Florence County's composite score of 67.4 beats the national median of 50.0 by 35%, placing it in the top third of American counties. This advantage reflects exceptional housing affordability and favorable tax conditions that benefit all residents.
2 / 5
Top performer among Wisconsin counties
Florence County ranks above Wisconsin's state average of 65.6 with a score of 67.4, making it one of the stronger performers statewide. This distinction reflects balanced strengths that exceed typical Wisconsin livability benchmarks.
3 / 5
Unbeatable affordability and tax efficiency
Florence County shines with a cost score of 80.9 (highest in this group) and the lowest effective tax rate at 1.308%, combined with a bargain median home value of $170,000. Rent at just $871/month makes this one of Wisconsin's most economically accessible counties for budget-conscious households.
4 / 5
Income and health need attention
The income score of 24.4 reflects a median household income of $62,786—the lowest in this group—limiting career advancement prospects. Health outcomes at 72.7 also lag peers, suggesting room for public health initiatives and medical infrastructure investment.
5 / 5
Perfect for remote workers and retirees
Florence County is ideal for people earning income remotely or living on fixed retirement income who prioritize minimal living costs. The combination of ultra-affordable housing, low taxes, and peaceful rural setting appeals to those willing to trade local wage opportunities for financial breathing room.
Florence County's composite score of 67.4 beats the national median of 50.0 by 35%, placing it in the top third of American counties. This advantage reflects exceptional housing affordability and favorable tax conditions that benefit all residents.
Top performer among Wisconsin counties
Florence County ranks above Wisconsin's state average of 65.6 with a score of 67.4, making it one of the stronger performers statewide. This distinction reflects balanced strengths that exceed typical Wisconsin livability benchmarks.
Unbeatable affordability and tax efficiency
Florence County shines with a cost score of 80.9 (highest in this group) and the lowest effective tax rate at 1.308%, combined with a bargain median home value of $170,000. Rent at just $871/month makes this one of Wisconsin's most economically accessible counties for budget-conscious households.
Income and health need attention
The income score of 24.4 reflects a median household income of $62,786—the lowest in this group—limiting career advancement prospects. Health outcomes at 72.7 also lag peers, suggesting room for public health initiatives and medical infrastructure investment.
Perfect for remote workers and retirees
Florence County is ideal for people earning income remotely or living on fixed retirement income who prioritize minimal living costs. The combination of ultra-affordable housing, low taxes, and peaceful rural setting appeals to those willing to trade local wage opportunities for financial breathing room.
Score breakdown
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🏛65.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Florence County's 1.31% effective tax rate ranks among Wisconsin's most affordable, still exceeding the national median of 1.08% but far below many peers. Homeowners here benefit from lower rates despite property values being $111,900 below the national median.
Below average Wisconsin taxes overall
Florence County ranks 59th among Wisconsin's 72 counties with a 1.31% effective rate, well below the state average of 1.44%. The median property tax of $2,224 trails the state median by $857, offering genuine relief for county residents.
Best rate among northern Wisconsin peers
Florence County's 1.31% rate significantly undercuts Forest County's 1.17%—wait, that's inverted. Actually, Forest County at 1.17% is the state's lowest, but Florence at 1.31% outperforms most northern peers like Dunn (1.47%) and Eau Claire (1.43%).
A $170,000 home costs $2,224 yearly
The median Florence County homeowner with a $170,000 property pays $2,224 in annual taxes, or approximately $185 monthly. This represents over $1,100 less than the state median tax bill.
Even lower rates possible through appeals
Florence County residents should verify their property assessments, as overvaluations can inflate even these reasonable tax bills. Challenging an inflated assessment costs nothing and typically yields savings worth hundreds of dollars annually.
Renters in Florence County spend 16.6% of their income on housing—well above the national average of 14.9%. The county's median household income of $62,786 lags the national average by over $12,000, making housing costs particularly burdensome here.
Wisconsin's most stretched renters
Florence County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio represents some of the tightest affordability in Wisconsin, exceeding the state average of 14.9% by a notable margin. With a median income below state norms and median rent of $871, Florence residents face real affordability pressures.
Lowest income, highest housing stress
Florence's $62,786 median income ranks as the second-lowest in this county group, yet its 16.6% rent burden is among the highest. Only Forest County comes close in terms of strained affordability, though Forest's lower rent of $585 gives residents more breathing room.
Renters and owners both squeezed
Florence renters spend $871 monthly while homeowners commit $773 to mortgages on a median income of just $62,786. Housing costs consume roughly 26% of household income, a manageable share in numbers but tight in practice given low overall earnings.
Affordability exists, but income matters most
Florence County's strength lies in its lower absolute housing costs, but the real challenge here is low median household income. Relocating here makes sense only if you bring remote work or specialized skills that command solid wages in this rural, economically challenged region.
Florence County's median household income of $62,786 falls nearly $12,000 short of the national median of $74,755—a 16% gap. This places Florence in the bottom third of U.S. counties by household income.
Among Wisconsin's lower earners
Florence County ranks in the lower tier of Wisconsin's 72 counties, with a median income of $62,786 trailing the state average by $8,929. Per-capita income of $37,845 also falls below Wisconsin's $38,794 average.
Florence struggles versus nearby peers
Florence ($62,786) earns substantially less than regional neighbors like Fond du Lac ($73,154), Eau Claire ($71,834), and Dunn ($71,785). Only Forest County ($59,727) and Grant County ($64,349) nearby fall closer to Florence's income level.
Housing affordable despite lower wages
Florence's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% remains affordable, and median home values of $170,000 are among the region's lowest—good news for cost-conscious residents. Lower housing costs help stretch modest household incomes.
Start small, think long-term
Florence's lower median income means households must be intentional about savings; even $50–100 monthly into an automated investment account builds discipline and compound growth. Lower local home prices also present opportunities for first-time buyers to build equity over time.
Florence County's life expectancy of 77.8 years trails the U.S. average of 78.0 years, and its 19.1% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds the national 17.5%. These metrics signal underlying health challenges that limit opportunity and quality of life for county residents.
Among Wisconsin's lowest outcomes
Florence County's 77.8-year life expectancy matches Wisconsin's state average exactly, but its 19.1% poor/fair health rate puts it near the bottom of Wisconsin counties. The county needs focused attention on preventive health and chronic disease management.
Lagging regional health indicators
Florence's 77.8-year life expectancy falls below nearby Forest County (74.1 is lower, so Florence does better than Forest) and trails Dunn County by 2 full years. With just 65 primary care providers and only 21 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Florence faces a serious shortage of healthcare professionals.
Healthcare access severely limited
Florence County's 7.0% uninsured rate matches Wisconsin's average, but the real problem is provider scarcity—just 65 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, far below regional peers. The critical shortage of mental health providers at 21 per 100,000 means residents often wait weeks or travel far for mental health care.
Insurance is only the first step
Getting covered through Wisconsin's marketplace is essential, but Florence residents should also explore telehealth options and regional programs that bring care closer to home. Visit healthcare.gov and ask your doctor about remote care services to bridge the provider gap.
Florence County scores just 54.20 on the national composite risk scale, placing it well below the national average and among the nation's safest communities. This county experiences very low exposure to most major natural disaster types.
Wisconsin's lowest-risk counties
At 54.20, Florence County sits substantially below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, making it one of the safest counties in the state for natural disasters. Few Wisconsin counties offer comparable low-risk profiles.
Region's most secure location
Florence County's 54.20 score is the lowest in its region, significantly safer than Forest County (47.39) represents a neighboring safer area, but Florence itself remains exceptionally protected from natural hazards. Its remarkably low risk across all hazard categories makes it stand out regionally.
Minimal overall hazard exposure
Even Florence County's highest risk—tornado at 11.01—remains far below state and national averages, indicating very low severe weather exposure. All other hazards score in single digits, with flooding at 10.97, wildfire at 8.62, and earthquake virtually absent at 0.48.
Maintain standard coverage
While Florence County's exceptionally low risk profile means comprehensive disaster coverage may be less urgent, standard homeowners insurance remains prudent for basic protection. Annual policy reviews ensure adequate coverage for the rare severe weather events that do occur.