strong livability above national standard

Douglas County scores 66.4, well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 35% nationally. The county demonstrates solid, reliable livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly above state average

At 66.4, Douglas edges above Wisconsin's 65.6 average, ranking in the upper-middle tier of state counties. It matches or exceeds most regional peers.

Excellent taxes and affordability

Douglas excels with a tax score of 64.4 (1.347% effective rate) and cost score of 75.7, offering median rent at $903 and homes at $190,400. Health outcomes are solid at 77.5.

Income growth opportunities limited

Income score of 30.8 reflects median household earnings of $72,579, below state averages. Risk score of 37.6 suggests moderate economic stability concerns.

Ideal for value-conscious families

Douglas suits families seeking affordable living, low taxes, and solid health care in a Lake Superior community. It appeals to those wanting regional character and outdoors access without premium pricing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.4Cost75.7SafetyComing SoonHealth77.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.8Risk37.6WaterComing Soon
🏛64.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.8
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
⚡37.6
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 Douglas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Columbia County
Florida
66.4
Median income: $55,070
Madison County
Florida
66.4
Median income: $48,176
Ben Hill County
Georgia
66.4
Median income: $39,081
Jackson County
Georgia
66.4
Median income: $85,012
Miller County
Georgia
66.4
Median income: $58,407

Deep Dives

Douglas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Douglas County

via TaxByCounty

Douglas County slightly above national median

Douglas County's 1.347% effective tax rate sits just slightly above the national median of 1.436%, while the median tax bill of $2,564 falls modestly below the national median of $2,690. Lower median home values of $190,400 help keep absolute taxes manageable despite moderate tax rates.

Douglas ranks close to state average

At 1.347%, Douglas County's effective rate runs just below Wisconsin's 1.436% state average, placing it near the middle of statewide rankings. The median tax of $2,564 falls below the state median of $3,081, reflecting Douglas's affordable housing market.

Douglas maintains moderate regional standing

Douglas's 1.347% rate falls between Chippewa's 1.159% and Clark's 1.506%, positioning it squarely in the regional middle. With a $2,564 median tax, Douglas residents pay less than most neighboring counties while enjoying reasonable effective tax rates.

What your annual tax bill looks like

A homeowner with Douglas County's median $190,400 home pays approximately $2,564 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $2,605; without one, it drops to $2,479—a manageable $126 spread.

You might be overassessed

Douglas County homeowners should periodically verify their property assessments, especially if home values in their neighborhoods have shifted. A successful appeal could reduce your annual tax bill by hundreds—money better spent on home improvements or savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Douglas County

via CostByCounty

Douglas lands right at state average

Douglas County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% exactly matches Wisconsin's statewide average, making it a reliable benchmark for state-level affordability. Median rent of $903 runs just 1% above state average, while household income of $72,579 sits modestly below national levels.

Perfectly typical Wisconsin housing profile

Douglas County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio mirrors Wisconsin's statewide average, placing it squarely in the middle of county affordability rankings. This predictable pattern makes Douglas a representative option for understanding typical Wisconsin housing markets.

Moderate pricing between extremes

Douglas's $903 median rent clusters with Chippewa and Dodge ($963 each) while undercutting Door ($995) and Dane ($1,345). Its $190,400 median home value ranks among the lowest, reflecting the Superior area's modest real estate market compared to Madison or tourist-destination Door County.

Housing claims 30% of household income

Douglas residents spend roughly $903 on rent or $1,076 on monthly ownership costs, totaling about 30% of the $72,579 median household income. This moderate allocation positions Douglas households comfortably within conventional affordability guidelines, leaving reasonable room for other expenses.

Douglas offers stability without extremes

If you're relocating to Wisconsin and want to avoid housing-market surprises, Douglas County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio and $190,400 median home value deliver predictable, middle-of-the-road affordability. The Superior area's stable economy and reasonable housing costs make Douglas practical for families seeking balanced community conditions.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Douglas County

via IncomeByCounty

Douglas Near National Income Average

Douglas County's median household income of $72,579 sits $2,176 below the national median of $74,755, placing the county just barely below typical American earnings. This near-alignment reflects Douglas's position as a stable, middle-income Great Lakes community.

Slightly Above Wisconsin Standard

At $72,579, Douglas County households earn $864 more than Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, placing the county fractionally above the state median. The modest surplus reflects Superior's port economy and regional employment diversity.

Douglas Ranks Mid-Pack Regionally

Douglas's $72,579 median outpaces Door County ($71,785) while trailing Dodge County ($73,992) and Chippewa County ($74,009). Among northern Wisconsin counties, Douglas represents a stable, middle-income profile characteristic of the region.

Rents Stay Manageable

Douglas County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% is favorable, allowing households to retain 85% of earnings after rent payments. The median home value of $190,400 aligns well with median household income, supporting homeownership affordability.

Douglas County Wealth-Building Essentials

Douglas County households earning $72,579 enjoy favorable housing affordability to accelerate wealth building and investment. Prioritize establishing homeownership, maximize retirement contributions through employer plans, and explore Superior's economic diversification for career advancement opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Douglas County

via HealthByCounty

Douglas faces uphill health battle

At 76.4 years, Douglas matches the U.S. average exactly, but the county's 13.8% poor/fair health rate is better than the national 18%, suggesting selective health vulnerabilities rather than broad population sickness. The 5.7% uninsured rate beats the national average, meaning coverage gaps aren't the primary driver of outcomes.

Wisconsin's lowest life expectancy

Douglas ranks among Wisconsin's lowest counties on life expectancy at 76.4 years, falling 1.4 years short of the state average of 77.8. The 5.7% uninsured rate is better than Wisconsin's 7.0%, indicating that coverage isn't the core issue.

Shortest life span in cohort

At 76.4 years, Douglas has the lowest life expectancy in its peer group—trailing Dane by 4.4 years and even Clark by 0.4 years. With only 25 primary care providers per 100K, Douglas has the second-lowest provider density regionally, which may limit chronic disease management.

Provider shortage amid low disease burden

Douglas's 13.8% poor/fair health rate is competitive, but at just 25 primary care providers per 100K, residents face serious access challenges for managing preventive care and complex conditions. Mental health providers at 183 per 100K show strength in behavioral health, but primary care gaps undermine holistic care.

Douglas needs coverage and care

With 5.7% uninsured, Douglas's challenge is accessing quality primary care, not just getting covered; those without insurance should enroll immediately via healthcare.gov, and all residents should work with health providers on preventive strategies. Coverage is only the first step toward improving longevity.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Douglas County

via RiskByCounty

Douglas's risk slightly above state average

Douglas County scores 62.37, earning a Relatively Low rating while sitting modestly above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This places Douglas in the lower-middle range of national disaster risk exposure.

Below-average risk within Wisconsin

Douglas County ranks in the lower half of Wisconsin counties for natural disaster vulnerability, with a composite score of 62.37 that sits comfortably below the state's most vulnerable areas. Many Wisconsin counties face substantially higher overall disaster risk than Douglas.

Safer than inland counties, similar to peers

Douglas County (62.37) faces lower risk than Dodge County (69.91) and Chippewa County (67.33), though higher than Door County (46.88) and Crawford County (46.22). As a Lake Superior coastal county, Douglas's hazard profile differs from inland Wisconsin regions.

Flood and wildfire are primary concerns

Douglas's flood risk reaches 61.45 and wildfire risk stands at 39.22, making these the county's dominant natural hazards. Tornado risk (27.35) is substantially lower than most Wisconsin counties, while earthquake (2.54) and hurricane risks remain minimal.

Flood coverage should be priority

With flood risk at 61.45 and wildfire exposure at 39.22, Douglas residents should prioritize flood insurance and ensure comprehensive coverage in their homeowners policy. Standard policies exclude flood damage, so a separate flood rider is essential for this Lake Superior region location.

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.