Kenosha County's livability score of 58.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the 58th percentile among U.S. counties. It's a moderately livable option on a national basis.
2 / 5
Below Wisconsin state average
Kenosha County's 58.4 score trails Wisconsin's 65.6 state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 72 counties. It's the least livable of the eight counties profiled here.
3 / 5
Income and health provide foundation
Kenosha County's median household income of $79,412 (score: 35.2) is competitive, and its health score of 73.4 signals solid community wellness. It offers proximity to urban amenities with moderate affordability.
4 / 5
Risk exposure and cost concerns
The risk score of just 15.0 is the lowest among these eight counties, indicating significant environmental or hazard vulnerability. Cost is also a challenge, with median rent at $1,175/month and homes valued at $247,800—the highest in this group.
5 / 5
Right for urban-adjacent commuters
Kenosha County suits professionals commuting to Chicago or Milwaukee who accept higher costs and known risk factors for urban job access and services. It's best for those whose employment trade-off justifies the livability score.
Kenosha County's livability score of 58.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the 58th percentile among U.S. counties. It's a moderately livable option on a national basis.
Below Wisconsin state average
Kenosha County's 58.4 score trails Wisconsin's 65.6 state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 72 counties. It's the least livable of the eight counties profiled here.
Income and health provide foundation
Kenosha County's median household income of $79,412 (score: 35.2) is competitive, and its health score of 73.4 signals solid community wellness. It offers proximity to urban amenities with moderate affordability.
Risk exposure and cost concerns
The risk score of just 15.0 is the lowest among these eight counties, indicating significant environmental or hazard vulnerability. Cost is also a challenge, with median rent at $1,175/month and homes valued at $247,800—the highest in this group.
Right for urban-adjacent commuters
Kenosha County suits professionals commuting to Chicago or Milwaukee who accept higher costs and known risk factors for urban job access and services. It's best for those whose employment trade-off justifies the livability score.
Score breakdown
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🏛54.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Kenosha County's effective tax rate of 1.687% ranks in the top 25% of all U.S. counties, significantly above the national median of 1.290%. Only one in four American counties impose higher property tax rates than Kenosha.
Highest rate in Wisconsin
Kenosha County ranks 1st statewide for effective tax rate at 1.687%, substantially above Wisconsin's 1.436% average. The median tax bill of $4,180 exceeds the state median by $1,099—the largest gap of any Wisconsin county.
Highest taxes in the entire region
Kenosha County's 1.687% rate surpasses all comparable nearby counties, including La Crosse County (1.629%), Iowa County (1.557%), and Jefferson County (1.571%). It stands alone as the regional tax leader.
On a median home: $4,180 yearly
A typical $247,800 home in Kenosha County generates an annual tax bill of $4,180, about $348 per month. With mortgage deductions, the bill rises to $4,256, making Kenosha one of Wisconsin's most expensive tax environments.
Don't miss your appeal deadline
With Kenosha's highest-in-state tax rate, overassessments hit harder here than anywhere in Wisconsin. Review your assessment carefully and file an appeal if needed—the county assessor's office processes requests annually, and successful appeals save hundreds per year.
Kenosha County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio stands well above the national comfort zone, making it Wisconsin's least affordable market in this comparison. At $1,175 monthly median rent against a $79,412 median income, renters here devote nearly a fifth of earnings to housing costs.
Wisconsin's tightest housing market
Kenosha County tops the list for housing pressure with a 17.8% rent-to-income ratio—significantly above Wisconsin's 14.9% state average. Median rent of $1,175 exceeds the state average by 32%, driven by proximity to Milwaukee and Chicago markets.
Premium Lake Michigan location
Kenosha County's $1,175 median rent is the highest in this entire comparison—$234 more than Jefferson County and $536 more than Jackson County. Home values of $247,800 reflect the same regional premium, making Kenosha a budget stretch for most relocating households.
Kenosha County's steep housing burden
Renters spend $1,175 monthly (17.8% of the $79,412 median income) while homeowners commit $1,341 (20.2% of income). Both figures approach or exceed the 30% affordability threshold, leaving households with limited flexibility for other expenses.
Kenosha County: for high-income movers only
Kenosha's Lake Michigan location and Milwaukee proximity come at a steep price—the highest housing costs in this comparison. Only consider relocating here if your household income significantly exceeds the $79,412 median or if urban amenities justify the 17.8% housing burden.
At $79,412, Kenosha County's median household income runs 6.2% above the U.S. median of $74,755. The county's proximity to Milwaukee and diverse employment sectors support above-average household earnings.
Strong Wisconsin income ranking
Kenosha County ranks well above the Wisconsin state average of $71,715, with median household income 10.6% higher. The county captures economic spillover from the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
Upper-middle earner regionally
Kenosha County households earn $3,808 less than Iowa County ($83,372) but $13,904 more than Jackson County ($65,508). The income level reflects the county's suburban character and access to diversified metro employment.
Housing costs rising in Kenosha
Kenosha County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among comparison counties, signaling housing affordability pressure. The median home value of $247,800 absorbs substantial share of household budgets in an increasingly expensive market.
Manage rising costs while investing
Kenosha County's $79,412 income supports wealth-building despite housing costs: households can dedicate 10-12% of gross income to retirement savings while managing mortgages. Prioritize employer matches and tax-deferred accounts for maximum growth.
At 76.7 years, Kenosha County residents live 1.2 years below the U.S. average of 77.9 years. With 17.9% reporting poor or fair health compared to 17.4% nationally, the county sits just above the national average in self-reported poor health.
Kenosha County trails Wisconsin averages
Kenosha County's 76.7-year life expectancy falls 1.1 years below Wisconsin's 77.8-year average. The county's 17.9% poor/fair health rate also exceeds the state trend, indicating relative health challenges.
Kenosha County among the weaker performers
With a 76.7-year life expectancy, Kenosha County ranks near Jackson County (76.4 years) and well below top performers like Kewaunee County (79.9 years). Its 17.9% poor/fair health rate ties it with some of the region's least healthy counties.
Insurance and provider access both adequate
Kenosha County's 6.5% uninsured rate sits slightly below Wisconsin's 7.0%, and 49 primary care providers per 100,000 offer moderate access to routine care. Despite reasonable structural support, health outcomes suggest other barriers—possibly lifestyle or chronic disease—are at play.
Strengthen Kenosha County's health coverage
Over 6% of Kenosha County residents lack health insurance. Check your coverage at Healthcare.gov to ensure you have access to the primary care and preventive services that could help reverse the county's health trends.
Kenosha County scores 84.96, earning a Relatively Moderate rating and placing it in the higher-risk category nationally. The county faces significant natural disaster exposure compared to the typical American county.
Wisconsin's Highest-Risk County
Kenosha County's score of 84.96 is the highest in Wisconsin and 44% above the state average of 59.08. The county experiences substantially greater natural disaster exposure than virtually all other Wisconsin counties.
Substantially Riskier Than Regional Peers
Kenosha County (84.96) significantly exceeds neighbors like Jefferson County (75.80) and La Crosse County (80.53). As the state's riskiest county, Kenosha faces unique hazard exposure in southeastern Wisconsin.
Tornadoes, Floods, and Earthquakes Threaten
Kenosha County's tornado risk of 92.68 is among the highest in the nation, followed by flood risk at 76.59. Earthquake risk (61.45) is unusually high for Wisconsin, likely due to proximity to Lake Michigan and underlying geology.
Comprehensive Coverage Essential for Kenosha
Kenosha County residents must obtain flood insurance and verify robust wind coverage in their homeowners policies, given the tornado risk. Consider earthquake insurance as an additional safeguard—the county's elevated seismic activity is rare for Wisconsin and requires special attention.