CountyScore

Pepin County

Wisconsin · WI

#5 in Wisconsin
70.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Pepin County, Wisconsin

Pepin ranks among top national performers

Pepin County scores 70.9, well above the national median of 50.0. This exceptional score places Pepin in approximately the 86th percentile nationally, exceeding the livability of the vast majority of U.S. counties.

Wisconsin's outstanding county performer

Pepin scores 70.9 versus Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, ranking as one of the state's top-performing counties. The score demonstrates strong performance across Wisconsin's livability benchmarks.

Outstanding affordability and good health

Pepin County delivers exceptional housing affordability with a cost score of 77.8, median rent of just $860, and median home value of $196,100. Health outcomes score 77.1, supporting community wellness in a peaceful rural setting.

Risk concerns and limited income growth

Pepin's risk score of 92.8 is notably higher, suggesting environmental or natural hazard concerns that merit investigation for families considering relocation. Income score of 32.0 also limits wealth-building opportunities despite low housing costs.

Best for risk-tolerant budget families

Pepin County suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing rural tranquility and exceptional affordability over income growth. It works well for those willing to accept environmental risks in exchange for low costs and strong health infrastructure in a tight-knit community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61Cost77.8SafetyComing SoonHealth77.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome32Risk92.8WaterComing Soon
🏛61
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡92.8
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 Pepin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Elmore County
Alabama
70.9
Median income: $75,553
Randolph County
Arkansas
70.9
Median income: $52,838
Wilcox County
Georgia
70.9
Median income: $48,036
Putnam County
Illinois
70.9
Median income: $77,526
Greene County
Iowa
70.9
Median income: $59,159

Deep Dives

Pepin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pepin County

via TaxByCounty

Pepin taxes above national median

Pepin County's effective tax rate of 1.466% exceeds the national median of 1.036%, placing it in the 60th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $2,875 tops the national median of $2,690 by roughly $185 annually.

Slightly above Wisconsin state average

Pepin County ranks slightly above the state average with an effective tax rate of 1.466% versus Wisconsin's 1.436%. Its median tax of $2,875 falls below the state median of $3,081, reflecting lower median home values.

Mid-range taxes in West-Central Wisconsin

Pepin County's 1.466% rate nearly matches Pierce County (1.475%) and sits above Oconto County (1.250%) and Oneida County (0.943%). A Pepin homeowner with a $196,100 property pays roughly $450 more annually than a similar Oneida County property.

What Pepin homeowners actually pay

The median Pepin home valued at $196,100 carries an annual property tax of $2,875. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,899, while those without mortgages pay $2,846.

Challenge inflated assessments

Many Pepin County homeowners are overassessed and have grounds to appeal their evaluations. Filing an assessment appeal supported by comparable sales data could recover hundreds of dollars annually on your property tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pepin County

via CostByCounty

Pepin County delivers exceptional rental value

Pepin County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.8% ranks among Wisconsin's best and significantly outperforms the state average of 14.9%. With a median household income of $74,536 matching the national median, residents here achieve superior affordability without requiring above-average earnings.

Top-tier affordability in rural Wisconsin

Pepin County ranks among the most affordable counties in Wisconsin for renters, with a 13.8% rent-to-income ratio and a median rent of just $860. This affordability level is anchored by Pepin's rural character and stable, working-class economy.

Standout savings in a competitive market

Pepin County's $860 median rent is $209 cheaper than Milwaukee County and competitive with Oconto County ($796) while undercutting Oneida County ($868) by just $8. For homebuyers, Pepin's $196,100 median home value matches Monroe County, making it an accessible entry point.

Minimal housing burden preserves financial flexibility

Pepin County renters spend $860 monthly—roughly $10,320 annually—on housing, leaving substantial income for savings and other priorities. Homeowners face similar affordability at $991 monthly, making Pepin accessible across both tenure types.

Pepin County for practical, affordable living

If you value small-town character and uncompromised affordability, Pepin County delivers both without requiring sacrifice on household income. Your rent or mortgage here will be among Wisconsin's lowest, leaving more resources for your family's goals.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pepin County

via IncomeByCounty

Pepin nearly matches national median

Pepin County's median household income of $74,536 comes within $219 of the national median of $74,755, effectively matching the U.S. average. This rare alignment places Pepin precisely at the national benchmark.

Slightly above Wisconsin median

At $74,536, Pepin County modestly exceeds Wisconsin's median household income of $71,715 by $2,821. The county's per capita income of $40,261 also edges above the state average of $38,794, signaling solid economic fundamentals.

Mid-range among peer counties

Pepin's $74,536 ranks below Pierce ($88,802) and Outagamie ($82,857) but matches Oconto ($75,886) and exceeds Oneida ($69,621) and Monroe ($68,213). The county demonstrates balanced economic health within Wisconsin's broader landscape.

Rental costs in healthy range

Pepin's 13.8% rent-to-income ratio falls below the 15% benchmark, meaning renters allocate a modest share of earnings to housing. With median home values at $196,100, both rental and homeownership options remain comfortably affordable for median-earning households.

Start building financial momentum today

Pepin residents earning $74,536 can establish lasting wealth by committing to regular investment contributions and retirement account growth. Even small, consistent investments harness compound returns over decades, enabling households to build meaningful financial security and long-term prosperity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pepin County

via HealthByCounty

Pepin leads nation in life expectancy

At 81.8 years, Pepin County's life expectancy ranks among the highest in the United States, exceeding the national average of 79.5 years by 2.3 years. However, 16.0% of residents report poor or fair health status, above national averages, suggesting that despite living longer, many manage chronic conditions. Pepin offers an interesting paradox: impressive longevity alongside elevated prevalence of health challenges.

Pepin ranks highest on Wisconsin life expectancy

With 81.8 years life expectancy, Pepin County exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 77.8 years by 4.0 years, placing it at the very top of statewide rankings. The 16.0% poor/fair health rate is higher than state norms, indicating that residents live longer but with higher disease burden. Pepin's combination of exceptional longevity and chronic disease prevalence warrants attention to quality-of-life measures.

Rural isolation compounds mental health gaps

Pepin County has 68 primary care providers per 100K residents, moderate for a rural county, but only 27 mental health providers per 100K—the lowest in this entire group. This severe shortage of mental health services in an aging, rural population may contribute to the high rate of fair/poor health reports despite long lifespans. Geographic isolation and provider scarcity limit access to behavioral health support.

High uninsured rate complicates rural access

Pepin County's 8.8% uninsured rate is the highest in this county group and well above Wisconsin's 7.0% average, affecting roughly one in 11 residents. With limited mental health infrastructure (27 providers per 100K) and geographic barriers, lack of insurance creates severe obstacles to behavioral and chronic disease care. Rural isolation and insurance gaps leave vulnerable populations underserved.

Get covered to access Pepin County care

If you're among Pepin County's uninsured residents, Medicaid and marketplace plans are designed to help rural, lower-income populations access affordable coverage. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit Healthcare.gov to explore options, especially if you've experienced a job loss or income change. Getting insured connects you to available primary care and opens doors to mental health services, even if they require travel.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pepin County

via RiskByCounty

Pepin County has minimal disaster risk

Pepin County's composite risk score of 7.19 is extraordinarily low—far below the national average—placing it among America's safest counties from natural disaster threats. This "Very Low" rating reflects exceptional stability across all major hazard categories.

Wisconsin's safest county

Pepin County ranks as the lowest-risk county in Wisconsin with a score of 7.19, dramatically below the state average of 59.08. No other Wisconsin county comes close to this level of safety across natural disaster types.

Exceptionally safe compared to peers

Pepin County's score of 7.19 is far lower than Pierce County (42.33) and any other neighboring communities, making it an outlier in its region. The county's remote location and small population contribute to minimal exposure to cascading disaster effects.

Tornado risk is the only meaningful threat

Tornado risk scores 30.95 in Pepin County, the only hazard type reaching even moderate levels; all other risks score below 20. Flood risk of 16.22 is the second-highest but still minimal compared to most Wisconsin counties.

Standard insurance provides ample protection

Pepin County residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance given the county's minimal disaster risk profile. A simple tornado safety plan and weather alert subscription provide all the additional preparedness most households in this exceptionally safe county require.

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.