countyscore
53.9
County Score
Cost of Living 79.3Safety 70.9Soil Quality 62.8

County Report Card

About Forest County, Wisconsin

Outperforming the National Median

Forest County earns a composite score of 53.5, placing it comfortably above the national median of 50.0. This indicates a high level of livability relative to the rest of the country.

Leading the State Average

With a score of 53.5, Forest County surpasses the Wisconsin state average of 50.3. It stands out as a high-performing rural county within the state's northern reaches.

Exceptional Affordability and Safety

A standout cost score of 79.3 is driven by a very low median rent of $585. Public safety is another primary strength, marked by a robust score of 70.9.

Economic and Educational Limits

Income levels are lower here, with an income score of 38.1 and a median of $59,727. School scores of 43.5 and water scores of 20.5 represent areas where the county has room for development.

Ideal for Budget-Conscious Individuals

Forest County is a top choice for retirees or remote workers looking to minimize living expenses and maximize safety. It offers an incredibly low cost of entry for those who do not rely on the local school system.

2040608010030.379.370.94543.536.952.620.550.3Tax30.3Cost79.3Safety70.9Health45Schools43.5Income36.9Risk52.6Water20.5Weather50.353.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Forest County DNA

Foverall

How Forest County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Forest County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (79.3/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (20.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
30.3-21.7
Cost
79.3+31.299999999999997
Safety
70.9+15.900000000000006
Health
45
Schools
43.5-10.5
Income
36.9-14.100000000000001
Risk
52.6
Water
20.5-37.5
Weather
50.3
Sponsored

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Many homeowners in Forest 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

$185,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$594/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$185,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$23,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,071/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.6

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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Nearby counties

Florence County
Wisconsin
59.6
Iron County
Michigan
59.5
Oneida County
Wisconsin
61
Vilas County
Wisconsin
65.6
Langlade County
Wisconsin
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Dickinson County
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58.8
Marinette County
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49.6
Menominee County
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56.3

Deep Dives

Forest County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Forest County

via TaxByCounty

Forest County has Wisconsin's best rate

Forest County's 1.17% effective tax rate is Wisconsin's lowest and remarkably close to the national median of 1.08%, making it a genuine tax value. Homeowners here pay only $702 more than the national median despite property values being comparable.

Most affordable property taxes in state

Forest County ranks 72nd (lowest) among Wisconsin's 72 counties with a 1.17% effective rate, nearly a quarter-point below the state average of 1.44%. The median property tax of $1,988 is $1,093 below the state median, offering extraordinary relief.

Far lower than any nearby county

Forest County's 1.17% rate dramatically undercuts all surveyed neighbors: Florence (1.31%), Dunn (1.47%), and Eau Claire (1.43%). Residents enjoy Wisconsin's most affordable property tax environment by a substantial margin.

A $170,000 home costs $1,988 yearly

The median Forest County homeowner with a $170,000 property pays just $1,988 in annual taxes, or about $166 monthly. This is over $1,300 less than the state median tax bill.

Keep your assessment fair anyway

Even at Wisconsin's lowest rate, Forest County homeowners should verify their assessments haven't drifted above fair market value. A simple appeal could protect your tax advantage for years to come.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Forest County

via IncomeByCounty

Forest trails far behind nation

Forest County's median household income of $59,727 falls a stark $15,028 short of the national median of $74,755—a 20% deficit. This places Forest in the lowest quartile of U.S. counties by household earnings.

Wisconsin's lower-income counties

Forest County ranks among Wisconsin's lowest earners, with a median income of $59,727 trailing the state average by $11,988. The county's per-capita income of $31,994 is notably below Wisconsin's $38,794 average.

Lowest earnings in region

Forest County ($59,727) has the weakest median income in its cohort, falling below Florence ($62,786), Grant ($64,349), and Green Lake ($66,917). Only the most economically challenged areas of northern Wisconsin compare.

Lowest rent burden helps offset wage gap

Forest County's exceptional rent-to-income ratio of just 11.8%—the lowest in the region—provides crucial relief for renters on tight budgets. Median home values of $170,000 also support affordable homeownership.

Invest in skills and opportunities

Forest County's lower median income suggests focus on education, training, and career advancement for long-term wealth building. Even small automatic transfers to savings can establish emergency funds and demonstrate financial discipline to lenders for future home purchases.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Forest County

via CrimeByCounty

Forest County offers high security for residents

Forest County features a total crime rate of 692.7 per 100,000, roughly one-third of the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county an excellent safety score of 98.9.

Surpassing the state average for safety

With a safety score of 98.9, Forest County is safer than the average Wisconsin county score of 98.3. Its total crime rate is also much lower than the state-wide average of 1103.1.

Safety comparison with Florence and Green Lake

Forest County's crime rate of 692.7 is slightly lower than Green Lake County's 701.8 but higher than Florence County's 415.4. It remains a very secure choice compared to most other regions in the state.

Low violent crime rates define the county

Violent crime is low at 129.9 per 100,000, while property crime is also modest at 562.8. Most residents will never encounter a serious crime incident in their daily lives.

Maintaining safety in the Northwoods

In a rural area like Forest County, monitoring remote properties is the best way to prevent property crime. Simple additions like gate alarms or trail cameras provide peace of mind for homeowners.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Forest County

via WeatherByCounty

Deep Into Northern Territory

Forest County is exceptionally cold, with an annual average temperature of only 39.7°F. This is more than 13 degrees below the national median, characterizing a true sub-boreal climate.

Colder and Snowier Than Most

The county sits far below the Wisconsin average temperature of 44.4°F. It is also one of the state's snowiest regions, receiving 77.4 inches annually compared to more moderate totals in the south.

Maximum Snow Load

Forest County's 77.4 inches of snow dwarfs the 40-inch averages found in southern Wisconsin. Its July average of 64.2°F is also significantly lower than the 72°F averages seen in the southern part of the state.

No Heat, All Snow

This county records 0 days per year of extreme heat over 90°F, making it a refuge from summer temperatures. However, winter is intense, with an average temperature of just 15.0°F and heavy, consistent snow.

Focus on Heavy Insulation

Extreme winter preparation is mandatory, as January averages fall to a biting 11.8°F. Residents should prioritize high-capacity snow blowers and ensure homes are rated for significant snow accumulation on roofs.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Forest County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Acidic and Biologically Rich

Forest County has an average pH of 4.85, making it significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5. This specialized chemistry is a hallmark of the region's dense forest ecosystems and unique soil development.

Balanced Sands and Silts

The composition is a near-even split of 42.9% sand and 40.9% silt, with very little clay at 6.6%. This results in a soil that is exceptionally easy to dig and won't bake into hard crusts during the summer.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

At 16.05%, the organic matter content is nearly double the already-high state average. The soil also features an available water capacity of 0.206, which slightly outperforms the state average of 0.204.

Spongy Soil with Reliable Moisture

While specific drainage data is missing, the extreme organic matter creates a sponge-like soil that holds water well. The 42.9% sand ensures that air can still reach plant roots, creating a resilient environment for native growth.

Native Success in Zone 4b

This Zone 4b region is a dream for forest-based gardening and cold-hardy perennials. Despite a lower 62.8 soil score, the massive organic content provides a massive advantage for any gardener willing to work with acidic conditions.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Forest County

via LawnByCounty

Wisconsin's Most Challenging Lawn Conditions

Forest County has a difficulty score of 48.9, making it the toughest place in this group to maintain a traditional lawn. This Zone 4b region requires specific care to overcome its unique climate and soil barriers.

Cooler Summers and Steady Rain

A complete lack of extreme heat days means grass is never scorched by 90°F temperatures, but the low 1,541 growing degree days mean recovery from damage is slow. The 33.2 inches of annual rain is sufficient, though the season is brief.

Extremely Acidic Soils Require Help

With a very low pH of 4.85, most lawns here will struggle to grow without significant lime applications. The soil is also very low in clay (6.6%), meaning it doesn't store water or nutrients as well as southern Wisconsin soils.

Widespread Dryness in the North

A staggering 97.2% of the county is currently abnormally dry following 22 weeks of drought last year. Protecting your lawn by minimizing foot traffic during dry spells is essential for maintaining turf health.

Hardy Grasses for a Late Start

Fine Fescue and Creeping Red Fescue are best suited for the cool temperatures and acidic soils of Forest County. Wait for the late frost on May 19th before beginning any major turf projects.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forest County's county score?
Forest County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 53.9 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 Forest County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Forest County ranks #24 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 Forest County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Forest County is $1,988, with an effective tax rate of 1.07%. This earns Forest County a tax score of 30.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Forest County?
The median household income in Forest County, Wisconsin is $61,071 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Forest County earns an income score of 36.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Forest County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Forest County scores 53.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #24 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Forest 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 Forest 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.