countyscore
52.2
County Score
Lawn Care 77.7Safety 70.1Soil Quality 66.2

County Report Card

About Green Lake County, Wisconsin

Outpacing the National Median

Green Lake County earns a 51.8 composite score, placing it above the national median of 50.0. This indicates a solid baseline of livability and local amenities.

Stronger Than the State Average

The county's 51.8 score outperforms the Wisconsin state average of 50.3. It offers a more compelling profile than many of its central Wisconsin neighbors.

High Safety and Good Schools

Safety is a hallmark of the county with a 70.1 score, providing a secure environment for residents. Education also ranks well with a 64.8 school score and a decent income score of 58.9.

Taxation and Environmental Risk

A tax score of 20.4 shows that the tax burden is a significant factor for residents. The risk score of 42.0 also suggests moderate exposure to environmental or natural hazards.

A Balanced Choice for Families

Green Lake County suits those seeking a safe, traditional family life with reliable schools. It offers a middle-ground approach to cost and income that works well for many demographics.

2040608010020.94970.153.764.8584246.449.5Tax20.9Cost49Safety70.1Health53.7Schools64.8Income58Risk42Water46.4Weather49.552.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average2 below average

Green Lake County DNA

Foverall

How Green Lake County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Green Lake County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (70.1/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (20.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
20.9-31.1
Cost
49
Safety
70.1+15.099999999999994
Health
53.7
Schools
64.8+10.799999999999997
Income
58
Risk
42
Water
46.4-11.600000000000001
Weather
49.5
Sponsored

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Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$215,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$818/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$215,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $68,196/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Green Lake County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

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.

Safety in Green Lake County

via CrimeByCounty

Green Lake County remains exceptionally safe

Green Lake County reports a total crime rate of 701.8 per 100,000, which is over three times lower than the national average. This safety is reflected in its high safety score of 98.9.

Surpassing Wisconsin's overall safety score

The county's safety score of 98.9 is higher than the state average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 701.8 is also much more favorable than the Wisconsin average of 1103.1.

A secure alternative to Fond du Lac

Green Lake County's rate of 701.8 is significantly lower than neighboring Fond du Lac County's rate of 1135.3. Residents here enjoy a more peaceful environment compared to their more urban neighbor.

Property crimes dominate local reports

Violent crime is low at 130.9 per 100,000, while property crime accounts for 570.9. These figures suggest that the county is a very safe place to live and work with minimal risk of serious crime.

Protecting your home in Green Lake

Homeowners should focus on deterring property crime, which is the most frequent issue in the area. Standard security measures like deadbolts and alarm systems help ensure the county remains a safe haven.

Weather & Climate in Green Lake County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Northern Temperatures

Green Lake County maintains an annual average temperature of 45.9°F. This keeps the county cooler than the national median but places it firmly in the productive agricultural climate of the upper Midwest.

Warmer and Wetter Than Average

The county is slightly warmer than the state average of 44.4°F and receives 36.0 inches of precipitation. This puts it 1.5 inches above the state average for annual rainfall and snow-melt.

Snowier than Fond du Lac

Green Lake receives 45.5 inches of snow annually, which is significantly more than neighboring Fond du Lac’s 37.8 inches. Despite this, the two counties share very similar average annual temperatures.

A Ten-Day Heat Peak

July brings an average temperature of 71.1°F, with about 10 days of heat reaching or exceeding 90°F. Winter averages 20.7°F, supported by a January low that typically hovers around 17.8°F.

Prepare for Seasonal Moisture

With 45.5 inches of snowfall, reliable snow removal and roof maintenance are key for local homeowners. Cooling capacity should be planned to handle the 10 days of extreme summer heat.

Soil Quality in Green Lake County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced Alfisols and Loamy Textures

The soil here is classified as Alfisols with a loam texture and a pH of 6.08. This chemical balance is much closer to the national median of 6.5 than the typical Wisconsin soil profile.

The Ideal Loam for Gardeners

With 44.9% sand and 36.0% silt, the soil offers the perfect 'loam' feel that is prized for its workability. The 12.2% clay content provides enough stickiness to hold nutrients without causing drainage issues.

Healthy Biology with Moderate Water

The 5.54% organic matter content more than doubles the national average, providing plenty of fuel for plants. While the water capacity of 0.177 is below the state average, the high organic content helps maintain soil health.

Well-Drained Land for Stable Growth

The soil is officially classified as 'Well drained' and belongs to hydrologic group B. This is the ideal scenario for most plants and construction projects, as it prevents standing water while keeping roots hydrated.

Success in Zone 5a Landscapes

Green Lake County earns a 66.2 soil score, making it a reliable place for a productive garden in Zone 5a. The well-drained loamy soil is particularly well-suited for root vegetables and fruit trees.

Lawn Care in Green Lake County

via LawnByCounty

Wisconsin's Top-Tier Lawn Conditions

Green Lake County boasts a 77.7 difficulty score, making it the easiest place in this group to maintain a beautiful lawn. It far exceeds both the state average and the national median for growth potential.

A Strong Climate for Lush Grass

With 36.0 inches of precipitation and 2,541 growing degree days, the climate supports vigorous growth. Despite 10 extreme heat days, the overall environment is highly favorable for cool-season turf varieties in Zone 5a.

Ideal Loam and Perfect Drainage

The soil is classified as a well-drained loam, which is the gold standard for home lawns. A pH of 6.08 means the soil is naturally balanced and ready to support thick, healthy grass with minimal intervention.

Short-Term Dryness in a Resilient County

Green Lake had zero weeks of formal drought over the last year, though 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry. This resilient soil base recovers quickly, but supplemental watering will help maintain color during this dry patch.

Maximum Success with Standard Blends

Kentucky Bluegrass thrives in the loam soils of Green Lake County. Plan to start your seeding or sodding projects after the final spring frost, which typically occurs around May 8th.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Green Lake County's county score?
Green Lake County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 52.2 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 Green Lake County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Green Lake County ranks #32 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 Green Lake County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Green Lake County is $2,718, with an effective tax rate of 1.26%. This earns Green Lake County a tax score of 20.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Green Lake County?
The median household income in Green Lake County, Wisconsin is $68,196 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Green Lake County earns an income score of 58/100 on CountyScore.
Is Green Lake County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Green Lake County scores 52.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #32 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Green Lake 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 Green Lake County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.