countyscore
39.9
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.

Score breakdown

Tax7.4Cost14.7Safety39Health68.5Schools65.8Income83.1Risk15Water49Weather54.9
🏛7.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠14.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼83.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡39
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤68.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓65.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡15
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧49
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤54.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨69.9
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱71
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Racine County
Wisconsin
38.7
Lake County
Illinois
47.2
Walworth County
Wisconsin
50.4
McHenry County
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Milwaukee County
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Waukesha County
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Boone County
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Kane County
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Deep Dives

Kenosha County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Cost of Living in Kenosha County

via CostByCounty

Kenosha County: Wisconsin's affordability outlier

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.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Kenosha County

via HealthByCounty

Kenosha County below national health benchmarks

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.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Kenosha County

via SchoolsByCounty

Expansive Suburban School Infrastructure

Kenosha County manages a massive system of 55 public schools serving 25,944 students across 13 districts. The county is a hub for elementary education, boasting 35 primary campuses to support early childhood growth.

Solid Performance in a Large-Scale System

The county maintains a 91.5% graduation rate, nearly matching the state average and exceeding the national benchmark. Per-pupil spending of $8,387 supports a healthy 57.3 school score across its diverse urban and suburban districts.

Kenosha Unified: A Major Educational Pillar

The Kenosha School District dominates the landscape with 43 schools and 19,069 students. The county also offers six charter schools, including the 1,215-student Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum.

Suburban Scale and Diverse Offerings

With 48 schools in suburban locales, the average enrollment of 472 reflects a more traditional, large-scale educational feel. Indian Trail High School and Academy is the largest campus, hosting nearly 2,000 students.

Live Near Exceptional High School Academies

For those seeking robust extracurriculars and diverse curriculum options, Kenosha County is a premier destination. Start browsing homes near Indian Trail or Tremper to enjoy suburban living with top-tier school access.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kenosha County

via RiskByCounty

Kenosha County: Moderate U.S. Risk Profile

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.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

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 39.9 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 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 $4,180, with an effective tax rate of 1.69%. This earns Kenosha County a tax score of 7.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kenosha County?
The median household income in Kenosha County, Wisconsin is $79,412 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 39.9/100 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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