CountyScore

Marinette County

Wisconsin · WI

#33 in Wisconsin
66.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Marinette County, Wisconsin

Marinette delivers solid national livability

Marinette County's score of 66.2 beats the national median of 50.0, placing it among reliable U.S. counties for quality of life. This northeast Wisconsin county on Lake Michigan offers stable livability with strong tax efficiency.

Slightly above Wisconsin's average

Marinette's 66.2 score edges above the Wisconsin average of 65.6, ranking it in the middle-upper tier of the state's counties. It holds its own in the rural livability category.

Best-in-class tax efficiency and affordability

Marinette shines with the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at 1.261% (tax score 66.8) and strong housing affordability at 83.2—rent at $749/month and homes at $154,600. Together these create genuine financial breathing room.

Limited income growth and health variability

The income score of 24.8 reflects median household income of $63,401, offering limited wage advancement. Health score of 72.3 is respectable but trails several peers, suggesting more limited medical infrastructure.

Perfect for tax-conscious, frugal living

Marinette County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families focused on minimizing tax burden and living affordably near the lake. If tax efficiency and cost control are your top priorities, Marinette's numbers are the strongest in this group.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.8Cost83.2SafetyComing SoonHealth72.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.8Risk20WaterComing Soon
🏛66.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡20
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 Marinette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Benton County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $89,879
Phillips County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $38,874
Sumter County
Florida
66.2
Median income: $73,297
Carroll County
Georgia
66.2
Median income: $72,327
Plaquemines Parish
Louisiana
66.2
Median income: $82,874

Deep Dives

Marinette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marinette County

via TaxByCounty

Marinette offers rare tax savings

Marinette County's effective tax rate of 1.261% falls below the national median of 1.209%, making it genuinely affordable for property owners relative to the country. At $1,950 in median annual property tax, Marinette is 28% cheaper than the national median of $2,690, with homes valued well below the national average at $154,600.

Wisconsin's most affordable tax county

Marinette ranks at the very bottom of Wisconsin's 72 counties by effective tax rate at 1.261%, substantially below the state average of 1.436%. The median property tax of $1,950 is 37% lower than Wisconsin's state median of $3,081, making Marinette the tax bargain in the state.

The regional tax champion

Marinette's 1.261% rate is the lowest in the eight-county region, beating the second-place Langlade County (1.335%) by nearly 0.07 percentage points. This translates to meaningful savings compared to neighbors Manitowoc (1.538%), Marathon (1.512%), and Menominee (3.636%).

Budget just $1,950 in annual taxes

On a median home value of $154,600, Marinette County homeowners pay approximately $1,950 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $2,070.

Lock in your low assessment

Even at Marinette's favorable tax rates, periodic assessment reviews ensure accuracy and can uncover any overvaluations. Homeowners should monitor their property value estimates and appeal if assessed above fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marinette County

via CostByCounty

Marinette keeps rents in check at 14.2%

Marinette County renters spend 14.2% of their $63,401 median household income on $749 monthly rent, edging slightly above Wisconsin's state average of 14.9% despite notably lower household incomes. This county delivers rental affordability for those with modest earning power.

Above-average affordability in Wisconsin

With a 14.2% rent-to-income ratio, Marinette ranks among Wisconsin's better-performing counties despite below-average household incomes, reflecting genuinely low rents relative to local earning capacity. The county's affordability advantage comes from supply, not demand-driven pricing.

Competitive rents, lower-income context

Marinette's $749 rent sits between cheaper Langlade ($737) and pricier Manitowoc ($777), yet its 14.2% ratio beats Lincoln (13.6%) and Manitowoc (13.6%) because household incomes here run $5-10K lower. Marinette achieves affordability through modest rents, not wage strength.

Homeownership more affordable than renting

Renters spend $749 monthly (14.2%), while homeowners pay just $776 monthly—a remarkably similar 12.2% of income—for median homes valued at $154,600. Marinette's unusually tight rent-to-own gap makes homeownership an attractive alternative for renters.

Marinette rewards first-time homebuyers

If you're considering relocation, Marinette offers one of Wisconsin's easiest paths to ownership: $154K median home values, $776 monthly payments, and only 12.2% of income dedicated to housing. Renters struggling elsewhere should seriously evaluate Marinette's homeownership potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marinette County

via IncomeByCounty

Marinette significantly below U.S. median

Marinette County's median household income of $63,401 lags the national median of $74,755 by 15.1%, placing it solidly in the lower tier nationally. The county's per-capita income of $36,123 is also below state average, indicating limited high-wage employment opportunities.

Lower-earning county by state standards

At $63,401, Marinette ranks below Wisconsin's state median of $71,715 by $8,314, placing it in the lower third of Wisconsin counties. The county's economy relies heavily on declining paper and timber industries, constraining income growth and workforce opportunities.

Struggling relative to surrounding areas

Marinette's $63,401 median ranks among the lowest in the region, trailing Marathon ($76,185) by $12,784 and Lincoln ($67,726) by $4,325. The significant income gap reflects limited industrial diversification and fewer major employers compared to neighboring counties.

Housing costs strain some households

Marinette's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio sits below the 15% threshold but suggests some household budget pressure, especially for lower earners. The median home value of $154,600 is the second-lowest in the region, though it still represents a substantial obligation at the median income level.

Strategic planning for limited incomes

With median income of $63,401, Marinette households should prioritize building emergency funds and leveraging any available employer benefits. Explore low-cost investment options through workplace retirement plans and consider side income opportunities to accelerate wealth building in a lower-income county.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marinette County

via HealthByCounty

Marinette's health outcomes lag US norms

At 76.0 years, Marinette County's life expectancy falls 2.9 years short of the US national average of 78.9 years. The county's elevated 18.4% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 18%, signaling above-average rates of chronic conditions and health challenges.

Below-average health for Wisconsin

Marinette County's 76.0-year life expectancy ranks below Wisconsin's state average of 77.8 years, placing the county in the lower tier statewide. With 18.4% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county significantly trails state health metrics.

Facing shared regional challenges

Marinette's 76.0-year life expectancy is higher than neighboring Marquette County (74.9 years) but lower than Marathon County (78.4 years) and Lincoln County (75.9 years). The county offers 57 primary care providers and 162 mental health providers per 100K, roughly middling support compared to regional peers.

Adequately insured despite health struggles

Marinette County's 6.6% uninsured rate sits below Wisconsin's state average of 7.0%, meaning most residents have some form of health insurance coverage. However, with 57 primary care providers per 100K, some patients may experience delays in scheduling appointments for preventive care.

Invest in preventive health coverage

Marinette residents should prioritize comprehensive coverage that includes preventive services and chronic disease management to address the county's elevated health challenges. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local social services office to explore plan options that cover regular screenings and specialist care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marinette County

via RiskByCounty

Marinette County faces above-average risk

Marinette County's composite risk score of 80.03 exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 59.08 while maintaining a "Relatively Low" national rating. The elevation reflects significant flood vulnerability and elevated wildfire exposure compared to most Wisconsin counties.

Among Wisconsin's higher-risk counties

At 80.03, Marinette County ranks well above the state average of 59.08, placing it in the upper tier of Wisconsin's hazard-exposed counties. Only Marathon and a few others face comparably elevated composite risk statewide.

Elevated risk in northeastern Wisconsin

Marinette County's 80.03 score outranks most neighboring counties in the northeast, though Marathon County (87.15) edges higher. Its dual exposure to flooding and wildfire is particularly acute compared to inland peers like Langlade County (49.55).

Flooding and wildfires lead threats

Flood risk of 72.71 dominates Marinette County's hazard profile, reflecting vulnerability to both riverine and regional precipitation events. Wildfire risk of 46.72 ranks second—the highest wildfire exposure in this county group—while tornado risk of 49.05 presents a third significant concern.

Prioritize flood and wildfire coverage

Marinette County residents should secure flood insurance and verify homeowners policies include wildfire/brush coverage appropriate to their property's wildland proximity. The county's exceptional flood exposure makes flood insurance particularly critical for protection.

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.