countyscore
50.6
County Score
Health 85.3Safety 80.3Income & Jobs 72.5

County Report Card

About Eau Claire County, Wisconsin

Above the National Baseline

With a composite score of 50.8, Eau Claire County outperforms the national median of 50.0. This ranking suggests a higher standard of living than most counties across the United States.

Beating the State Average

Eau Claire's 50.8 score edges out the Wisconsin state average of 50.3. It stands as a regional leader in West-Central Wisconsin, offering a more attractive profile than many neighboring counties.

Exceptional Health and Public Safety

The county boasts an impressive health score of 85.3 and a safety score of 80.3. These high marks reflect a secure environment and access to top-tier wellness resources.

Environmental Risks and High Entry Costs

A risk score of 21.7 indicates the county faces higher natural or environmental hazards compared to others. Housing costs also present a challenge, as seen in the low 24.8 cost score and $977 median rent.

Ideal for Safety-Oriented Professionals

Eau Claire is a premier choice for those prioritizing low crime and excellent medical care. It suits established professionals who can navigate the local housing market to enjoy the high quality of life.

2040608010016.82380.385.34772.521.753.649.8Tax16.8Cost23Safety80.3Health85.3Schools47Income72.5Risk21.7Water53.6Weather49.850.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Eau Claire County DNA

Foverall

How Eau Claire County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Eau Claire County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (85.3/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (16.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
16.8-35.2
Cost
23-25
Safety
80.3+25.299999999999997
Health
85.3+35.3
Schools
47
Income
72.5+21.5
Risk
21.7-25.3
Water
53.6
Weather
49.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Eau Claire County?

Many homeowners in Eau Claire 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

$261,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,064/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$261,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$42,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,546/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

33.9

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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Counties with similar scores

Sussex County
Delaware
Median income: $81,497
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St. Johns County
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Rabun County
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Tattnall County
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Middlesex County
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Randolph County
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Yadkin County
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Median income: $62,932
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Nearby counties

Chippewa County
Wisconsin
43.3
Clark County
Wisconsin
51.1
Dunn County
Wisconsin
49.2
Jackson County
Wisconsin
50.2
Buffalo County
Wisconsin
60.1
Trempealeau County
Wisconsin
56
Pepin County
Wisconsin
56.9
Taylor County
Wisconsin
51.6

Deep Dives

Eau Claire County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Eau Claire County

via TaxByCounty

Eau Claire's rate slightly above national average

Eau Claire County's 1.43% effective tax rate ranks in the upper third nationally, exceeding the national median of 1.08% by a notable margin. Residents pay about $771 more annually than the national median home, a premium reflecting Wisconsin's property-tax-heavy funding model.

Below Wisconsin's statewide average rate

Eau Claire County ranks 33rd among Wisconsin's 72 counties with an effective rate of 1.43%, just below the state average of 1.44%. The median tax bill of $3,461 exceeds the state median by $380, primarily driven by home values near the state average.

Slightly lower rate than neighboring Dunn

Eau Claire County's 1.43% effective rate edges below Dunn County's 1.47%, though median tax bills are nearly identical at $3,461 versus $3,325. Both counties cluster together in mid-range Wisconsin tax burden.

A $242,400 home costs $3,461 yearly

The typical Eau Claire County homeowner with a $242,400 property pays $3,461 in annual taxes, or about $288 monthly. With mortgage-related assessments included, annual costs climb to roughly $3,549.

Overassessments are common here too

Eau Claire County homeowners have successfully challenged overassessed properties through the county appeals process at no cost. A professional appraisal revealing inflated assessments can justify a tax reduction worth hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Eau Claire County

via IncomeByCounty

Eau Claire slightly below national average

Eau Claire County's median household income of $71,834 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by roughly $2,900. However, this positions Eau Claire above the bottom half of U.S. counties in household earnings.

Eau Claire leads upper-state peers

Eau Claire's $71,834 median income ranks above Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, placing it in the upper half of the state's 72 counties. The county's strong per-capita income of $40,845—well above the state's $38,794—signals robust individual earning power.

Competitive with regional rivals

Eau Claire ($71,834) slightly edges Dunn County ($71,785) and matches regional strength with Fond du Lac ($73,154). Green Lake ($66,917) and Grant ($64,349) counties nearby lag significantly behind.

Housing affordable, though tight

Eau Claire's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% keeps housing costs well within the sustainable 30% threshold, though it's slightly higher than the state trend. Median home values of $242,400 remain manageable for dual-income households or those with above-median earnings.

Leverage Eau Claire's earning potential

With per-capita income of $40,845, Eau Claire residents have strong individual earning capacity to maximize retirement savings and investment accounts. Even modest monthly contributions to a diversified portfolio can build substantial wealth over 20–30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Eau Claire County

via CrimeByCounty

Eau Claire County ranks among nation's safest areas

With a total crime rate of just 466.4 per 100,000 residents, Eau Claire County is roughly five times safer than the national average. The county achieves a remarkable safety score of 99.3 out of 100.

Surpassing Wisconsin state safety benchmarks

Eau Claire County's safety score of 99.3 easily exceeds the state average of 98.3. Its total crime rate is also significantly lower than the Wisconsin average of 1103.1 per 100,000 people.

A regional leader in public safety

The county's crime rate of 466.4 is much lower than nearby Dunn County, which reports 1088.0 incidents per 100,000 people. This makes Eau Claire one of the most secure hubs in the Chippewa Valley region.

Violent crime remains exceptionally rare

Violent crime in Eau Claire County is minimal at 28.4 per 100,000, far below the national rate of 369.8. Property crime constitutes nearly all local reporting at 438.0 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Keep Eau Claire safe with simple precautions

Because crime rates are so low, residents often feel a high sense of security, but basic property protection remains important. Simple measures like smart doorbells and secure windows help maintain these record-low crime numbers.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Eau Claire County

via WeatherByCounty

Defined by Northern Continental Air

Eau Claire County records an annual average temperature of 44.7°F, placing it well below the national median. This climate type ensures a landscape dominated by four distinct seasons with significant winter snow accumulation.

Standard Wisconsin Temperature Brackets

At 44.7°F, the county is just a fraction warmer than the 44.4°F Wisconsin state average. It ranks as a middle-of-the-pack county for temperature, avoiding the extreme cold of the far north and the relative warmth of the south.

The Snowier Neighbor

Eau Claire experiences a heavy 54.0 inches of annual snowfall, significantly outpacing Dunn County’s 40.9 inches. Despite the extra snow, its average annual precipitation of 33.6 inches is actually slightly lower than its western neighbor.

Strong Summers and Heavy Snow

The summer months average a pleasant 69.2°F, though temperatures hit the 90°F mark about 7 times each year. Winter is the dominant season, characterized by a chilly 17.9°F average from December through February.

Invest in Snow Removal

With 54 inches of snow per year, residents should prioritize high-quality snow removal equipment and vehicle winterization. Energy-efficient home insulation is critical to manage the January average lows of 14.6°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Eau Claire County

via SoilByCounty

Typical Wisconsin Acidity in Eau Claire

The soil in Eau Claire County carries a pH of 5.64, almost identical to the state average. This is more acidic than the national 6.5 median, reflecting the region's natural forest and prairie history.

Balanced Sands for Easy Workability

The mix is nearly half sand at 49.1%, paired with 29.8% silt for a texture that resists heavy clumping. With clay at only 9.4%, gardeners will find the soil easy to dig even after heavy rains.

Rich Biological Matter Outpaces the Nation

At 10.01%, the organic matter content is five times the national average and very close to the state's 11.02% benchmark. This richness helps sustain plants despite an available water capacity that sits at 0.185, below the state mean.

Fast-Draining Soils Require Moisture Management

Specific drainage class data is unavailable, but the high sand and low clay percentages indicate a fast-draining profile. This makes the county well-suited for building and construction, though farmers may need to monitor soil moisture closely.

Hardy Crops Thrive in Zone 4b

The Zone 4b climate supports a variety of berries and hardy perennials that enjoy well-aerated soil. A soil score of 65.8 indicates your backyard has the fundamental nutrients needed to start a successful growing season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Eau Claire County

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Conditions for Eau Claire Lawns

Eau Claire County earns a 67.2 lawn difficulty score, outperforming the state average of 64.4 and the national median. This Zone 4b classification means cool-season grasses are well-adapted to the local climate.

Consistent Growth in Central Wisconsin

Annual precipitation of 33.6 inches provides a strong baseline for lawn health, falling just under the state average of 34.5. With 2,529 growing degree days, grass grows steadily through a season punctuated by only 7 days of extreme heat.

Addressing High Sand and Low pH

A soil pH of 5.64 is lower than the preferred 6.0-7.0 range, meaning homeowners should test for acidity before the season starts. The high sand content of 49.1% ensures great drainage but can lead to faster nutrient leaching during heavy rains.

Recent Drought Trends in Eau Claire

The county saw 11 weeks of drought in the past year, though current abnormal dryness affects less than 1% of the land. Setting mower blades higher helps shade the soil surface and preserves moisture when rain becomes scarce.

Timing Your Eau Claire Lawn Repairs

Standard cool-season blends like perennial ryegrass thrive in this 4b zone. Wait for the final spring frost on May 7th to begin your primary seeding or sodding efforts for the year.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eau Claire County's county score?
Eau Claire County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 50.6 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 Eau Claire County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Eau Claire County ranks #40 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 Eau Claire County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Eau Claire County is $3,514, with an effective tax rate of 1.35%. This earns Eau Claire County a tax score of 16.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Eau Claire County?
The median household income in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is $74,546 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Eau Claire County earns an income score of 72.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Eau Claire County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Eau Claire County scores 50.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #40 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.