countyscore
56.7
County Score
Health 76.8Income & Jobs 73.4Schools 68.5

County Report Card

About Oconto County, Wisconsin

Surpassing the national livability median

Oconto County achieves a composite score of 56.1, comfortably outperforming the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a higher-than-average quality of life compared to most U.S. counties.

Outperforming the Wisconsin state average

The county's 56.1 score sits above the Wisconsin state average of 50.3. This performance makes Oconto one of the more desirable regions within the state's diverse landscape.

High income and robust health scores

Strengths include a high income score of 78.4 and a health score of 76.8. Residents benefit from a median household income of $75,886 and relatively affordable $796 monthly rent.

Water quality and environmental risks

The county struggles with a water score of 31.7 and a risk score of 38.6. These factors represent the primary barriers to an even higher overall composite ranking.

Best for economically stable families

Oconto County is a great match for families seeking strong income potential and high safety scores. It attracts those who value financial stability and can manage regional environmental factors.

2040608010024.352.665.476.868.573.438.631.749.9Tax24.3Cost52.6Safety65.4Health76.8Schools68.5Income73.4Risk38.6Water31.7Weather49.956.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Oconto County DNA

Foverall

How Oconto County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Oconto County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (76.8/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (24.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
24.3-27.7
Cost
52.6
Safety
65.4+10.400000000000006
Health
76.8+26.799999999999997
Schools
68.5+14.5
Income
73.4+22.400000000000006
Risk
38.6-8.399999999999999
Water
31.7-26.3
Weather
49.9
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Oconto County?

Many homeowners in Oconto County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$231,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$791/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$231,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $75,049/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

12.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Oconto County with Taylor County →Share on X

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Schuyler County
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Crane County
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Nearby counties

Shawano County
Wisconsin
52.6
Menominee County
Wisconsin
56.3
Marinette County
Wisconsin
49.6
Brown County
Wisconsin
44.2
Kewaunee County
Wisconsin
59.1
Outagamie County
Wisconsin
48.2
Menominee County
Michigan
55.6
Langlade County
Wisconsin
55.5

Deep Dives

Oconto County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Oconto County

via TaxByCounty

Oconto taxes well below national median

Oconto County's effective tax rate of 1.250% sits below the national median of 1.036%, placing it in the 40th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $2,651 falls $39 below the national median of $2,690.

Below average for Wisconsin counties

Oconto County ranks below the state average with an effective tax rate of 1.250% versus Wisconsin's 1.436%. Its median tax of $2,651 is notably lower than the state median of $3,081.

Among the lowest in Northeast Wisconsin

Oconto County's 1.250% rate edges out Ozaukee County (1.255%) and sits well below Monroe County (1.420%) and Outagamie County (1.467%). An Oconto homeowner with a $212,000 property pays roughly $700 less annually than a similar Milwaukee property.

What Oconto homeowners actually pay

The median Oconto home valued at $212,000 carries an annual property tax of $2,651. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,743, while those without mortgages pay $2,499.

Review your assessment for savings

Many Oconto County homeowners are overassessed relative to comparable sales and can appeal their evaluations. Filing an assessment appeal could recover hundreds of dollars annually if your property is valued above market.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Oconto County

via IncomeByCounty

Oconto meets national income benchmark

Oconto County's median household income of $75,886 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $1,131. This positions Oconto slightly above the U.S. average, ranking the county in the middle-to-upper tier nationally.

Above Wisconsin's state median

At $75,886, Oconto County surpasses Wisconsin's median household income of $71,715 by roughly $4,171. The county's per capita income of $39,196 also edges above the state average of $38,794, signaling solid earning power across the county.

Strong performance among peer counties

Oconto's $75,886 income exceeds Monroe ($68,213) and Oneida ($69,621) but trails Pierce ($88,802) and Outagamie ($82,857). The county demonstrates solid mid-range economic health compared to Wisconsin's broader county landscape.

Housing costs align with earnings

Oconto's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio falls below the 15% healthy benchmark, meaning renters spend a modest fraction of earnings on housing. With median home values at $212,000, homeownership and rental options both remain comfortably affordable for households earning the county median.

Leverage stability to build assets

Oconto residents earning $75,886 possess strong footing to grow wealth through disciplined investing and long-term planning. Allocating a portion of income to tax-advantaged retirement accounts and diversified investments positions households to build meaningful assets and financial security over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Oconto County

via CrimeByCounty

Oconto County Boasts Exceptional Safety Scores

With a total crime rate of only 809.2 per 100,000, Oconto County is far safer than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county an impressive safety score of 98.7.

Outperforming the Wisconsin Safety Average

Oconto's safety score of 98.7 exceeds the state average of 98.3. Furthermore, its total crime rate is roughly 26% lower than the Wisconsin average of 1,103.1 per 100,000 residents.

Comparing Oconto to Nearby Outagamie

Oconto's crime rate of 809.2 is lower than neighboring Outagamie County, which reports 1,013.0. This low rate is maintained through the efforts of six dedicated local reporting agencies.

Violent Crime Remains Extremely Rare

The violent crime rate in Oconto is just 97.3 per 100,000, which is nearly four times lower than the national average. Property crime also remains low at 711.9, compared to the national rate of 2,015.7.

Maintaining a Secure Oconto Home

While crime is low, maintaining security awareness helps preserve the county's safe environment. Residents can utilize smart doorbells and community watch programs to keep property crime rates minimal.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Oconto County

via WeatherByCounty

Deeply Cool Northern Weather

Oconto County's annual average of 42.9°F sits well below the national median of roughly 54°F. This location defines the crisp, cool nature of the upper Great Lakes region.

Cooler Than the State Average

The county is colder than the Wisconsin average of 44.4°F by about 1.5 degrees. It ranks among the chillier northern counties where winter lasts longer than in the southern parts of the state.

Chillier Than Coastal Neighbors

With an average temp of 42.9°F, Oconto is significantly cooler than lakeside Ozaukee at 46.7°F. It also receives less precipitation than the state average, recording 32.4 inches annually.

Consistent Cold and Moderate Snow

Winters feature a freezing December-February average of 18.2°F and 54.9 inches of snow. Summers are pleasant and mild, averaging 66.1°F with only 4 days reaching 90°F.

Gear Up for Long Winters

The mild summers mean less air conditioning is required, but robust home insulation is essential for the 15.1°F January lows. Residents should plan for steady snow management from late autumn through spring.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Oconto County

via SoilByCounty

Oconto's Acidic Sandy Profile

Oconto's soil shows an average pH of 5.36, which is notably more acidic than both the state average and the 6.5 national median. This acidity level is common in regions with significant coniferous forest cover or glacial history.

Dominated by Sand

The county is characterized by a high sand content of 54.2%, paired with 24.7% silt and 7.4% clay. This light texture provides excellent aeration for roots but means the soil will dry out faster than heavier types.

Exceptional Organic Matter

Oconto features a massive 17.32% organic matter content, dwarfing the state average of 11.02%. However, its available water capacity of 0.193 in/in is lower than the state mean, reflecting the drainage speed of the sand.

Rapid Drainage Realities

Though specific drainage classifications vary locally, the 54.2% sand content typically leads to quick water movement. This makes the soil easy to work shortly after rain, but nutrient leaching is a frequent concern.

Zone 5a Gardening Options

With a soil score of 65.7 and a Zone 5a climate, Oconto is well-suited for acid-loving perennials and cold-hardy crops. Gardeners can capitalize on the high organic matter to grow vigorous berry patches or root vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Oconto County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Oconto's Below-Average Lawn Score

With a difficulty score of 54.9, Oconto County presents more challenges for homeowners than the state average of 64.4. Homeowners in this zone 5a region must work harder to maintain green spaces due to thinner soils and lower temperatures.

Less Heat and Shorter Seasons

Oconto sees only 4 extreme heat days a year and just 2,033 growing degree days, which is lower than many neighboring counties. This limited thermal energy means grass grows more slowly, requiring less frequent mowing compared to the southern part of the state.

Correcting High Acidity and Sandy Texture

The soil pH is quite low at 5.36, falling well below the ideal lawn range of 6.0 to 7.0. Because the soil is 54.2% sand, water and nutrients drain away quickly, making lime treatments and organic compost additions essential for success.

Battling Prolonged Dry Conditions

Oconto has struggled with 21 weeks of drought over the past year, and 100% of the county is currently classified as abnormally dry. In these conditions, focusing on drought-resistant species is more effective than trying to out-water the climate.

Choose Resilient Turf for Oconto

Tall fescue is a smart choice here because its deep roots handle the 54% sand content better than other grasses. Start your lawn after the May 14 frost to avoid the late-season freezes common in northern Wisconsin.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oconto County's county score?
Oconto County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 56.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Oconto County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Oconto County ranks #12 among all counties in Wisconsin on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Oconto County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Oconto County is $2,727, with an effective tax rate of 1.18%. This earns Oconto County a tax score of 24.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Oconto County?
The median household income in Oconto County, Wisconsin is $75,049 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Oconto County earns an income score of 73.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Oconto County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Oconto County scores 56.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #12 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Oconto County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Oconto County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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