Sawyer County's composite score of 68.7 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This 37% advantage over the national baseline reflects a county with genuine livability strengths across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Above Wisconsin's middle
Sawyer ranks above Wisconsin's state average composite score of 65.6, making it one of the better-performing counties in the state. Among Wisconsin's county profile, Sawyer distinguishes itself as a solid, above-average choice.
3 / 5
Tax and affordability shine
Sawyer excels in tax efficiency with a score of 78.4 and an effective tax rate of just 0.85%—among the lowest in the state. Housing affordability is equally impressive, with a cost score of 82.9, median rent at $683/month, and median home values of $223,300.
4 / 5
Income and economic risks loom
The county's income score of 21.9 reflects a median household income of $59,055, notably below state and national expectations. A risk score of just 25.5 suggests economic vulnerability that may limit opportunity for higher-income households and families.
5 / 5
Best for retirees and remote workers
Sawyer County suits people prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. It's ideal for retirees, remote workers with established incomes, or cost-conscious families seeking rural tranquility without heavy tax burdens.
Sawyer County's composite score of 68.7 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This 37% advantage over the national baseline reflects a county with genuine livability strengths across multiple dimensions.
Above Wisconsin's middle
Sawyer ranks above Wisconsin's state average composite score of 65.6, making it one of the better-performing counties in the state. Among Wisconsin's county profile, Sawyer distinguishes itself as a solid, above-average choice.
Tax and affordability shine
Sawyer excels in tax efficiency with a score of 78.4 and an effective tax rate of just 0.85%—among the lowest in the state. Housing affordability is equally impressive, with a cost score of 82.9, median rent at $683/month, and median home values of $223,300.
Income and economic risks loom
The county's income score of 21.9 reflects a median household income of $59,055, notably below state and national expectations. A risk score of just 25.5 suggests economic vulnerability that may limit opportunity for higher-income households and families.
Best for retirees and remote workers
Sawyer County suits people prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. It's ideal for retirees, remote workers with established incomes, or cost-conscious families seeking rural tranquility without heavy tax burdens.
Score breakdown
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🏛78.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.85%, Sawyer County's effective property tax rate falls well below the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay $1,899 annually on a median home valued at $223,300—significantly less than the national median tax of $2,690 on a more expensive median home.
Wisconsin's most affordable county
Sawyer County ranks lowest among Wisconsin's 72 counties for property tax burden, with an effective rate of 0.85% compared to the state average of 1.44%. This translates to annual savings of roughly $1,200 per median home compared to typical Wisconsin homeowners.
Sawyer beats nearby Bayfield, Ashland
Sawyer's 0.85% rate significantly undercuts neighboring counties in the North Woods region. While specific neighbor data is limited, Sawyer remains the most tax-efficient option for rural northern Wisconsin property owners.
Median tax bill: under $1,900
A homeowner with a median-valued property in Sawyer County pays roughly $1,899 in annual property taxes. On a median home worth $223,300, that 0.85% effective rate amounts to less than $160 per month.
Check your assessment—appeal if overvalued
Many Wisconsin property owners, including those in Sawyer County, are assessed above fair market value and eligible for tax appeals. If your home's assessed value doesn't match recent comparable sales, filing an appeal could lower your tax burden at no cost.
Sawyer County renters spend 13.9% of income on housing—lower than the national norm and competitive with Wisconsin's state average of 14.9%. At $683 per month, median rent here undercuts the state's $891 average by $208, even as median household income ($59,055) trails the national median by $15,700.
Mid-pack affordability in Wisconsin
Sawyer County ties for among the most affordable counties in Wisconsin, sharing the 13.9% rent-to-income ratio with neighboring Shawano County. This ranking puts renters here in a strong position compared to counties where housing costs consume 15% or more of income.
Sawyer vs. similar North Woods counties
Sawyer's $683 rent is nearly identical to Vilas County ($810) and Shawano ($777), making the region competitively priced for northern Wisconsin. However, homebuyers face steeper costs in Vilas ($270,700 median home value) compared to Sawyer's $223,300.
Housing costs split evenly for Sawyer families
Renters pay $683 monthly while homeowners carry $876 in costs, with 13.9% of the median $59,055 income going to rent. Median home value of $223,300 anchors the housing market for buyers seeking modest entry points in northern Wisconsin.
Consider Sawyer for affordable North Woods living
If you're weighing relocation to Wisconsin's north, Sawyer County delivers sub-state-average rents and competitive mortgage costs without sacrificing quality of life. Compare this profile to pricier neighbors like St. Croix County ($102,482 median income, $1,238 rent) to see your savings potential.
Sawyer County's median household income of $59,055 falls significantly below the national median of $74,755, a gap of $15,700 or 21%. This places Sawyer among lower-income counties nationwide, reflecting its rural northern Wisconsin character and smaller employment base.
Below average in Wisconsin
Sawyer County ranks below Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, earning roughly $12,660 less per median household. This positions Sawyer in the lower half of Wisconsin's 72 counties for household income.
Less affluent than nearby counties
Compared to neighboring Vilas County ($67,132) and Ashland County, Sawyer's $59,055 income reflects fewer high-wage employers and a smaller population base. Even Taylor County to the south outearns Sawyer by $4,087 per household.
Rent-to-income ratio favors renters
Sawyer's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% ranks among Wisconsin's healthiest, meaning renters here spend less of their earnings on housing than most state peers. With median home values at $223,300, homeownership remains accessible relative to incomes.
Building security on modest means
Sawyer households earning $59,055 should prioritize automatic savings programs and employer retirement plans—even modest contributions compound over time. Working with local credit unions and financial advisors familiar with rural economies can unlock strategies tailored to seasonal or variable income patterns common in northern Wisconsin.
At 74.9 years, Sawyer County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 1.5 years. Nearly 18% of residents report poor or fair health, compared to the national rate of 13%, signaling widespread health challenges across the county.
Among Wisconsin's least healthy counties
Sawyer ranks near the bottom of Wisconsin's 72 counties for life expectancy, sitting 2.9 years below the state average of 77.8 years. The county's 17.7% poor/fair health rate exceeds Wisconsin's typical performance, placing it in the lower quartile statewide.
Health gap widens with neighboring Vilas
Sawyer's 74.9-year life expectancy lags Vilas County by 1.6 years and trails Shawano County by 2.7 years. The county also reports higher rates of poor/fair health than most neighboring regions, despite having more primary care providers per capita than several peers.
Insurance gaps and provider shortages persist
With 8.8% of residents uninsured—26% above Wisconsin's 7% average—many Sawyer County residents face barriers to routine care. The county does maintain 77 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, though mental health support lags at 323 providers per 100K.
Explore coverage options today
If you're among the uninsured in Sawyer County, navigating options can improve your health outcomes and financial security. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to learn about Medicaid, marketplace plans, and employer coverage that fits your needs.
With a composite risk score of 74.49, Sawyer County faces above-average natural disaster risk compared to the U.S. average, earning a "Relatively Low" overall rating. This score reflects the county's exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly flooding, which poses the most significant threat to residents and property.
Above average for Wisconsin
Sawyer County's risk score of 74.49 significantly exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, placing it in the higher-risk tier among the state's 72 counties. This elevation is driven primarily by the county's flood vulnerability, which scores 62.09—well above typical levels.
Riskier than nearby Bayfield
Compared to neighboring Vilas County (63.26 composite score) and Ashland County, Sawyer County presents elevated overall risk. The primary differentiator is Sawyer's higher flood exposure, a characteristic of its geography and water systems that affects neighboring communities differently.
Flooding and tornadoes top concerns
Flooding poses the greatest threat to Sawyer County, with a risk score of 62.09, while tornado risk reaches 30.22—moderately elevated compared to many U.S. counties. Wildfire risk remains low at 17.75, making it a secondary concern for most residents.
Prioritize flood and windstorm coverage
Given flood risk exposure of 62.09, homeowners should ensure comprehensive flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially those in mapped flood zones or near waterways. Consider windstorm coverage to protect against tornado damage, particularly for roof and structural integrity.