With a composite score of 66.2, Shawano County outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 32%, landing it in the upper middle tier of American counties. This solid performance reflects balanced livability across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Slightly above state average
Shawano's score of 66.2 edges past Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, positioning it as a competitive option within the state. The county holds its own among Wisconsin's varied communities.
3 / 5
Health and affordability lead
Shawano shines with a health score of 74.8, one of the strongest in this cohort, and a cost score of 80.3 supporting affordable living. Median rent of $777/month and median home values of $179,100 remain accessible to working families.
4 / 5
Taxes and income lag behind
The tax score of 61.6 with an effective rate of 1.445% ranks higher than some peers, signaling moderate tax burden. Income score of 27.1 and median household income of $67,032 leave room for economic growth.
5 / 5
Ideal for health-conscious families
Shawano County appeals to families prioritizing health outcomes and affordable housing in a rural setting. It's best suited for working families and young professionals seeking community stability without premium costs.
With a composite score of 66.2, Shawano County outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 32%, landing it in the upper middle tier of American counties. This solid performance reflects balanced livability across multiple dimensions.
Slightly above state average
Shawano's score of 66.2 edges past Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, positioning it as a competitive option within the state. The county holds its own among Wisconsin's varied communities.
Health and affordability lead
Shawano shines with a health score of 74.8, one of the strongest in this cohort, and a cost score of 80.3 supporting affordable living. Median rent of $777/month and median home values of $179,100 remain accessible to working families.
Taxes and income lag behind
The tax score of 61.6 with an effective rate of 1.445% ranks higher than some peers, signaling moderate tax burden. Income score of 27.1 and median household income of $67,032 leave room for economic growth.
Ideal for health-conscious families
Shawano County appeals to families prioritizing health outcomes and affordable housing in a rural setting. It's best suited for working families and young professionals seeking community stability without premium costs.
Score breakdown
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🏛61.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.45%, Shawano County's effective tax rate sits just above the national median of 1.09%, placing it slightly higher than half of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $2,588 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, despite a lower median home value of $179,100.
Shawano ranks middle of the pack
Shawano County's 1.45% effective rate ranks squarely at Wisconsin's state average of 1.44%, making it representative of typical tax burden across the state. The county's median tax of $2,588 falls slightly below the state average of $3,081.
Competitive with surrounding rural areas
Shawano County's 1.45% rate aligns closely with other northeastern Wisconsin counties serving small cities and agricultural areas. This positioning makes Shawano competitive for families considering the region.
Annual tax on median home: $2,588
A Shawano County homeowner with a median-valued property of $179,100 pays approximately $2,588 per year in property taxes. That breaks down to roughly $216 monthly—moderate for Wisconsin families.
Review your assessment before the deadline
Wisconsin law allows homeowners to challenge assessed values if they believe properties are overvalued relative to recent market sales. Shawano County residents should verify their assessment matches comparable homes sold in their neighborhood.
Shawano County's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio ties the state average while keeping rents 13% below Wisconsin's median at $777 per month. Even with median income ($67,032) below the national average ($74,755), renters here enjoy tighter housing costs than most U.S. counties.
Tied for Wisconsin's best rental bargains
Shawano shares the lowest rent-to-income ratio in Wisconsin at 13.9%, matching Sawyer County and beating the state average. This places Shawano among the most affordable places to rent in the state.
Shawano undercuts most central Wisconsin peers
At $777 monthly rent, Shawano trails Sheboygan ($889) and Trempealeau ($887) by over $100, though it slightly exceeds Sawyer's $683. For homebuyers, Shawano's $179,100 median home value is the lowest among its neighbors, making it attractive to first-time buyers.
Shawano offers balanced renter and buyer costs
Renters allocate 13.9% of the $67,032 median income to $777 rent, while homeowners spend $932 monthly on mortgages and costs. The county's lowest-in-region home values ($179,100) mean buyers face minimal barriers to entry.
Shawano: affordable entry to Wisconsin living
Relocating to Shawano delivers the state's cheapest home purchases and sub-average rents, ideal for budget-conscious families or remote workers. Stack this against pricier St. Croix County ($349,700 homes) to justify a move to Shawano's more modest real estate market.
Shawano County's median household income of $67,032 trails the national median of $74,755 by $7,723, or 10%. This gap reflects Wisconsin's rural character, though Shawano performs better than many Midwest agricultural counties.
Slightly below Wisconsin average
Shawano ranks near the middle of Wisconsin counties with income $4,683 below the state average of $71,715. This positions Shawano in Wisconsin's solid middle tier for household earnings.
Mid-range among regional peers
Shawano's $67,032 income sits between Vilas County ($67,132) to the north and Outagamie County's higher earnings. Vernon County ($69,556) outearns Shawano, while Taylor County ($63,142) falls below, placing Shawano in the regional income middle.
Housing costs remain manageable
With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.9%, Shawano renters enjoy favorable housing affordability compared to national trends. Median home values of $179,100 make homeownership attainable for many households earning near the county median.
Steady income, strategic investing
Shawano's $67,032 median provides a solid foundation for wealth-building when paired with disciplined investing. Starting with index funds, employer 401(k) matches, and tax-advantaged savings accounts can help households reach long-term financial goals.
At 77.6 years, Shawano County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's 15.9% poor/fair health rate remains above the national average of 13%, though it reflects better overall outcomes than some Wisconsin peers.
Above average health in Wisconsin
Shawano's 77.6-year life expectancy exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 77.8 years by a narrow margin, placing the county in the healthier half of the state's counties. At 7.6% uninsured, Shawano remains slightly above Wisconsin's 7% average.
Competitive with regional peers
Shawano's life expectancy mirrors Vilas County (76.5 years) but trails St. Croix County (79.8 years) and Taylor County (79.2 years). The county's primary care provider ratio of 54 per 100K is lower than Sawyer's but reflects access challenges common across rural Wisconsin.
Modest insurance gaps, adequate primary care
At 7.6% uninsured, Shawano's rate slightly exceeds the state baseline, leaving roughly 800 residents without health coverage. The county offers 54 primary care providers per 100K residents, though mental health support at 178 per 100K remains below optimal levels.
Close the coverage gap in Shawano
Nearly 1 in 13 Shawano residents lacks health insurance, creating risks for preventive care and emergency costs. Check your eligibility for Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus or Marketplace plans at healthcare.gov to secure affordable coverage today.
Shawano County's composite risk score of 63.14 places it near the national average, with a "Relatively Low" overall rating. The county's risk profile is notably shaped by severe tornado exposure, which significantly exceeds typical U.S. hazard patterns.
Slightly above Wisconsin's average
At 63.14, Shawano County's composite risk score edges above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, making it moderate-risk within its state context. This puts the county in the middle range of Wisconsin's 72 counties by natural disaster vulnerability.
Similar risk to Outagamie, Waupaca
Shawano County's risk profile closely resembles that of nearby Outagamie and Waupaca counties, which share similar tornado and flood vulnerabilities across the Fox Valley region. All three counties benefit from relatively lower wildfire exposure compared to western Wisconsin counties.
Tornadoes and flooding dominate
Tornado risk in Shawano County reaches 65.90—substantially higher than the national average—making severe wind events the county's primary hazard concern. Flood risk scores 59.73, placing it above average for the state, while wildfire and earthquake risks remain minimal.
Windstorm coverage is essential
With tornado risk at 65.90, homeowners should prioritize comprehensive windstorm and hail coverage to protect against severe thunderstorm damage. Flood insurance is also recommended for properties in flood-prone zones, given the county's 59.73 flood risk score.