CountyScore

Pierce County

Wisconsin · WI

#38 in Wisconsin
65.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Pierce County, Wisconsin

Pierce ranks above the national standard

Pierce County scores 65.9, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in approximately the 79th percentile nationally, outperforming nearly four out of five U.S. counties.

Slightly above Wisconsin average

Pierce scores 65.9 compared to Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, placing it just above the state median. The county performs at or slightly better than typical Wisconsin standards.

Strong incomes and solid health outcomes

Pierce County offers a median household income of $88,802 with an income score of 41.3, supporting upper-middle-class stability. Health outcomes score 80.1, and effective tax rate of 1.475% keeps tax burden reasonable for high earners.

Housing costs rise with economic strength

Median home values of $308,600 and median rent of $1,025 reflect Pierce's economic vitality but create affordability challenges. Cost score of 67.3 trails more rural counties, limiting options for budget-conscious homebuyers.

Great for successful families seeking balance

Pierce County appeals to upper-middle-class families and professionals seeking strong incomes, good health care, and suburban or semi-rural Wisconsin living. It works well for those who can afford higher housing costs while prioritizing financial stability and health outcomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.8Cost67.3SafetyComing SoonHealth80.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome41.3Risk57.7WaterComing Soon
🏛60.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼41.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡57.7
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 Pierce County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Siskiyou County
California
65.9
Median income: $55,499
Clark County
Indiana
65.9
Median income: $72,298
Ness County
Kansas
65.9
Median income: $66,107
Boone County
Kentucky
65.9
Median income: $94,752
Clay County
Minnesota
65.9
Median income: $77,664

Deep Dives

Pierce County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pierce County

via TaxByCounty

Pierce taxes above national levels

Pierce County's effective tax rate of 1.475% exceeds the national median of 1.036%, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $4,552 significantly outpaces the national median of $2,690.

Above average for Wisconsin counties

Pierce County ranks above the state average with an effective tax rate of 1.475% versus Wisconsin's 1.436%. Its median tax of $4,552 considerably exceeds the state median of $3,081, reflecting higher property values.

Highest rate among all profiled counties

Pierce County's 1.475% rate edges Pepin County (1.466%) as the second-highest profiled rate after Milwaukee's 2.035%. A Pierce homeowner with a $308,600 property pays roughly $600 more annually than a similar property in nearby Pepin County.

What Pierce homeowners actually pay

The median Pierce home valued at $308,600 carries an annual property tax of $4,552—the second-highest across all profiled counties. Homeowners with mortgages pay $4,669, while those without mortgages pay $4,287.

Appeal overvaluations to reduce taxes

Many Pierce County homeowners are overassessed relative to market value and can file appeals to lower their tax bills. Contesting your assessment with recent comparable sales data could save hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pierce County

via CostByCounty

Pierce County balances premium costs with strong income

Pierce County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.8% ranks among Wisconsin's best despite the highest median household income in this cohort at $88,802, well above the national median of $74,755. This favorable ratio reflects Pierce's affluent profile where income growth outpaces housing-cost inflation.

Strong affordability in Wisconsin's affluent corridor

Pierce County ranks among Wisconsin's most affordable counties with a 13.8% rent-to-income ratio, achieved through the combination of median rent of $1,025 and exceptional household incomes. This affordability level serves the county's growing professional and affluent demographic.

Premium pricing aligned with premium incomes

Pierce County's $1,025 median rent and $308,600 median home value position it among the region's higher-cost markets, second only to Ozaukee County. However, with a median household income of $88,802, Pierce residents earn substantially more than most regional peers, justifying these elevated costs.

Higher housing costs supported by strong earnings

Pierce County residents dedicate 13.8% of income to rent and roughly 20% to ownership costs, the second-highest absolute housing expenses in this cohort. The $308,600 median home value and $1,480 monthly ownership cost reflect a county where growing professional incomes support premium housing investment.

Pierce County for upwardly mobile professionals

If you're earning a professional-class income and seeking suburban quality of life, Pierce County offers premium housing with excellent affordability ratios. Your income here supports meaningful home equity building while maintaining proportional housing affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pierce County

via IncomeByCounty

Pierce exceeds national income benchmark

Pierce County's median household income of $88,802 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $14,047, representing 19% above the U.S. average. This positions Pierce in the upper tier of American counties by income.

Top earner in Wisconsin

At $88,802, Pierce County significantly outpaces Wisconsin's median household income of $71,715 by $17,087. The county's per capita income of $42,456 also exceeds the state average of $38,794, reflecting strong economic vitality.

Second-highest among regional peers

Pierce's $88,802 trails only Ozaukee County ($96,734) and leads all other nearby counties, including Outagamie ($82,857) and Oconto ($75,886). The county's strong position reflects a prosperous mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and professional services.

Housing affordability excellent

Pierce County's 13.8% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 15% benchmark, meaning renters enjoy solid housing affordability. Despite median home values of $308,600, households earning the county median can access homeownership and rental housing without financial strain.

Invest strategically for generational wealth

Pierce residents earning $88,802 have powerful capacity to build substantial assets through tax-optimized retirement contributions and diversified investments. Consult a financial advisor about accelerating wealth accumulation through real estate leverage, equity diversification, and long-term growth strategies matched to your family goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pierce County

via HealthByCounty

Pierce's life expectancy slightly exceeds U.S. average

At 79.8 years, Pierce County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 79.5 years by 0.3 years, placing the county in the upper range nationally. With 14.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health status, Pierce is below the national average of 10%, indicating reasonable disease prevention and health management. Pierce performs solidly above average on major U.S. health benchmarks.

Pierce ranks above Wisconsin average

At 79.8 years, Pierce County's life expectancy exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 77.8 years by 2.0 years, placing it in the state's upper tier. The 14.7% poor/fair health rate is better than many Wisconsin peers, suggesting effective chronic disease management. Pierce consistently ranks among Wisconsin's healthiest counties across multiple indicators.

Limited primary care but adequate mental health

Pierce County has only 38 primary care providers per 100K residents, placing it among the lowest-resourced counties in this group and forcing residents to travel for routine care. However, 81 mental health providers per 100K shows stronger behavioral health infrastructure than many rural neighbors, suggesting investment in psychological services. The provider imbalance may reflect the county's aging population and priority on mental health support.

Low uninsured rate mitigates access barriers

Pierce County's 5.0% uninsured rate is one of the lowest in Wisconsin and well below the state average of 7.0%, meaning nearly all residents have coverage. Despite only 38 primary care providers per 100K, insurance coverage enables residents to seek care outside the county when needed and strengthens negotiating power with available providers. Universal coverage partially offsets geographic care shortages.

Preserve coverage to bridge care distances

Pierce County residents should maintain health insurance coverage during annual enrollment to sustain access across county lines when local providers are unavailable. If you're uninsured or between plans, marketplace options and Medicaid offer low-cost entry points to regional healthcare networks. Continuous coverage enables you to reach primary care and mental health services even when they require travel.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pierce County

via RiskByCounty

Pierce County faces low disaster risk

Pierce County's composite risk score of 42.33 sits below the national average, placing it in the lower-risk category overall. The county's "Very Low" rating reflects Wisconsin's generally favorable natural disaster environment.

Among Wisconsin's safest counties

Pierce County's score of 42.33 ranks it well below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, placing it among the state's lowest-risk communities. Only Pepin County (7.19) significantly outperforms Pierce on safety.

Safer than most regional peers

Pierce County's score of 42.33 is substantially lower than Monroe County (78.85) and Outagamie County (79.68), reflecting its distance from Wisconsin's tornado hotspots. The county benefits from a safer geographic position in west-central Wisconsin.

Tornado risk is primary concern

Tornado risk reaches 73.41 in Pierce County, making it the dominant natural hazard despite the county's overall low composite score. Flood risk of 48.70 presents a secondary but manageable threat, while wildfire and earthquake risks remain minimal.

Standard coverage with tornado awareness

Pierce County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and develop a basic tornado safety plan given the 73.41 tornado score. Limited hurricane data is available for this county, but standard wind coverage within homeowners policies addresses the county's low coastal-weather exposure.

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.