CountyScore

Racine County

Wisconsin · WI

#68 in Wisconsin
59
County Score

County Report Card

About Racine County, Wisconsin

Racine exceeds national average but underperforms regionally

Racine County scores 59.0, which is 9 points above the national median of 50.0, indicating above-average U.S. livability. However, this masks challenges that place it below its Wisconsin neighbors.

Below Wisconsin average; work needed

Racine's 59.0 falls 6.6 points below Wisconsin's 65.6 state average, ranking it in the lower half of the state's 72 counties. It lags behind most peer counties in this analysis.

Solid income and surprisingly low risk

Racine's income score of 32.6 is respectable, with median household income of $75,331, and its risk score of 14.6 is the lowest among all eight counties—signaling economic stability. These are bright spots in an otherwise mixed profile.

High taxes and healthcare gaps

Racine's effective tax rate of 1.700% is the highest in this group, and its health score of 71.8 trails peers by 3-7 points. Higher housing costs (median rent $1,017/month) compound affordability stress.

Suited for tax-tolerant, risk-averse families

Racine County works best for households with stable incomes who can absorb higher taxes and don't prioritize lowest-cost housing. It offers economic predictability but requires accepting above-average tax and housing expenses.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.4Cost70.5SafetyComing SoonHealth71.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.6Risk14.6WaterComing Soon
🏛54.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.6
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 Racine County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Collier County
Florida
59
Median income: $86,173
St. Lucie County
Florida
59
Median income: $69,027
Worcester County
Massachusetts
59
Median income: $93,561
Cayuga County
New York
59
Median income: $66,583
St. Lawrence County
New York
59
Median income: $61,900

Deep Dives

Racine County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Racine County

via TaxByCounty

Racine County taxes among highest in nation

At 1.700%, Racine County's effective tax rate meets the national median—but on homes valued lower than the national average, meaning real costs climb fast. The median property tax of $4,071 ranks among the highest seen anywhere in the country.

Wisconsin's second-highest rate overall

Racine County's 1.700% effective rate significantly exceeds Wisconsin's 1.436% average, making it one of the state's biggest property tax burdens. Homeowners pay roughly $990 more annually than the typical Wisconsin resident—the highest in this dataset.

Highest rate among regional peers

Racine County's 1.700% dwarfs Rock County (1.692%) and dramatically outpaces Sauk County (1.504%), Richland County (1.411%), and all northern counties. Only Rock County comes close to this exceptionally high rate.

Median bill reaches $4,071 annually

A typical Racine County home valued at $239,400 incurs $4,071 in annual property taxes—the highest in this analysis. Homeowners with mortgages pay $4,194, while mortgage-free owners average $3,866.

Appealing assessments becomes critical here

Given Racine County's exceptionally high tax rates, homeowners must carefully review their assessed values and challenge any inflated valuations. The cost of an appeal is minimal compared to potential savings year after year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Racine County

via CostByCounty

Racine faces above-average housing stress

Racine County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% exceeds the national average, meaning residents dedicate a larger share of income to housing. Despite a median household income of $75,331—nearly matching the U.S. average of $74,755—renters here face noticeably higher affordability pressure.

Racine ranks among Wisconsin's most expensive

At 16.2%, Racine's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest in Wisconsin, well above the state average of 14.9%. The median rent of $1,017/month represents one of the state's pricier rental markets.

Racine rents lead the comparison group

Racine's median rent of $1,017/month is $59 higher than Rock County and $114 more than Price County, reflecting stronger demand in this southeastern Wisconsin market. Homeowners face the highest ownership costs in this group at $1,278/month.

Homeownership costs run highest here

Racine renters pay $1,017/month while homeowners shoulder $1,278/month—the highest ownership costs in this comparison. With median income of $75,331, housing consumes 16.2% of renters' budgets and 20.3% for homeowners, above comfortable thresholds.

Racine: premium pricing for urban access

Racine works best for those willing to pay more for proximity to Lake Michigan and regional job markets. If you're relocating, weigh Racine's higher costs ($1,017+ rent) against access to amenities and employment opportunities other counties can't match.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Racine County

via IncomeByCounty

Racine edges past the nation

Racine County's median household income of $75,331 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 0.8%. While the margin is slim, Racine maintains income parity with the broader American economy.

Strong Wisconsin standing

At $75,331, Racine County surpasses Wisconsin's state median of $71,715 by $3,616. This consistent edge positions Racine in the state's upper half, with incomes reflecting the county's established manufacturing and service sectors.

Regional income leader

Racine's $75,331 significantly outpaces rural neighbors Price ($58,720, a 28% gap) and Richland County ($62,649, a 20% gap). Among southeastern Wisconsin's income profile, Racine maintains competitive earnings.

Rental costs rise slightly

At 16.2% of household income, Racine's rent-to-income ratio creeps toward the upper comfort zone but remains manageable. A median home value of $239,400 remains accessible for typical households, though affordability requires attention to down payment planning.

Invest beyond the basics

Racine County's per capita income of $39,704 supports wealth diversification—once housing and emergency savings are solid. Consider employer 401(k) matching, IRAs, or taxable brokerage accounts to accelerate long-term asset growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Racine County

via HealthByCounty

Racine County trails national life expectancy

At 75.8 years, Racine County residents live 2 years below the U.S. average, with 18.2% reporting poor or fair health—among the highest rates nationally. This gap reflects chronic disease burden, socioeconomic disparities, and healthcare access challenges concentrated in the county's urban core.

Wisconsin's health equity challenge

Racine County's 75.8-year life expectancy lags Wisconsin's 77.8-year average by 2 years, the largest gap among comparison counties, while its 7.2% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state norm. These disparities underscore Racine's need for targeted public health investment and provider expansion.

Significant disadvantage across metrics

Racine County's 75.8-year life expectancy trails all regional peers, falling 3.5 years below Portage County and 2.5 years below Rock County (76.3). Its 18.2% poor/fair health rate is the highest in the region, signaling concentrated health challenges.

Insurance gaps meet provider shortage

Racine County's 43 primary care providers per 100K ranks below most peers, and 7.2% of residents—roughly 6,900 people—lack health insurance entirely. For uninsured residents facing chronic conditions, delayed care often worsens outcomes and increases emergency department reliance.

Health coverage is a right

Nearly 7,000 Racine County residents are uninsured, placing them at financial and health risk when illness strikes without warning. Explore your options today: Wisconsin Medicaid, ACA subsidies, and community health centers can make care affordable—visit HealthCare.gov or call 211 for local resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Racine County

via RiskByCounty

Racine County faces above-average risk

Racine County's composite risk score of 85.43 and Relatively Moderate rating place it well above the national average, signaling genuine elevated exposure to multiple hazards. This southeastern Wisconsin county ranks among the nation's more vulnerable regions for natural disaster risk.

Highest-risk county in Wisconsin

At 85.43, Racine County significantly exceeds Wisconsin's 59.08 state average and ranks as the state's most hazard-exposed county by a substantial margin. Its position on Lake Michigan and in southern Wisconsin's severe weather corridor drives this elevated profile.

Riskier than all surrounding counties

Racine County's score of 85.43 dramatically exceeds neighboring Rock County (86.36)—actually tied as the state's two riskiest counties. Both far outpace safer inland counties like Richland (51.56), underscoring the heightened vulnerability of southern Wisconsin's urbanized lakeshore corridor.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes loom

Racine County faces severe tornado risk (93.07), exceptional flood risk (85.66), and surprisingly significant earthquake risk (61.39)—the latter driven by proximity to seismic zones. These three hazards combined create a complex, multi-faceted threat landscape requiring comprehensive preparedness.

Layered insurance essential for safety

Racine County residents must secure robust flood insurance, reinforce homes against tornadoes, and consider earthquake coverage—a rare necessity in Wisconsin. Work with an insurance agent to build a multi-hazard protection plan and establish a detailed home inventory for damage claims.

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.