CountyScore

Sauk County

Wisconsin · WI

#59 in Wisconsin
62.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Sauk County, Wisconsin

Sauk ranks solidly above U.S. average

Sauk County scores 62.7, which is 12.7 points above the national median of 50.0, indicating above-average livability. The county demonstrates reasonable strength across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below Wisconsin average

Sauk scores 62.7, falling 2.9 points below Wisconsin's 65.6 state average, placing it just below the middle tier of the state's 72 counties. It's competitive but not top-tier regionally.

Highest income and reasonable affordability

Sauk County's income score of 34.1 is the highest in this eight-county group, with median household income of $77,648 supporting wealth-building potential. Cost and health scores (72.2 and 73.7) also provide solid foundations.

Moderate taxes and rising housing costs

Sauk's tax score of 60.0 (1.504% rate) and cost score of 72.2 lag slightly behind more affordable peers, with median rent at $970/month. The moderate risk score of 27.9 warrants attention.

Best for income-focused families

Sauk County suits families and professionals prioritizing higher earning potential and career growth over ultra-low housing costs. It offers the strongest income profile in this group, making it attractive for dual-income and upward-mobile households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60Cost72.2SafetyComing SoonHealth73.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.1Risk27.9WaterComing Soon
🏛60
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27.9
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 Sauk County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pima County
Arizona
62.7
Median income: $67,929
Eagle County
Colorado
62.7
Median income: $103,174
El Paso County
Colorado
62.7
Median income: $87,470
Mitchell County
Georgia
62.7
Median income: $51,908
Woodford County
Illinois
62.7
Median income: $85,629

Deep Dives

Sauk County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sauk County

via TaxByCounty

Sauk County taxes run above U.S. median

At 1.504%, Sauk 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 $3,646 reflects moderate home values paired with moderately high rates.

Among Wisconsin's higher-tax counties

Sauk County's 1.504% effective rate exceeds Wisconsin's 1.436% average by about 4.7%, ranking it in the upper third statewide. Homeowners pay roughly $565 more annually than the typical Wisconsin resident.

Second-highest in southern region

Sauk County's 1.504% rate trails only Rock County (1.692%) and Racine County (1.700%) locally, but exceeds Richland County (1.411%). Among central Wisconsin counties, it ranks in the middle-to-high range.

Median annual tax bill reaches $3,646

A typical Sauk County home valued at $242,400 incurs $3,646 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $3,758, while mortgage-free owners average $3,397.

Challenge inflated assessments when warranted

With above-average tax rates, Sauk County homeowners benefit from carefully reviewing assessed values against recent comparable sales. Filing an assessment appeal during the review period costs little but can yield substantial annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sauk County

via CostByCounty

Sauk County maintains solid affordability balance

Sauk County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% sits just barely above the national comfort zone, with a median household income of $77,648—3.9% above the U.S. average. Residents here enjoy relatively balanced housing costs and earnings.

Sauk ranks among Wisconsin's best values

At 15.0%, Sauk's rent-to-income ratio sits nearly even with Wisconsin's state average of 14.9%, positioning it as one of the state's more affordable counties. The median rent of $970/month remains below the upper-cost counties while median income ranks among the highest.

Sauk offers excellent cost-income balance

Sauk's median rent of $970/month sits between lower-cost rural counties and higher-cost urban areas, while its median income of $77,648 ranks second-highest in this group. This combination makes Sauk one of the region's most balanced markets.

Sauk renters enjoy sustainable housing costs

Renters pay $970/month while homeowners allocate $1,228/month for housing in Sauk County. Against a median income of $77,648, renters dedicate just 15.0% of annual earnings to housing, while homeowners commit 19.0%—solid positioning for long-term financial health.

Sauk offers genuine relocation opportunities

Sauk County represents an excellent choice for relocators seeking sustainable housing costs paired with strong median income of $77,648. Consider Sauk if you value small-town Wisconsin living with responsible housing burden ratios and a median home value of $242,400 for investment.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sauk County

via IncomeByCounty

Sauk outearns the nation

Sauk County's median household income of $77,648 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 3.9%. The county stands above typical American earnings, reflecting a diversified, resilient economic base.

Wisconsin's upper tier

At $77,648, Sauk County outpaces Wisconsin's state median of $71,715 by $5,933. This strong advantage places Sauk among Wisconsin's top income counties, supported by healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors.

Regional income leader

Sauk's $77,648 significantly outearns all regional peers: Richland ($62,649, a 24% gap), Price ($58,720, a 32% gap), and Rusk ($58,322, a 33% gap). Within south-central Wisconsin, Sauk leads regional income performance.

Best affordability profile

Sauk County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% is among the healthiest among these eight counties. Combined with a median home value of $242,400, Sauk offers strong housing affordability for households at the county median income.

Invest aggressively here

Sauk County's per capita income of $39,770 provides robust capacity for wealth-building and investment. With strong income and favorable housing costs, prioritize maxing retirement accounts, diversifying investments, and building long-term asset growth for retirement security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sauk County

via HealthByCounty

Sauk County slightly trails national life expectancy

At 77.7 years, Sauk County residents live just 0.1 years below the U.S. average, with 17.3% reporting poor or fair health slightly above national norms. Overall longevity masks a significant share of residents experiencing chronic health limitations.

Aligned with Wisconsin average

Sauk County's 77.7-year life expectancy nearly matches Wisconsin's 77.8-year average, while its 7.6% uninsured rate exceeds the state norm by 0.6 percentage points. This slight insurance gap, combined with 17.3% reporting poor/fair health, suggests room for improved access and coverage.

Strong provider network, moderate health outcomes

Sauk County's 101 primary care providers per 100K is the highest in the region, exceeding even Polk County (79 per 100K), while its 202 mental health providers per 100K is competitive. Despite this provider abundance, 77.7-year life expectancy trails Portage County (79.3) by 1.6 years, suggesting barriers beyond supply.

Ample providers don't guarantee access

Sauk County has robust primary care infrastructure with 101 providers per 100K, yet 7.6% of residents—roughly 2,500 people—lack health insurance, creating affordability barriers to using those services. The 17.3% poor/fair health rate indicates that supply alone doesn't overcome insurance, transportation, or health literacy gaps.

Your coverage matters in Sauk County

With excellent providers available, uninsured Sauk County residents are missing healthcare opportunities that could improve their health and financial security. If you're among the uninsured 7.6%, visit HealthCare.gov or Wisconsin Medicaid today—affordable coverage unlocks the county's strong provider network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sauk County

via RiskByCounty

Sauk County's risk moderately elevated

Sauk County's composite risk score of 72.11 and Relatively Low rating place it above the national average, indicating above-typical natural disaster exposure. This south-central Wisconsin county faces more hazards than most American counties, though not at extreme levels.

Upper-middle tier within Wisconsin

At 72.11, Sauk County exceeds Wisconsin's 59.08 state average and ranks in the upper-middle tier of risk across the state's counties. Its location in the state's more hazard-prone south-central region contributes to this elevated profile.

Riskier than Richland, safer than Rock

Sauk County's score of 72.11 sits between safer Richland County (51.56) to the south and riskier Rock County (86.36) to the southeast. Its position reflects the transition from southwestern Wisconsin's more moderate hazard exposure to the south-central corridor's elevated risk.

Tornadoes and floods are twin threats

Tornado risk at 78.28 and flood risk at 77.54 create nearly equal hazards in Sauk County, while wildfire (27.16) and wildfire exposure remain minimal. This dual exposure to water and severe wind damage requires balanced preparedness strategies.

Dual insurance strategy recommended

Sauk County homeowners should prioritize both flood insurance and comprehensive wind coverage, given the county's elevated exposure to both hazards. Create a family emergency plan, identify your nearest tornado shelter, and document your home's contents for insurance purposes.

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.