countyscore
56.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 92.8Safety 88.1Health 75.6

County Report Card

About Pepin County, Wisconsin

High scores in national livability

Pepin County achieves a composite score of 56.5, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This reflects a high standard of living driven by exceptional safety and stability.

Stronger than the Wisconsin average

At 56.5, Pepin County exceeds the Wisconsin state average of 50.3. It offers a unique profile of security and affordability compared to more urban Wisconsin peers.

Maximum safety and low environmental risk

The county dominates with a risk score of 92.8 and a safety score of 88.1. These scores indicate one of the most stable and secure environments for residential life in the state.

Water quality and tax concerns

The county's water score is quite low at 12.4, representing a significant area for improvement. Its tax score of 14.6 also suggests a high fiscal burden on residents relative to the local economy.

Perfect for safety-seeking retirees

Pepin County is ideal for those who prioritize personal safety and low environmental risk above all else. It offers a quiet, secure life for residents who value community stability.

2040608010016.341.988.175.652.573.792.812.449.4Tax16.3Cost41.9Safety88.1Health75.6Schools52.5Income73.7Risk92.8Water12.4Weather49.456.9/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Pepin County DNA

Foverall

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

Pepin County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (92.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (12.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
16.3-35.7
Cost
41.9
Safety
88.1+33.099999999999994
Health
75.6+25.599999999999994
Schools
52.5
Income
73.7+22.700000000000003
Risk
92.8+45.8
Water
12.4-45.6
Weather
49.4
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Pepin County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$214,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$869/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$214,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $75,256/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

54.3

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
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Counties with similar scores

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Chase County
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Culberson County
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Nearby counties

Wabasha County
Minnesota
64.1
Pierce County
Wisconsin
54
Buffalo County
Wisconsin
60.1
Goodhue County
Minnesota
47.4
Dunn County
Wisconsin
49.2
Winona County
Minnesota
47.5
Eau Claire County
Wisconsin
50.6
Olmsted County
Minnesota
43.5

Deep Dives

Pepin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Pepin County

via CrimeByCounty

Pepin County Shows Minimal Crime Levels

Pepin County features an elite safety score of 99.6, driven by a total crime rate of only 258.1 per 100,000 residents. This is nearly ten times lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

A Leader in Wisconsin Public Safety

With a safety score of 99.6, Pepin County significantly outperforms the Wisconsin average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 258.1 is among the lowest in the state compared to the average of 1,103.1.

Exceptional Performance vs Regional Averages

Pepin's crime rate is less than half that of nearby Pierce County, which reports 613.9 per 100,000. Three reporting agencies manage this small, highly secure community efficiently.

Violent Crime is Nearly Non-Existent

The violent crime rate in Pepin County is a negligible 13.6 per 100,000 residents. Property crime is similarly low at 244.5, whereas the national average sits much higher at 2,015.7.

Preserving the Peace in Pepin County

Even in such a safe environment, basic precautions help maintain the county's low statistics. Simple measures like using timed lighting and securing outbuildings prevent opportunistic incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Pepin County

via WeatherByCounty

Cool Breezes Along the Mississippi

Pepin County averages 45.1°F, nearly 9 degrees below the national median. Its position in the Driftless Area creates a unique microclimate of valleys and ridges.

Typical Wisconsin Conditions

The 45.1°F average is nearly identical to the state average of 44.4°F. It represents the standard climate experience for Western Wisconsin residents.

Warmer Than Pierce County

Pepin is over 2 degrees warmer on average than neighboring Pierce County (42.8°F). It also sees higher precipitation at 35.2 inches, compared to the state average of 34.5 inches.

High Heat and Cold Januaries

July averages 71.5°F, the warmest in this group, with 8 days of extreme heat. While official county-wide snowfall data is limited, January temperatures dip to an average of 14.6°F.

Focus on Summer Cooling

With 8 days of 90°F heat, air conditioning is a higher priority here than in northern counties. Plan for varied precipitation by ensuring proper landscape drainage for 35 inches of annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Pepin County

via SoilByCounty

Pepin's Favorable Soil pH

Pepin County boasts a pH of 5.84, making it less acidic than the typical Wisconsin soil. While it doesn't reach the national median of 6.5, it provides a friendly environment for a wide range of agricultural activities.

Gritty and Workable Silt

The soil contains a significant 45.5% sand and 37.1% silt, giving it a light, easy-to-work feel. With only 11.2% clay, the soil is less prone to the heavy clodding that plagues clay-heavy regions.

Modest Water Capacity

The available water capacity of 0.180 in/in is below the state average of 0.204 in/in, meaning soil dries out sooner. However, organic matter remains solid at 5.64%, which is more than double the national average.

Monitoring Moisture Flow

With nearly half the soil composed of sand, drainage is likely efficient throughout the county. Gardeners should watch for fast-moving water that might take soluble nutrients with it during heavy rain events.

Northern Garden Potential

Located in Hardiness Zone 4b, Pepin's soil score of 63.5 supports cold-hardy varieties of corn and small grains. It is a great environment for a home garden focused on hardy root crops and cool-season vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Pepin County

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Lawn Conditions in Pepin County

Pepin County offers an encouraging environment with a lawn difficulty score of 74.1, outperforming the state average. Although it is in the colder hardiness zone 4b, the local conditions remain very manageable for most homeowners.

Balanced Heat and Precipitation

The county receives 35.2 inches of annual rain and experiences 2,590 growing degree days, ensuring plenty of energy for turf development. Eight days of extreme heat per year mean you should monitor for wilting during the peak of July.

Managing Sandy Soil Composition

With a sand content of 45.5% and a pH of 5.84, the soil is slightly acidic and drains relatively fast. To improve lawn health, consider adding organic matter to help the soil hold onto the 35 inches of annual rain more effectively.

Minimal Recent Drought Stress

The county faced only four weeks of drought over the past year and currently reports no abnormally dry territory. This low stress level makes it easier to keep your lawn green without excessive supplemental irrigation.

Planting for Success in Zone 4b

Hardy cool-season grasses like Creeping Red Fescue are ideal for Pepin's zone 4b climate. Plan to seed after the May 1 frost to take advantage of the wet spring weather and avoid late-season cold snaps.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pepin County's county score?
Pepin County, Wisconsin has a composite county score of 56.9 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 Pepin County rank among counties in Wisconsin?
Pepin County ranks #11 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 Pepin County, Wisconsin?
The median annual property tax in Pepin County is $2,922, with an effective tax rate of 1.36%. This earns Pepin County a tax score of 16.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pepin County?
The median household income in Pepin County, Wisconsin is $75,256 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pepin County earns an income score of 73.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pepin County, Wisconsin a good place to live?
Pepin County scores 56.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #11 in Wisconsin. The best way to evaluate Pepin 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 Pepin 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.