Rock County's composite score of 60.4 is 10.4 points above the national median of 50.0, reflecting above-average livability. However, it trails Wisconsin's higher-performing counties.
2 / 5
Below Wisconsin average; room to grow
Rock County scores 60.4, falling 5.2 points below Wisconsin's 65.6 state average, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 72 counties. Peer counties in this analysis outperform it across dimensions.
3 / 5
Health and income provide solid base
Rock County's health score of 74.8 and income score of 31.9 (median household income $74,390) offer respectable livability foundations. These are the county's most competitive advantages.
4 / 5
High taxes and low safety resilience
Rock County's effective tax rate of 1.692% is among the highest in this group, and its risk score of 13.6 is the second-lowest, signaling potential economic or safety vulnerabilities. Housing costs ($1,019/month rent) add affordability pressure.
5 / 5
For stable families with moderate budgets
Rock County suits families with stable incomes who value decent health care and education access but can manage higher taxes. It's a middle-of-the-road choice—livable but not exceptional relative to peer Wisconsin counties.
Rock County's composite score of 60.4 is 10.4 points above the national median of 50.0, reflecting above-average livability. However, it trails Wisconsin's higher-performing counties.
Below Wisconsin average; room to grow
Rock County scores 60.4, falling 5.2 points below Wisconsin's 65.6 state average, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 72 counties. Peer counties in this analysis outperform it across dimensions.
Health and income provide solid base
Rock County's health score of 74.8 and income score of 31.9 (median household income $74,390) offer respectable livability foundations. These are the county's most competitive advantages.
High taxes and low safety resilience
Rock County's effective tax rate of 1.692% is among the highest in this group, and its risk score of 13.6 is the second-lowest, signaling potential economic or safety vulnerabilities. Housing costs ($1,019/month rent) add affordability pressure.
For stable families with moderate budgets
Rock County suits families with stable incomes who value decent health care and education access but can manage higher taxes. It's a middle-of-the-road choice—livable but not exceptional relative to peer Wisconsin counties.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛54.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.692%, Rock County's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 1.700%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. The median property tax of $3,652 reflects both moderate home values and relatively high rates.
Wisconsin's third-highest rate statewide
Rock County's 1.692% effective rate far exceeds Wisconsin's 1.436% average, ranking among the state's costliest counties. Homeowners here pay roughly $571 more annually than the typical Wisconsin resident.
Second only to Racine County locally
Rock County's 1.692% rate trails only Racine County (1.700%) in this region, dramatically exceeding Sauk County (1.504%), Richland County (1.411%), and all northern peers. It's firmly in the high-tax category for southern Wisconsin.
Median bill averages $3,652 yearly
A typical Rock County home valued at $215,900 incurs $3,652 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $3,701, while mortgage-free owners average $3,566.
Assessment appeals hold real value here
Rock County's high tax rates make careful assessment review essential—even a small reduction in assessed value generates meaningful annual savings. Homeowners should compare their valuations to recent comparable sales and appeal if justified.
Rock County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% exceeds both the national average and Wisconsin's state average, signaling tight affordability. Although median household income of $74,390 matches the national average, renters here face higher proportional housing costs.
Rock ranks among Wisconsin's least affordable
At 16.4%, Rock County ties for the highest rent-to-income ratio in this comparison, placing it among Wisconsin's least affordable counties against the state average of 14.9%. The median rent of $1,019/month reflects growing demand in this Janesville-centered market.
Rock rents exceed most surrounding counties
Rock's median rent of $1,019/month ranks second-highest in this group, $2 behind Racine and well above rural counties like Price ($801) and Richland ($786). Homeowners pay $1,129/month, placing Rock squarely in the upper tier.
Renters stretch tight budgets here
Rock County renters pay $1,019/month while homeowners allocate $1,129/month for housing costs. Against a median income of $74,390, renters dedicate 16.4% of annual earnings to housing, while homeowners commit 18.2%—both above comfortable thresholds.
Rock requires higher income to thrive
Rock County suits those with secure above-average incomes, as housing costs here run among Wisconsin's highest at $1,019 rent. If you're relocating, prioritize Rock only if local employment opportunities justify the elevated housing burden of 16.4% of household income.
Rock County's median household income of $74,390 sits just 0.5% below the national median of $74,755. The county holds steady with typical American household earnings, reflecting a balanced regional economy.
Upper-middle Wisconsin rank
At $74,390, Rock County outearns Wisconsin's state median of $71,715 by $2,675. This consistent advantage places Rock in the upper-middle tier of Wisconsin's 72 counties, driven by its manufacturing and education base.
Strong regional competitor
Rock's $74,390 exceeds Richland County ($62,649) by 18.7% and outpaces Price County ($58,720) by 26.6%. Among south-central Wisconsin counties, Rock maintains competitive income levels supported by Janesville's economy.
Watch rental proportions
Rock County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% approaches the higher end of comfort; careful budgeting helps. A median home value of $215,900 is accessible for households at the county median, though down payment planning is important.
Build systematic investment
Rock County's per capita income of $37,428 provides a solid foundation for wealth-building once housing is managed. Establish automatic contributions to retirement plans and explore employer matching programs—consistency beats timing in long-term investing.
At 76.3 years, Rock County residents live 1.5 years below the U.S. average, though the 15.8% poor/fair health rate is near national norms. This gap reflects demographic shifts, economic pressures, and health-limiting occupations that concentrate in the county's industrial base.
Below Wisconsin average health outcomes
Rock County's 76.3-year life expectancy trails Wisconsin's 77.8-year average by 1.5 years, while its 6.6% uninsured rate is one of the lowest in comparison counties. Strong insurance access masks underlying health disparities tied to income and employment patterns.
Middle performer with strong mental health access
Rock County's 76.3-year life expectancy matches Rusk County but trails Portage by 3 years; however, its 228 mental health providers per 100K is the highest in the region. Primary care availability at 51 per 100K is moderate, suggesting some residents face scheduling delays.
Insurance strength doesn't guarantee access
Rock County's 6.6% uninsured rate is among the lowest regionally, protecting most residents from catastrophic medical debt. However, 51 primary care providers per 100K means many appointments require weeks of waiting, and the 76.3-year life expectancy suggests chronic disease management remains uneven across the population.
Ensure continuous coverage
Rock County's strong insurance rates show what coverage can accomplish—but maintaining it is crucial, especially during job changes or family transitions. If your insurance status is uncertain, visit HealthCare.gov or Wisconsin Medicaid to verify enrollment; continuous coverage prevents gaps that derail treatment plans.
Rock County's composite risk score of 86.36 and Relatively Moderate rating place it among the most hazard-exposed counties in the nation. This south-central Wisconsin county's risk profile rivals some of America's most vulnerable regions.
Tied as Wisconsin's highest-risk county
Rock County's 86.36 score essentially ties Racine County (85.43) as Wisconsin's most hazard-exposed county, far exceeding the state average of 59.08. These two southern counties represent a distinct tier of elevated risk within Wisconsin.
Riskiest in its region by far
Rock County's 86.36 dramatically exceeds all nearby counties, including Richland (51.56), Sauk (72.11), and Racine (85.43). Its position in the state's vulnerable south-central corridor, combined with active severe weather patterns, creates a uniquely hazardous environment.
Tornadoes and floods are primary threats
Rock County residents face exceptional tornado risk (94.34) and flood risk (87.60), making it one of the nation's most tornado-active areas. Earthquake risk (59.32) is also notably elevated, creating a three-part hazard profile uncommon in the Midwest.
Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable
Rock County homeowners must prioritize flood insurance, tornado-resistant construction upgrades, and earthquake coverage—a rare but warranted combination in Wisconsin. Work with an insurance professional to ensure your policy covers all three primary hazards and review it annually given the county's exceptional risk level.