CountyScore

Green Lake County

Wisconsin · WI

#41 in Wisconsin
65.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Green Lake County, Wisconsin

Green Lake County beats national median clearly

Green Lake County's composite score of 65.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 31%, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This performance reflects balanced strengths in affordability and tax efficiency across most dimensions.

Slightly above Wisconsin's average county

Green Lake County scores 65.7 against Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, placing it marginally above typical state performance. This modest edge suggests a county with reliable livability metrics that meet but don't substantially exceed regional standards.

Low taxes and solid housing affordability

Green Lake County features the second-lowest effective tax rate at 1.313%, a tax score of 65.3, and a cost score of 79.1 with rent at just $806/month. This tax-efficient, affordable profile benefits all income levels while maintaining stable median home values at $206,300.

Lower income and health outcomes lag

The income score of 27.1 reflects a median household income of $66,917, below stronger performers in this group and limiting economic advancement. Health outcomes at 68.9 are also the lowest among these eight counties, suggesting healthcare access or prevention challenges.

Ideal for tax-conscious, modest-income households

Green Lake County works best for retirees and modest-income families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over wage growth. The tax-efficient structure and budget-friendly living costs make it especially appealing for those on fixed incomes seeking maximum financial stretch.

Score breakdown

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

Tax65.3Cost79.1SafetyComing SoonHealth68.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.1Risk42WaterComing Soon
🏛65.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡42
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 Green Lake County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clinch County
Georgia
65.7
Median income: $55,549
Jo Daviess County
Illinois
65.7
Median income: $74,954
Porter County
Indiana
65.7
Median income: $85,828
Osage County
Kansas
65.7
Median income: $70,216
Kenton County
Kentucky
65.7
Median income: $79,421

Deep Dives

Green Lake County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Green Lake County

via TaxByCounty

Green Lake rate moderately above national median

Green Lake County's 1.31% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.08% by a moderate 0.23 percentage points, placing it in the upper-middle range nationally. Homeowners here pay about $490 more annually than the national median.

Below Wisconsin's statewide tax average

Green Lake County ranks 58th among Wisconsin's 72 counties with a 1.31% effective rate, comfortably below the state average of 1.44%. The median property tax of $2,709 trails the state median by $372, offering meaningful relief.

Significantly lower than Fond du Lac

Green Lake County's 1.31% rate is substantially lower than neighboring Fond du Lac's 1.58%, despite very similar median home values around $206,000–$210,000. Green Lake residents enjoy a notable tax advantage over their immediate northern neighbors.

A $206,300 home costs $2,709 yearly

The median Green Lake County homeowner with a $206,300 property pays $2,709 in annual taxes, or approximately $226 per month. This represents reasonable costs well below state averages.

Regular assessment checks protect good rates

Green Lake County homeowners enjoying below-average rates should still verify assessments annually to prevent creep over time. Early intervention on any overvaluation preserves the county's tax advantage.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Green Lake County

via CostByCounty

Green Lake rents align with national norms

Renters in Green Lake County spend 14.4% of their income on housing, nearly matching the national average of 14.9%. With a median household income of $66,917 and median rent of $806, the county delivers stable, predictable housing costs.

Better than Wisconsin on affordability

Green Lake County's 14.4% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Wisconsin's state average of 14.9%, placing it slightly ahead of most Wisconsin counties. The county's $806 median rent runs $85 below the state average of $891, providing modest savings for renters.

Affordable middle ground among peers

Green Lake's $806 rent is lower than Dunn, Eau Claire, and Fond du Lac, while slightly higher than Forest and Grant counties. The county's 14.4% affordability ratio represents a genuinely balanced position across this regional group.

Steady housing-to-income relationship

Green Lake renters allocate $806 monthly while homeowners commit $973 to mortgages against a $66,917 median income. Housing consumes roughly 25% of household earnings—a stable, manageable proportion across both rental and ownership scenarios.

Reliable small-town Wisconsin living

Green Lake County offers quiet, rural-small town living with rents below state average and balanced affordability metrics. If you value lakeside community charm without the extreme isolation of Forest County and want better-than-average Wisconsin affordability, Green Lake deserves consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Green Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Green Lake moderately below national

Green Lake County's median household income of $66,917 falls $7,838 short of the national median of $74,755—roughly a 10% gap. The county ranks in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties by household earnings.

Below Wisconsin average

Green Lake County's $66,917 median income trails Wisconsin's state average of $71,715 by $4,798, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 72 counties. Per-capita income of $37,510 also lags the state's $38,794.

Mid-pack regional earner

Green Lake ($66,917) earns more than Florence ($62,786), Forest ($59,727), and Grant ($64,349), but trails Fond du Lac ($73,154), Eau Claire ($71,834), Dunn ($71,785), and Green County ($80,248). The county occupies the regional middle.

Solid housing affordability

Green Lake's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% is the second-best in the cohort, providing breathing room for renters despite below-average income. Median home values of $206,300 remain achievable for households with steady employment.

Build steady long-term wealth

Green Lake's good housing affordability creates a foundation for modest savings and investment; automate monthly transfers to tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Even $100–150 monthly compounded over 25 years can meaningfully grow household wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Green Lake County

via HealthByCounty

Green Lake faces health headwinds

Green Lake County's 76.9-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 78.0 years, and its 20.8% poor/fair health rate is substantially higher than the national 17.5%. The county ranks among the lowest-performing regions for health outcomes in Wisconsin.

Below Wisconsin average, needs intervention

Green Lake County's 76.9-year life expectancy falls below Wisconsin's 77.8-year state average by 0.9 years, and its 20.8% poor/fair health rate is among the worst in the state. The county faces significant health disparities requiring targeted public health action.

Struggling compared to regional peers

Green Lake's 76.9-year life expectancy trails Dunn County by 2.9 years and falls even below Forest County (74.1 is lower, so Green Lake is actually higher than Forest). At 83 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Green Lake has decent primary access, but mental health services at 103 per 100,000 are among the lowest in the region.

High uninsured rate adds risk

Green Lake County's 8.7% uninsured rate matches Grant County as the highest in this group, meaning nearly 1 in 11 residents lack health coverage. Combined with below-average life expectancy and high poor/fair health rates, uninsured residents face compounded health vulnerability.

Coverage could transform Green Lake health

With one of Wisconsin's highest uninsured rates and lowest life expectancies, expanding coverage is urgent in Green Lake County. Uninsured residents should visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore subsidized plans and prevent health crises.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Green Lake County

via RiskByCounty

Green Lake faces moderate national risk

Green Lake County scores 58.05 on the composite risk scale, placing it slightly below the national average and indicating moderate natural disaster exposure. This county experiences hazards at rates comparable to much of the nation, with neither exceptionally high nor low vulnerability.

Near Wisconsin's average vulnerability

At 58.05, Green Lake County sits just slightly below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, making it a representative Wisconsin community in terms of natural disaster exposure. This places it squarely in the middle of the state's risk spectrum.

Mid-range risk in the region

Green Lake County's 58.05 score sits between safer neighbors Green County (46.41) and higher-risk areas like Grant County (61.07) and Fond du Lac County (76.30). This moderate positioning reflects balanced exposure compared to surrounding counties.

Tornadoes and flooding matter most

Tornado risk at 75.06 represents Green Lake County's primary hazard threat, while flooding at 62.31 presents substantial secondary concern, both above state averages. Wildfire (47.07), earthquake (24.01), and hurricane (12.68) risks are more moderate, though all measurable.

Invest in comprehensive coverage

With tornado risk at 75.06 and flood risk at 62.31, homeowners should prioritize robust insurance covering both wind and water damage from major storms. A well-maintained emergency plan and regular preparedness drills ensure family safety during the severe weather events common to this county.

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.