CountyScore

Oconto County

Wisconsin · WI

#19 in Wisconsin
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Oconto County, Wisconsin

Oconto ranks above the national norm

Oconto County scores 68.1, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0. This performance places Oconto in approximately the 82nd percentile nationally, ranking ahead of four out of five U.S. counties.

Wisconsin's above-average performer

Oconto scores 68.1 compared to Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, making it one of the better-performing counties statewide. The county consistently outperforms state benchmarks across multiple dimensions.

Low taxes and exceptional affordability

Oconto County leads with an effective tax rate of just 1.250% and housing affordability (79.4), offering the state's cheapest rents at $796 per month. Health scores reach 75.8, and median household income of $75,886 provides solid middle-class stability.

Income growth remains the limitation

Though above some peers, Oconto's income score of 32.9 and median household income of $75,886 suggest limited wage growth opportunities compared to wealthier Wisconsin counties. This constrains economic advancement for ambitious households.

Perfect for value-seekers valuing tax efficiency

Oconto County is ideal for families and retirees seeking small-town Wisconsin life with exceptional affordability and minimal tax burden. It suits those prioritizing financial security and health outcomes over professional advancement or high earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.1Cost79.4SafetyComing SoonHealth75.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.9Risk38.6WaterComing Soon
🏛67.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.6
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 Oconto County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $55,826
Dallas County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Summit County
Colorado
68.1
Median income: $106,255

Deep Dives

Oconto County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Oconto County

via CostByCounty

Oconto County ranks among Wisconsin's most affordable

Oconto County boasts a rent-to-income ratio of just 12.6%, the lowest among these eight counties and well below the state average of 14.9%. With a median household income of $75,886 that matches the national median, residents here enjoy superior housing affordability relative to their earnings.

Best rental affordability in Wisconsin

Oconto County's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks as the most affordable in the state among these surveyed counties. At $796 per month, Oconto's median rent undercuts the Wisconsin average by nearly $95, the biggest savings in the cohort.

Clear savings versus nearby counties

Oconto County's $796 median rent is significantly cheaper than all regional peers—$273 less than Milwaukee County, $124 less than Monroe County, and $72 less than Oneida County. Even compared to Pepin County, traditionally one of Wisconsin's most affordable, Oconto saves renters roughly $64 monthly.

Minimal rent burden leaves room to save

At $796 monthly, Oconto County renters spend just $9,552 annually on housing, freeing up substantially more income than higher-cost counties. Homeowners face similar affordability at $966 monthly, making both paths accessible for working families.

Oconto delivers best-in-class affordability

For families prioritizing housing affordability without compromising income levels, Oconto County is Wisconsin's standout choice. You'll pay $100+ less in monthly rent than many comparable counties, translating to genuine financial breathing room.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Oconto County

via HealthByCounty

Oconto exceeds U.S. life expectancy benchmarks

At 78.5 years, Oconto County's life expectancy nearly matches the U.S. average of 79.5 years, placing the county solidly in the healthy range. However, 17.1% of residents report poor or fair health status, which exceeds the national average of 10%, suggesting chronic disease burden despite decent life expectancy. This gap indicates that people live longer but with more health challenges than ideal.

Oconto slightly above Wisconsin average

With 78.5 years life expectancy, Oconto County exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 77.8 years by 0.7 years, ranking in the upper-middle tier statewide. The 17.1% poor/fair health rate is higher than state norms, suggesting preventive care gaps despite the decent life expectancy. Oconto residents enjoy longer average lives but may face higher rates of chronic disease.

Rural provider shortage limits local access

Oconto County's 31 primary care providers per 100K residents are among the state's lowest, forcing patients to travel for basic medical care. Mental health providers are scarce at just 53 per 100K, far below the state average and comparable to only the most rural counties. This provider desert likely drives delayed diagnoses and reliance on emergency care for preventable conditions.

Low uninsured rate masks access challenges

Oconto County boasts a 6.2% uninsured rate, the lowest among these eight counties and below Wisconsin's 7.0% average—yet coverage doesn't guarantee access to care. With only 31 primary care doctors per 100K population, insured residents still face long waits and travel burden to reach physicians. Rural broadband gaps also limit telemedicine options that might bridge geographic distance.

Maintaining coverage bridges care gaps in Oconto

Oconto residents benefit from strong insurance rates, but enrollment support and retention programs ensure no one loses coverage unexpectedly. If you're uninsured or lose coverage, local tribal health programs, community clinics, and Medicaid can connect you to in-person and telehealth services. Stable coverage is especially critical in rural areas where in-person visits require significant travel.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Oconto County

via RiskByCounty

Oconto County has below-average risk

Oconto County's composite risk score of 61.45 sits just above the national average, placing it in the lower-risk category despite modest exposure to flooding and tornadoes. Residents face manageable but real natural disaster risks requiring standard precautions.

Slightly above Wisconsin average

Oconto County scores 61.45, modestly above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, ranking it in the middle-to-lower range statewide. This positioning suggests relatively stable conditions compared to high-risk counties like Milwaukee.

Comparable to surrounding counties

Oconto County's score of 61.45 falls between Oneida County (62.53) and Outagamie County (79.68), reflecting its position in northeastern Wisconsin's diverse risk landscape. Its wildfire risk of 38.80 is notably higher than most neighbors, a regional quirk worth monitoring.

Floods and tornados with wildfire concern

Flood risk scores 68.80 and tornado risk reaches 60.31 in Oconto County, with wildfire risk at 38.80—the highest among the county's hazard types. The combination of water-based and fire-based threats reflects the county's geography along Lake Michigan and forested interior.

Standard coverage with flood consideration

Oconto County residents near rivers or wetlands should evaluate flood insurance options, as the 68.80 flood risk score warrants attention. Standard homeowners and auto insurance should cover tornado and wildfire damage, but review your policy to confirm adequate coverage limits.

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.