With a composite score of 63.7, Eau Claire County exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 27%, landing it solidly in the upper half of American counties. This strength comes from balanced performance across housing, health, and tax competitiveness.
2 / 5
Slightly below Wisconsin's typical county
Eau Claire County scores 63.7 against Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, placing it just beneath the typical Wisconsin county. This near-average performance reflects a county without standout weaknesses but also without dramatic competitive advantages in the state.
3 / 5
Low risk and excellent health outcomes
Eau Claire County stands out with an exceptionally low risk score of 21.7 and strong health outcomes at 78.3, indicating safer communities and better disease prevention. Residents also benefit from a low effective tax rate of 1.428% and affordable rent averaging $977/month.
4 / 5
Income remains the primary constraint
The income score of 30.3 reflects a median household income of $71,834, limiting economic upward mobility compared to stronger-performing Wisconsin counties. Housing values at $242,400 also run slightly higher, creating a cost-to-income tension for some households.
5 / 5
Best for safety-focused, health-conscious residents
Eau Claire County appeals to families valuing low crime rates and preventive health infrastructure over wage maximization. The combination of safer communities, strong health systems, and reasonable taxes makes it especially suitable for retirees and families seeking peace of mind.
With a composite score of 63.7, Eau Claire County exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 27%, landing it solidly in the upper half of American counties. This strength comes from balanced performance across housing, health, and tax competitiveness.
Slightly below Wisconsin's typical county
Eau Claire County scores 63.7 against Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, placing it just beneath the typical Wisconsin county. This near-average performance reflects a county without standout weaknesses but also without dramatic competitive advantages in the state.
Low risk and excellent health outcomes
Eau Claire County stands out with an exceptionally low risk score of 21.7 and strong health outcomes at 78.3, indicating safer communities and better disease prevention. Residents also benefit from a low effective tax rate of 1.428% and affordable rent averaging $977/month.
Income remains the primary constraint
The income score of 30.3 reflects a median household income of $71,834, limiting economic upward mobility compared to stronger-performing Wisconsin counties. Housing values at $242,400 also run slightly higher, creating a cost-to-income tension for some households.
Best for safety-focused, health-conscious residents
Eau Claire County appeals to families valuing low crime rates and preventive health infrastructure over wage maximization. The combination of safer communities, strong health systems, and reasonable taxes makes it especially suitable for retirees and families seeking peace of mind.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Renters in Eau Claire County spend 16.3% of their income on housing—notably above the national average of 14.9%. With a median household income of $71,834 and median rent of $977, housing costs here claim a larger chunk than most American counties.
One of Wisconsin's tightest rental markets
Eau Claire's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the least affordable in Wisconsin, exceeding the state average of 14.9% by a significant margin. The county's $977 monthly median rent is the highest among this regional group, suggesting strong demand in this regional hub.
Pricier than most surrounding counties
Eau Claire's $977 rent tops every comparable county in this group except for regional outliers. Renters here pay $392 more per month than Forest County's $585 and $166 more than nearby Dunn County's $942.
Housing consumes a third of income
Eau Claire renters allocate $977 monthly while homeowners commit $1,185 to mortgages against a $71,834 median income. This split reflects a county where housing—whether renting or owning—demands roughly 33% of household earnings.
A growing hub with trade-offs
Eau Claire's higher rents reflect its status as a regional employment and cultural center with strong job markets. If you value urban amenities and career opportunities, Eau Claire's costs may be justified—but compare it against more affordable neighbors like Green or Forest counties if budget is tight.
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.
Eau Claire County's 78.8-year life expectancy is nearly 1 year above the U.S. average of 78.0 years, and its 15.2% poor/fair health rate is notably lower than the national 17.5%. The county demonstrates solid health outcomes despite serving a diverse, mixed urban-rural population.
Above-average health for Wisconsin
At 78.8 years, Eau Claire County's life expectancy edges above Wisconsin's 77.8-year state average. The county ranks among Wisconsin's better-performing communities for population health outcomes.
Regional healthcare leader
Eau Claire leads neighboring Dunn County in primary care access with 142 providers per 100,000 residents versus Dunn's 75, and far exceeds mental health coverage at 412 providers per 100,000. This wealth of providers reflects Eau Claire's role as a regional healthcare hub.
Low uninsured rate, strong access
Eau Claire County's 5.6% uninsured rate matches the best in the region, meaning 94.4% of residents have healthcare coverage. With 142 primary care providers and 412 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county offers exceptional access to both physical and mental health services.
Protect your family's health now
Eau Claire's robust healthcare infrastructure only works if everyone has insurance. If you're uninsured, Wisconsin's marketplace and federally subsidized plans make coverage affordable—visit healthcare.gov to compare options.
Eau Claire County scores 78.31 on the composite risk scale, placing it above the national average and indicating relatively elevated disaster exposure. This county experiences a notably higher frequency of natural hazard events than much of the nation.
Wisconsin's riskier counties
At 78.31, Eau Claire County exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, ranking among the state's higher-risk communities. Only a handful of Wisconsin counties face comparable natural disaster exposure.
Most vulnerable in the region
Eau Claire County's 78.31 score significantly exceeds nearby Dunn County (48.79) and Forest County (47.39), making it the region's most hazard-prone area. This elevated risk profile demands heightened preparedness compared to surrounding counties.
Tornadoes and floods drive exposure
Tornado risk stands at 80.60, the county's primary threat, while flooding presents substantial secondary risk at 79.93—both well above state and national norms. Wildfire and earthquake risks are more moderate at 30.12 and 9.83 respectively, though still noteworthy.
Prioritize comprehensive disaster coverage
With tornado risk at 80.60 and flood risk at 79.93, homeowners should secure robust insurance covering both storm damage and water damage from heavy rainfall. Consider above-ground safe rooms or shelters and maintain a detailed emergency action plan updated annually.