countyscore
40.2
County Score
Income & Jobs 83.1Lawn Care 71Soil Quality 69.9

County Report Card

About Kenosha County, Wisconsin

Significant Room for Growth

Kenosha County’s composite score of 39.9 falls well below the national median of 50.0. This indicates considerable challenges across several key quality-of-life metrics.

Lagging Behind the State

The county's 39.9 score is more than 10 points below the Wisconsin average of 50.3. It struggles to match the state’s overall standard for affordability and risk.

High Income Potential

The county's strength lies in its income score of 83.1, supported by a median household income of $79,412. Health and school scores also remain above 65, providing some community stability.

High Costs and Low Safety

The county faces significant hurdles with a tax score of 7.4 and a risk score of 15.0. Safety is also a concern with a score of 39.0, alongside high median rents of $1,175.

Best for High-Income Commuters

Kenosha County is best for professionals with high earnings who can offset the high cost of living and property taxes. It suits those who prioritize proximity to urban centers over low-risk environments.

20406080100915.33968.565.883.1154954.9Tax9Cost15.3Safety39Health68.5Schools65.8Income83.1Risk15Water49Weather54.940.2/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Kenosha County DNA

Foverall

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

Kenosha County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (83.1/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
9-43
Cost
15.3-32.7
Safety
39-16
Health
68.5+18.5
Schools
65.8+11.799999999999997
Income
83.1+32.099999999999994
Risk
15-32
Water
49-9
Weather
54.9
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Kenosha County?

Many homeowners in Kenosha County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$265,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,219/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$265,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$48,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $81,239/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

26.1

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

Racine County
Wisconsin
38.6
Lake County
Illinois
47.3
Walworth County
Wisconsin
50.6
McHenry County
Illinois
52.4
Milwaukee County
Wisconsin
25
Waukesha County
Wisconsin
52.1
Boone County
Illinois
43.3
Kane County
Illinois
47.1

Deep Dives

Kenosha County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kenosha County

via TaxByCounty

Kenosha County among highest-taxed nationwide

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kenosha County

via IncomeByCounty

Kenosha County near national earnings

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Kenosha County

via CrimeByCounty

Kenosha County Safer than Most U.S. Areas

Kenosha County has a safety score of 97.8, which is slightly below the state average of 98.3. Despite this, its total crime rate of 1,391.3 remains significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Navigating Urban Safety Challenges

Six reporting agencies track Kenosha County's crime data, which shows a total rate higher than the Wisconsin average of 1,103.1. This reflects the unique challenges faced by one of the state's more urban counties.

Kenosha County vs. Local Peers

Kenosha County's total crime rate of 1,391.3 per 100K is higher than more rural neighbors like Jefferson. However, it still offers a safer environment than many similarly sized metropolitan areas across the country.

Violent and Property Crime Analysis

The county sees 321.3 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, which is nearly double the state average. Property crime at 1,070.0 makes up the majority of incidents but stays well below the national property crime rate.

Comprehensive Security for Urban Living

Urban environments like Kenosha benefit greatly from comprehensive home security systems. Visible cameras and alarm monitoring help reduce the risk of property theft in busier neighborhoods.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Kenosha County

via WeatherByCounty

Wisconsin’s Warmest National Profile

Kenosha County reaches an annual average of 48.3°F, the closest in this group to the national median of 53.8°F. It represents the southern extreme of the state's climate profile.

The State’s Southern Warm Spot

Averaging 48.3°F, Kenosha is nearly 4 degrees warmer than the Wisconsin average of 44.4°F. It experiences some of the mildest winters in the entire state.

Warmer and Drier than Inland

Kenosha is significantly warmer than Kewaunee County's 44.3°F average. It also sees less snowfall, with 36.2 inches compared to the 40+ inches seen in Jefferson and Iowa counties.

Hot Summers and Tame Winters

July averages a state-high 72.1°F with 10 days of extreme heat. January is relatively mild for Wisconsin at 22.9°F, leading to the lowest snowfall in this group at 36.2 inches.

Invest in Cooling Efficiency

High-efficiency air conditioning is a smart investment for the 10 days of 90°F heat. While snow is lighter here, residents still need to prepare for the 25.9°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Kenosha County

via SoilByCounty

Productive Silt Loam Mollisols

Kenosha County sits on fertile Mollisols with an average pH of 5.86, which is higher than the state average of 5.63. While still more acidic than the national median of 6.5, these soils are naturally rich in nutrients. These 'prairie soils' are famous for their deep, dark topsoil layers.

Balanced and Workable Silt Loam

The dominant texture is silt loam, featuring 41.7% silt and 31.3% sand. The 16.0% clay content adds enough structure to hold nutrients without making the soil difficult to till. This balanced mix is highly prized for its ability to support a wide range of garden plants and field crops.

Reliable Water Storage Capacity

Kenosha's available water capacity is 0.195 in/in, slightly below the state average of 0.204. Organic matter stands at 5.54%, which is more than double the national average of 2.0% but lower than the state's 11.02%. This indicates a consistent and fertile growing environment that responds well to compost.

Steady Moisture Control

Classified as moderately well-drained, this soil keeps moisture accessible without staying saturated for too long. It falls into Hydrologic Group B/D, suggesting drainage can vary depending on the local water table. It is generally a stable choice for residential landscaping and gardening.

Growing Success in Zone 5b

The 69.9 soil score indicates a quality above the state average of 68.2, supporting a long list of successful crops. In Zone 5b, gardeners can enjoy a relatively long growing season for tomatoes, peppers, and beans. The fertile silt loam is an excellent asset for any home grower.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Kenosha County

via LawnByCounty

Kenosha Lawns Benefit from Lake Influence

Kenosha County scores a 71.0 for lawn difficulty, outperforming the state average of 64.4. Located in Hardiness Zone 5b, it offers a milder climate that is conducive to diverse grass types.

High Heat and Warm Winters

With 2,710 growing degree days and 10 extreme heat days, Kenosha is warmer than much of Wisconsin. The 35.7 inches of annual rainfall supports this extra growth, though the heat requires more attentive summer watering.

Rich Silt Loam Foundations

The soil pH of 5.86 is very close to the ideal range, while the silt loam texture provides excellent moisture retention. Moderately well-drained conditions help maintain 16.0% clay and 31.3% sand for a robust root system.

Managing Dry Southern Spells

Despite 14 weeks of drought last year, the county currently has 100% abnormally dry coverage. Homeowners should utilize mulch-mowing to retain soil moisture during these frequent dry periods.

Kenosha's Extended Planting Window

The growing season is long, starting April 28 and lasting until October 19. This gives you plenty of time to establish heat-tolerant turf like Tall Fescue blends.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kenosha County's county score?
Kenosha County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 40.2 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 Kenosha County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Kenosha County ranks #66 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 Kenosha County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Kenosha County is $4,179, with an effective tax rate of 1.57%. This earns Kenosha County a tax score of 9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kenosha County?
The median household income in Kenosha County, Wisconsin is $81,239 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kenosha County earns an income score of 83.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kenosha County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Kenosha County scores 40.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #66 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Kenosha 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 Kenosha 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.