CountyScore

Lafayette County

Wisconsin · WI

#30 in Wisconsin
66.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Lafayette County, Wisconsin

Lafayette punches above the national average

Lafayette County's composite score of 66.4 places it well above the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This score reflects a county where affordability and health outcomes combine to create genuine livability for most residents.

Middle of the pack in Wisconsin

With a score of 66.4, Lafayette ranks slightly above Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, holding steady in the middle tier among the state's 72 counties. This places it among counties where livability is solid but not exceptional.

Affordability and health lead the way

Lafayette shines in housing costs, with a cost score of 77.4—homes averaging $182,100 and rents at $835/month make it genuinely accessible. Health outcomes are equally strong at 73.6, reflecting a county where residents can build stable lives without overextending financially.

Income growth lags behind neighbors

The income score of 30.4 is Lafayette's significant weak point, with a median household income of $72,091 trailing several neighboring counties. Tax burden (56.2) also runs heavier here than in comparable rural Wisconsin counties, creating a squeeze on discretionary income.

Home for families seeking affordability

Lafayette County suits rural families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and good health infrastructure over high earning potential. If your household income is stable and modest—and you value small-town living—Lafayette delivers solid livability at a reasonable price.

Score breakdown

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

Tax56.2Cost77.4SafetyComing SoonHealth73.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.4Risk66.9WaterComing Soon
🏛56.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡66.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Lafayette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Columbia County
Florida
66.4
Median income: $55,070
Madison County
Florida
66.4
Median income: $48,176
Ben Hill County
Georgia
66.4
Median income: $39,081
Jackson County
Georgia
66.4
Median income: $85,012
Miller County
Georgia
66.4
Median income: $58,407

Deep Dives

Lafayette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lafayette County

via TaxByCounty

Lafayette's taxes run above average

Lafayette County's effective tax rate of 1.637% exceeds the national median of 1.209%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. At $2,980 in median annual property tax, Lafayette homeowners pay slightly more than the national median of $2,690, despite homes here valued at $182,100—roughly 35% below the national median home price of $281,900.

Higher taxes than most Wisconsin counties

Lafayette ranks in the top third of Wisconsin's 72 counties by effective tax rate at 1.637%, compared to the state average of 1.436%. The county's median property tax of $2,980 sits just below Wisconsin's state median of $3,081.

Most expensive in the regional cluster

Lafayette's 1.637% rate edges out neighboring Manitowoc County (1.538%) and Marathon County (1.512%), though all three regional counties run above Wisconsin's state average. Among the eight-county region, only Menominee County exceeds Lafayette's tax burden at 3.636%.

Typical Lafayette home costs $2,980 yearly

On a median home value of $182,100, Lafayette County homeowners pay approximately $2,980 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises slightly to $3,058 due to escrow adjustments and potential additional fees.

You might be paying too much

Many Wisconsin homeowners are overassessed relative to true market value, and Lafayette County residents have the right to appeal their assessment through the county's equalization process. A professional reassessment could identify errors in your property's valuation and reduce your annual tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lafayette County

via CostByCounty

Lafayette rents eat 13.9% of income

Renters in Lafayette County spend 13.9% of their median household income on rent, beating the national affordability sweet spot and outperforming the state average of 14.9%. With median rent at $835 per month against a median household income of $72,091, this county offers genuinely accessible rental housing compared to most of America.

Among Wisconsin's most affordable

Lafayette ranks in the upper tier of Wisconsin counties for housing affordability, with its 13.9% rent-to-income ratio among the lowest in the state. This strong showing reflects both moderate housing costs and stable household incomes that exceed the national median of $74,755.

Lafayette keeps pace with rural peers

At $835/month, Lafayette's median rent sits below nearby Marquette County ($800) and slightly above Menominee County ($624), positioning it squarely in the sweet spot among Wisconsin's rural counties. The county's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% beats most neighbors, reflecting balanced costs relative to local earning power.

Housing takes a reasonable share

Renters dedicate about $835 monthly, while homeowners spend $1,055 on average mortgage and property costs—together, these represent 13.9% and roughly 17.5% of household income, respectively. Lafayette strikes a rare balance: housing costs stay manageable while median home values of $182,100 remain accessible to first-time buyers.

Considering a move to Wisconsin?

If housing affordability matters, Lafayette County delivers solid value: rent under $850, homeownership within reach of a $72K household income, and costs below state averages across the board. Compare this comfort zone to pricier Wisconsin counties before settling elsewhere.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lafayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Lafayette earns slightly below national average

Lafayette County's median household income of $72,091 trails the national median of $74,755 by about 3.6%, placing the county in the lower-middle tier nationally. This gap reflects the county's rural character and reliance on agriculture and small manufacturing rather than high-wage service sectors.

Above-average income for Wisconsin

At $72,091, Lafayette County ranks above Wisconsin's state median of $71,715, outearning about half of the state's 72 counties. This positions the county in the upper-middle range statewide, supported by stable agricultural production and local manufacturing employment.

Competing with neighboring counties

Lafayette's $72,091 median outpaces Marinette ($63,401) and Marquette ($63,471) but lags behind Marathon County ($76,185), Wisconsin's second-highest in this region. The $4,000+ difference between Lafayette and Marathon reflects Marathon's more diversified industrial base and higher per-capita income.

Housing costs remain manageable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.9%, Lafayette households spend less than the recommended 15% threshold on housing, indicating strong affordability. The median home value of $182,100 remains accessible for households earning the county median, supported by relatively stable property markets.

Build financial security in Lafayette

Lafayette's median income of $72,091 provides a solid foundation for long-term wealth building through retirement savings and homeownership. Consider working with a local financial advisor to maximize tax-advantaged savings accounts and explore mortgage refinancing opportunities as rates shift.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lafayette County

via HealthByCounty

Lafayette's life expectancy tops US average

At 79.4 years, Lafayette County residents live longer than the US national average of 78.9 years—a clear sign of strong community health. The county's 16.1% poor/fair health rate sits below the national average of 18%, indicating better overall health outcomes than many American counties.

Leading Wisconsin in longevity

Lafayette County's 79.4-year life expectancy ranks among the highest in Wisconsin, exceeding the state average of 77.8 years by 1.6 years. With only 16.1% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county outperforms most of its peers statewide.

Strongest health in the region

Lafayette residents live significantly longer than residents in neighboring Marinette (76.0 years) and Marquette (74.9 years) counties. The county also stands out for mental health provider availability at 189 per 100K population, though its primary care access lags at 24 per 100K compared to nearby Marathon County's 94 per 100K.

Insurance gaps remain despite strong health

One in ten Lafayette County residents—10.4%—lack health insurance, notably higher than Wisconsin's 7.0% uninsured rate. This coverage gap may challenge some residents' ability to access the preventive and ongoing care that has contributed to the county's strong longevity numbers.

Find affordable coverage today

If you're among Lafayette County's uninsured residents, the Marketplace and Medicaid expansion offer pathways to coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your county social services office to explore options that fit your budget and needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lafayette County

via RiskByCounty

Lafayette County faces very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 33.14, Lafayette County sits well below the national average and carries a "Very Low" rating for natural disaster threats. This score reflects relatively modest exposure across most hazard types, positioning the county as one of Wisconsin's safer regions for weather-related disasters.

Among Wisconsin's safest counties

Lafayette County's score of 33.14 ranks it significantly below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, placing it in the lower tier of risk statewide. Only a handful of Wisconsin counties face comparably low composite disaster risk.

Safer than surrounding counties

Lafayette County's risk profile stands out favorably against nearby counties like Marquette (47.58) and Dane County. Its Very Low rating reflects stable conditions across flood, wildfire, and earthquake risks that exceed those in many neighboring regions.

Tornado risk tops the list here

Tornadoes present Lafayette County's most significant hazard, with a risk score of 44.56—notably higher than the county's overall profile. Flooding and wildfire risks remain modest at 27.26 and 14.73 respectively, posing minimal concern for most residents.

Standard coverage meets your needs

While tornado risk warrants attention, Lafayette County residents benefit from the county's overall low hazard exposure. Maintaining standard homeowners insurance with adequate coverage for wind and hail damage provides solid protection in this relatively low-risk environment.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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