CountyScore

Lincoln County

Wisconsin · WI

#22 in Wisconsin
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Wisconsin

Lincoln exceeds national livability standards

Lincoln County's score of 67.5 sits solidly above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the more livable U.S. counties overall. This north-central Wisconsin county delivers reliable quality of life across health, affordability, and financial stability metrics.

Above-average performer in Wisconsin

Lincoln ranks above the Wisconsin state average of 65.6 with its 67.5 score, positioning it in the state's upper tier of livable counties. It competes well with other rural Wisconsin communities.

Affordability, health, and tax moderation

Lincoln delivers on cost with a score of 81.2—median home value at $177,700 and rent at $768/month—plus excellent health outcomes of 74.5. The tax burden of 62.2 (1.424% effective rate) is reasonable for a Wisconsin county.

Income and environmental risk need work

The income score of 27.6 reflects median household earnings of $67,726, limiting wealth-building opportunities for ambitious professionals. A risk score of 47.4 suggests moderate exposure to economic or environmental pressures.

Sweet spot for stable, family-oriented living

Lincoln County suits families earning modest, stable incomes who want good health care, affordable housing, and peaceful rural roots. If you prioritize community stability over career advancement and are comfortable with a slower pace, Lincoln delivers balanced livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.2Cost81.2SafetyComing SoonHealth74.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.6Risk47.4WaterComing Soon
🏛62.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡47.4
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 Lincoln County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Shelby County
Alabama
67.5
Median income: $93,543
Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
67.5
Median income: $48,233
Suwannee County
Florida
67.5
Median income: $55,479
Appling County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $43,728
Baldwin County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $55,413

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln tracks close to national average

Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 1.424% slightly exceeds the national median of 1.209%, placing it in the middle tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,530 sits 6% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Lincoln's lower home values of $177,700 versus the national average of $281,900.

Slightly below Wisconsin's state average

Lincoln ranks near the middle of Wisconsin's 72 counties at an effective tax rate of 1.424%, marginally below the state average of 1.436%. The county's median property tax of $2,530 falls well short of Wisconsin's state median of $3,081.

Moderate taxes for north-central region

Lincoln's 1.424% rate sits comfortably between Langlade County (1.335%) and Marathon County (1.512%), representing a balanced tax environment. The county offers slightly higher rates than neighbors Marinette (1.261%) and Marquette (1.347%) but lower than Manitowoc (1.538%).

Expect roughly $2,530 in annual taxes

On a median home value of $177,700, Lincoln County homeowners pay approximately $2,530 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow, that rises to about $2,593.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Lincoln County homeowners should periodically verify their property assessments match current market conditions, as overassessments are common statewide. Wisconsin law allows you to appeal assessments through your town board of review, potentially lowering your tax burden significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lincoln County

via CostByCounty

Lincoln balances rent and income well

Lincoln County renters spend 13.6% of their $67,726 median household income on a $768 monthly rent, edging out the Wisconsin state average of 14.9% and sitting comfortably within national affordability norms. This county delivers solid value for renters seeking a Midwest home without breaking the budget.

Upper-tier affordability in Wisconsin

Lincoln's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Wisconsin's better county performers, reflecting a healthy balance of moderate rents and stable incomes just below the national median. The county punches above its weight on housing affordability.

Lincoln splits the difference regionally

At $768/month, Lincoln sits between cheaper Langlade ($737) and pricier Marinette ($749) and Manitowoc ($777), while its rent-to-income ratio of 13.6% matches Manitowoc exactly and beats nearly all rural peers. Lincoln offers the middle path: neither the lowest rents nor the highest incomes, but excellent balance.

Balanced burden for renters and owners

Renters allocate $768 monthly (13.6%), while homeowners pay $885 monthly—about 15.7% of income—for median-valued homes of $177,700. The roughly 2-percentage-point gap between renting and owning costs remains manageable for households across the affordability spectrum.

Solid middle ground for Wisconsin moves

Lincoln County offers reliable affordability without extremes: $768 rent, $67K household income, and a 13.6% ratio that beats state averages. If you're shopping Wisconsin counties for balance, Lincoln deserves serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln income near but below national mark

Lincoln County's median household income of $67,726 trails the national median of $74,755 by 9.4%, reflecting a modest income gap compared to the broader U.S. economy. The county's per-capita income of $38,296 matches the state average, indicating more even income distribution than some peers.

Close to Wisconsin's state median

At $67,726, Lincoln ranks slightly below Wisconsin's state median of $71,715, placing it in the middle tier of Wisconsin counties. The $3,989 shortfall is relatively small, positioning Lincoln as a stable, middle-class county within Wisconsin's economic spectrum.

Mid-range earner among nearby counties

Lincoln's $67,726 median sits between lower-performing Langlade ($57,258) and higher-performing Marathon ($76,185), anchoring the regional middle. Its per-capita income of $38,296 actually exceeds the state average of $38,794, suggesting a more equitable earnings distribution than wealthier neighbors.

Housing remains affordable for most

Lincoln's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 15% affordability threshold, giving households breathing room in housing budgets. The median home value of $177,700 aligns well with the $67,726 median income, supporting stable homeownership rates.

Steady growth through local investment

Lincoln's median income of $67,726 and strong housing affordability create a stable platform for wealth accumulation through homeownership and retirement savings. Consider leveraging employer benefits and exploring first-time homebuyer programs to lock in the county's favorable housing market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lincoln County

via HealthByCounty

Lincoln County health trails national average

Lincoln County residents have a life expectancy of 75.9 years, about 3 years below the US national average of 78.9 years. The county's 15.8% poor/fair health rate is slightly below the national average of 18%, but the lower life expectancy suggests underlying mortality risk factors beyond self-reported health status.

Among Wisconsin's lowest life expectancy

At 75.9 years, Lincoln County's life expectancy ranks in the lower quarter of Wisconsin counties, falling 1.9 years short of the state's 77.8-year average. This gap signals a need for focused public health efforts on disease prevention and early intervention.

Struggling against stronger regional peers

Lincoln County residents live notably shorter lives than Marathon County residents (78.4 years), a gap of 2.5 years, and have fewer primary care providers at 49 per 100K compared to Marathon's 94 per 100K. The county's mental health provider supply at 70 per 100K is the lowest among its neighboring counties.

Well-insured but limited provider access

Lincoln County's 6.5% uninsured rate sits slightly below Wisconsin's state average, meaning most residents have coverage. However, with just 49 primary care providers per 100K and 70 mental health providers per 100K, residents may struggle to find timely appointments.

Strengthen your health coverage today

If you're uninsured, healthcare.gov and Wisconsin BadgerCare offer coverage options that may reduce barriers to care. Even if insured, explore telehealth options to supplement limited local provider access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lincoln County

via RiskByCounty

Lincoln County faces relatively low risk

Lincoln County's composite risk score of 52.64 sits below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, earning a "Relatively Low" rating for national disaster exposure. The score reflects moderate hazard exposure without extreme concentrations.

Below-average risk across Wisconsin

At 52.64, Lincoln County scores meaningfully lower than the state average of 59.08, ranking it in the safer half of Wisconsin's 72 counties. This reflects the county's relatively modest exposure to most major hazard types.

Safer than nearby Marathon County

Lincoln County's 52.64 score compares favorably to Marathon County (87.15), its largest neighbor, though it ranks slightly higher than Langlade County (49.55). The county occupies a moderate position within its regional hazard landscape.

Flooding is Lincoln's primary threat

Flood risk dominates Lincoln County's profile at 56.20—the single largest hazard exposure in the county. Tornado risk (44.02) and wildfire risk (29.61) follow as secondary concerns, while earthquake and hurricane risks remain minimal.

Flood insurance should be priority one

Lincoln County residents face notable flood risk and should evaluate whether flood insurance makes sense for their property location and home value. Complementing this with standard homeowners coverage for wind and hail creates a well-rounded protection strategy.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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