La Crosse County

Wisconsin · WI

#64 in Wisconsin
61.9
County Score

County Report Card

About La Crosse County, Wisconsin

La Crosse exceeds national average

La Crosse County's livability score of 61.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the 62nd percentile among American counties. It's a solid performer on national livability metrics.

Slightly below Wisconsin average

La Crosse County's 61.9 score falls modestly below Wisconsin's 65.6 state average, placing it in the middle-lower tier of the state's 72 counties. It's a reasonably livable Wisconsin community overall.

Health is the standout strength

La Crosse County excels with a health score of 80.0, the highest among health dimensions in this entire profile, reflecting excellent community wellness. Housing costs are moderate at $1,023/month rent and $243,200 median home value.

Risk and income lag noticeably

The risk score of 19.5 indicates significant environmental or natural hazard exposure, a major livability constraint. Income at $70,704 median household (29.5 score) also trails state benchmarks.

Ideal for health-conscious newcomers

La Crosse County suits healthcare workers, educators, and families prioritizing outstanding health services and outcomes despite moderate risk exposure. It's best for those who've evaluated environmental factors and accept them in trade for excellent wellness services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax56.4Cost71.3SafetyComing SoonHealth80SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.5Risk19.5WaterComing Soon
🏛56.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠71.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼29.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
80
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
19.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

La Crosse County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in La Crosse County

via TaxByCounty

La Crosse County taxes rank high nationally

La Crosse County's effective tax rate of 1.629% places it in the top 30% of all U.S. counties, well above the national median of 1.290%. Only about three in ten American counties impose higher property tax rates.

Third-highest rate in Wisconsin

La Crosse County ranks 3rd statewide with an effective rate of 1.629%, notably above Wisconsin's 1.436% average. The median tax bill of $3,963 exceeds the state median by $882, representing a substantial annual burden.

Among the highest in region

La Crosse County's 1.629% rate is surpassed only by Kenosha County (1.687%) in the region, exceeding Iowa County (1.557%), Jefferson County (1.571%), and Juneau County (1.524%). It ranks second regionally for tax burden.

On a median home: $3,963 yearly

A typical $243,200 home in La Crosse County generates an annual tax bill of $3,963, roughly $330 per month. With mortgage deductions, this increases to $3,989, while homes owned free and clear pay $3,920.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Given La Crosse County's elevated tax rates, homeowners should carefully scrutinize their assessments for accuracy. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and straightforward—many overassessed properties successfully reduce their tax bills.

Cost of Living in La Crosse County

via CostByCounty

La Crosse County: affordability under strain

La Crosse County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national comfort threshold, indicating that housing demands a substantial share of household budgets. At $70,704 median household income—$4,051 below the national average—residents feel the squeeze acutely.

Second-most expensive Wisconsin market

La Crosse County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio trails only Kenosha County's 17.8% among Wisconsin counties in this comparison. Median rent of $1,023 runs 15% higher than the state average, reflecting the city's position as a regional economic hub.

Premium costs for regional center

La Crosse County's $1,023 median rent exceeds rural Iowa ($941), Jackson ($789), and Juneau ($847) counties significantly. Home values of $243,200 place it among Wisconsin's pricier markets, second only to Jefferson ($253,800) and Kenosha ($247,800) in this comparison.

La Crosse County housing pressure

Renters spend $1,023 monthly (17.4% of the $70,704 median income) while homeowners allocate $1,221 (20.7% of income). Homeownership particularly strains budgets here, pushing uncomfortably close to the 30% affordability ceiling for many households.

La Crosse County: for established professionals

La Crosse's second-highest housing costs in Wisconsin make it suitable primarily for established professionals with incomes well above the $70,704 median. If you're seeking an affordable regional hub, compare this against Jackson or Juneau counties for considerably lower housing burden.

Income & Jobs in La Crosse County

via IncomeByCounty

La Crosse County below national average

At $70,704, La Crosse County's median household income falls 5.4% short of the U.S. median of $74,755. The shortfall reflects economic dependence on education, healthcare, and retail employment.

Near Wisconsin's median income level

La Crosse County's median household income of $70,704 is essentially in line with Wisconsin's state average of $71,715—nearly identical. The county represents typical Wisconsin earning patterns.

Mid-range earner in regional peer group

La Crosse County households earn $5,001 more than Jackson County ($65,508) but $12,668 less than Iowa County ($83,372). The moderate income reflects the county's regional hub status without highest-wage sectors.

Housing costs consume significant share

La Crosse County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio is elevated, reflecting strong housing demand from university and professional sectors. The median home value of $243,200 creates affordability pressure on modest household incomes.

Invest despite modest income growth

La Crosse County households earning $70,704 can build wealth by automating savings—even $100 monthly reduces housing pressure and creates retirement security. University and healthcare employer benefits often include generous retirement matching plans worth maximizing.

Health in La Crosse County

via HealthByCounty

La Crosse County exceeds national health standards

At 78.9 years, La Crosse County residents live nearly 1 year longer than the U.S. average of 77.9 years. With 13.9% reporting poor or fair health versus 17.4% nationally, the county shows strong health outcomes across all measures.

La Crosse County tops Wisconsin averages

La Crosse County's 78.9-year life expectancy is the second-highest in this group and surpasses Wisconsin's 77.8-year average by 1.1 years. The county's 5.1% uninsured rate ranks among the best in the state.

La Crosse County is a top regional performer

With a 78.9-year life expectancy and only 13.9% poor/fair health, La Crosse County ranks second only to Kewaunee County (79.9 years) in this peer group. Its strong metrics reflect a well-functioning health system.

Exceptional provider and coverage access

La Crosse County has the highest concentration of primary care providers (140 per 100,000) and mental health providers (393 per 100,000) among all eight counties. The 5.1% uninsured rate—one of the lowest—means residents can actually access this exceptional capacity.

Sustain La Crosse County's health leadership

Over 5% of La Crosse County residents are uninsured—low but not zero. Secure your coverage at Healthcare.gov to ensure you're part of this county's exceptional health infrastructure.

Disaster Risk in La Crosse County

via RiskByCounty

La Crosse County: Above-Average U.S. Risk

La Crosse County scores 80.53 on the composite risk index, earning a Relatively Low rating but exceeding most American counties. The county faces elevated natural disaster exposure compared to typical U.S. peers.

Among Wisconsin's Highest-Risk Counties

La Crosse County's score of 80.53 exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 59.08 by about 36%, ranking it among the state's riskiest counties. Only Kenosha County faces higher composite risk in Wisconsin.

Riskier Than Most South-Central Neighbors

La Crosse County (80.53) significantly exceeds Jackson County (48.06) and Iowa County (23.38) to the east. The county faces greater hazard exposure than most of its regional peers.

Tornadoes and Floods Dominate Hazards

La Crosse County's tornado risk of 84.57 is its highest threat, with flood risk at 74.05 as a close second. Earthquake risk (22.77) and wildfire risk (11.83) present secondary concerns; hurricane risk remains minimal.

Prioritize Flood and Tornado Insurance

La Crosse County residents must secure separate flood insurance, especially in the county's river valleys and low-lying areas. Develop a comprehensive tornado safety plan and ensure your homeowners policy provides excellent wind and hail coverage.

ByCounty Network

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