CountyScore

Monroe County

Wisconsin · WI

#51 in Wisconsin
63.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Wisconsin

Monroe outperforms the national average

Monroe County scores 63.8, meaningfully above the national median of 50.0. This places Monroe in approximately the 75th percentile nationally, demonstrating solid livability that beats three-quarters of U.S. counties.

Slightly below Wisconsin's county median

Monroe's score of 63.8 trails Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. The county performs decently by statewide measures but has competitive peers across the state.

Excellent tax rates and affordable housing

Monroe County boasts a low effective tax rate of 1.420% and strong housing affordability with a cost score of 77.1, supported by median rent of just $920 per month. Health outcomes also rank well at 73.6, creating a balanced profile for families watching expenses.

Income levels lag peer counties

With a median household income of $68,213 and an income score of just 27.9, Monroe residents earn noticeably less than counterparts in neighboring counties. This income gap affects long-term wealth building despite the county's affordable housing stock.

Ideal for budget-conscious families seeking stability

Monroe County works well for families prioritizing low taxes, affordable rent, and good health infrastructure over high incomes. It appeals to retirees, service workers, and those seeking rural or small-town Wisconsin living without major urban amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.3Cost77.1SafetyComing SoonHealth73.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.9Risk21.2WaterComing Soon
🏛62.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.9
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
⚡21.2
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 Monroe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Mobile County
Alabama
63.8
Median income: $58,119
Tuolumne County
California
63.8
Median income: $72,259
Colquitt County
Georgia
63.8
Median income: $49,691
Ford County
Illinois
63.8
Median income: $60,782
Penobscot County
Maine
63.8
Median income: $63,248

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Monroe County

via TaxByCounty

Monroe taxes slightly above national median

Monroe County's effective tax rate of 1.420% sits modestly above the national median of 1.036%, placing it in the 55th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $2,801 slightly exceeds the national median of $2,690.

Middle-of-the-road Wisconsin tax rate

Monroe County ranks near the state average with an effective tax rate of 1.420% compared to Wisconsin's 1.436%. Its median tax of $2,801 falls slightly below the state median of $3,081.

Comparable to surrounding counties

Monroe County's 1.420% rate closely mirrors Pepin County (1.466%) and sits above Oconto County (1.250%) and Oneida County (0.943%). Homeowners here pay roughly $150 less annually than those in nearby Pepin County.

What Monroe homeowners actually pay

The median Monroe home valued at $197,200 carries an annual property tax of $2,801. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,918, while those without mortgages pay $2,657.

Check your assessment accuracy

Many Monroe County homeowners are overassessed and can appeal their evaluations to reduce tax bills. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if warranted could save you several hundred dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Monroe County

via CostByCounty

Monroe County offers moderate rent affordability

Monroe County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% falls comfortably within the sustainable housing-cost range and below both the state average of 14.9% and the broader context of affordability benchmarks. With a median household income of $68,213, slightly below the national median of $74,755, residents here manage housing costs more effectively than many peers.

Middle-ground affordability within Wisconsin

Monroe County ranks in the mid-range for rental affordability across Wisconsin, with a 16.2% rent-to-income ratio that sits between the most and least affordable counties statewide. The $920 median monthly rent is nearly $30 below the state average, offering renters modest savings.

Competitive rates in the region

Monroe County's $920 rent is comparable to nearby Oneida County ($868) and significantly cheaper than Milwaukee County's $1,069. For buyers, Monroe's $197,200 median home value is accessible compared to Pierce County ($308,600) while remaining comparable to similarly sized regional markets.

Balanced housing expenses for stability

Monroe County residents allocate roughly 16% of income to rent and 17% to ownership costs, leaving room for other budget priorities. The $920 median rent totals approximately $11,040 annually, a manageable burden for households earning around $68,000.

Monroe County scores as a solid option

If you're relocating within Wisconsin, Monroe County delivers reasonable housing costs without sacrificing regional access or amenities. The balanced rent-to-income ratio here means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket compared to higher-cost urban alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe moderately behind national median

Monroe County's median household income of $68,213 falls $6,542 short of the national median of $74,755. This represents roughly 91% of the U.S. average, placing Monroe in the lower-middle range nationally.

Below Wisconsin's state average

Monroe County ranks below Wisconsin's median household income of $71,715, though it approaches the state benchmark more closely than some peers. The county's per capita income of $34,501 notably lags the state's $38,794 average.

Mid-range among nearby counties

Monroe's $68,213 median places it between Milwaukee County ($62,118) and Oneida County ($69,621), but well behind high-earning Outagamie ($82,857) and Ozaukee ($96,734). The income spread across Wisconsin's central and eastern regions reflects distinct economic structures and employment bases.

Rent-to-income ratio shows breathing room

Monroe County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds the ideal 15% threshold, meaning renters allocate roughly one-sixth of earnings to housing. With median home values at $197,200, both rental and homeownership pathways remain accessible for median-earning households.

Strategic savings unlock long-term gains

Monroe households averaging $68,213 can accelerate wealth-building by automating savings before spending, prioritizing high-yield savings accounts and retirement contributions. Even 10% of annual income directed toward diversified investments compounds meaningfully over decades, creating financial resilience and opportunity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Monroe County

via HealthByCounty

Monroe's life expectancy slightly below U.S. average

Monroe County residents can expect to live 76.9 years on average, about 2.6 years less than the U.S. average of 79.5 years. About one in six residents report poor or fair health status (15.7%), compared to roughly one in ten nationally. While not severely lagging, these metrics suggest room for improvement in chronic disease prevention and healthcare access.

Monroe ranks near middle of Wisconsin counties

With a life expectancy of 76.9 years, Monroe County is 0.9 years below Wisconsin's state average of 77.8 years, placing it in the middle cohort. The 15.7% poor/fair health rate is slightly higher than state norms, indicating some health challenges but not among the state's worst. Monroe residents have moderate access to care compared to peers across Wisconsin.

Provider access varies across northeast Wisconsin

Monroe County has 63 primary care providers per 100K residents, notably fewer than nearby Outagamie County (90 per 100K) and Pierce County (38 per 100K). Mental health providers are available at 251 per 100K, well below the regional average seen in larger medical hubs. The disparity suggests residents may need to travel or wait longer for specialist appointments.

Uninsured residents face care barriers

Monroe County's 8.6% uninsured rate ranks above the state average of 7.0%, meaning about one in 11 residents lack health insurance. With 63 primary care providers per 100K—below many comparable counties—available appointments fill quickly, especially for uninsured patients. Fewer mental health providers (251 per 100K) can also delay treatment for depression, anxiety, and other conditions.

Coverage options expand care access in Monroe

If you're uninsured or underinsured in Monroe County, Medicaid, marketplace plans, and community health center sliding scales can make care affordable. Check Healthcare.gov or contact Monroe County's health department to learn which programs match your household income. Insurance eligibility changes seasonally—explore options during open enrollment or after life changes like job loss.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monroe County

via RiskByCounty

Monroe sits above average national risk

Monroe County's composite risk score of 78.85 exceeds the national average, though its "Relatively Low" rating reflects Wisconsin's overall risk profile. The county faces meaningful exposure to flooding and tornadoes that warrant attention from property owners.

Mid-range risk within Wisconsin

Monroe County's score of 78.85 ranks it in the upper-middle tier of Wisconsin counties, well above the state average of 59.08. This positioning reflects the county's placement in a region with elevated severe weather activity.

Elevated risk compared to neighbors

Monroe County's score of 78.85 outpaces nearby Oneida County (62.53) but trails Outagamie County (79.68). The variation across this region shows how local geography and weather patterns create distinct risk profiles even among adjacent communities.

Flooding and tornadoes dominate threats

Flood risk scores 78.44 and tornado risk reaches 76.34 in Monroe County, making these the primary natural disaster concerns for residents. Earthquake risk of 17.59 presents a secondary but non-zero concern, unusual for Wisconsin.

Flood and wind coverage recommended

Monroe County residents should obtain standalone flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage—critical given the county's 78.44 flood score. Wind and hail coverage should also be verified, given tornado risk of 76.34.

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.