CountyScore

Taylor County

Wisconsin · WI

#18 in Wisconsin
68.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Taylor County, Wisconsin

Taylor outperforms the nation

Taylor County's composite score of 68.3 stands 37% above the national median of 50.0, placing it firmly in the top tier of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects multiple dimensions of livability strength.

Above Wisconsin's benchmark

Taylor's score of 68.3 notably exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, making it one of the state's better performers. The county stands out as a livable Wisconsin option.

Risk management and value

Taylor boasts the strongest risk score in this cohort at 62.8, suggesting economic resilience and stability. The cost score of 79.9 and median home values of $186,500 keep housing accessible for working families.

Income and taxation moderate

The income score of 24.6 reflects a median household income of $63,142, below state expectations and constraining economic opportunity. Tax score of 62.4 with an effective rate of 1.419% indicates moderate tax burden.

Best for resilient, budget-minded folks

Taylor County appeals to families prioritizing economic stability and affordability over peak earning potential. It suits retirees, rural lifestyle seekers, and working families who value resilient communities and low housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.4Cost79.9SafetyComing SoonHealth75.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.6Risk62.8WaterComing Soon
🏛62.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.8
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 Taylor County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Etowah County
Alabama
68.3
Median income: $53,070
Greene County
Arkansas
68.3
Median income: $56,793
Charlton County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $48,534
Wilkes County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $52,542
Greene County
Illinois
68.3
Median income: $60,976

Deep Dives

Taylor County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Taylor County

via TaxByCounty

Taylor's tax rate matches U.S. median

At 1.42%, Taylor County's effective tax rate closely mirrors the national median of 1.09%, placing it squarely in the middle of American counties. The median annual tax of $2,647 on a median home of $186,500 runs slightly below the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below Wisconsin average

Taylor County's 1.42% effective rate sits just below Wisconsin's state average of 1.44%, making it one of the more affordable counties in the state. The median tax of $2,647 runs $434 below the state average of $3,081.

Competitive with Ashland, Bayfield

Taylor County's 1.42% rate positions it as a reasonable option among northern Wisconsin counties with limited commercial tax base. The county's rural character keeps tax rates moderate relative to state benchmarks.

Annual tax around $2,600

A Taylor County homeowner with a median-valued property of $186,500 pays approximately $2,647 in property taxes per year. That translates to roughly $221 monthly, below both state and national medians.

Challenge inflated assessments

Taylor County residents should verify their assessed values against current market conditions, as property values fluctuate with rural economic cycles. Submitting a simple appeal can correct overvaluations and reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Taylor County

via CostByCounty

Taylor matches state pressure, lags income

Taylor County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio exactly matches Wisconsin's state average, but median household income of $63,142 trails the national average by $11,613. Renters pay $786 monthly—close to the state's $891—making housing costs moderately challenging for below-average earners.

Taylor sits at Wisconsin's affordability baseline

Taylor County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio ties the state average, placing it squarely in Wisconsin's middle tier for housing affordability. This means renters face typical statewide pressure without exceptional relief or acute burden.

Taylor rents align with north-central peers

Taylor's $786 rent fits snugly between Sawyer ($683) and Shawano ($777), making it a regional affordable option in northern Wisconsin. Its $186,500 median home value undercuts most neighbors except Shawano, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.

Taylor housing claims state-average share

Renters spend $786 monthly (14.9% of $63,142 income), while homeowners carry $947 in mortgage and property costs. The $186,500 median home value positions Taylor as a affordable entry point for first-time buyers.

Taylor for middle-income Wisconsin relocators

If your household earns $60,000–$70,000 and you want a true middle-of-the-road Wisconsin experience, Taylor County delivers state-average housing pressure with modestly lower costs than developed counties. Compare to St. Croix's luxury pricing to see how geography amplifies affordability gaps across Wisconsin.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Taylor County

via IncomeByCounty

Taylor income lags behind national

Taylor County's median household income of $63,142 falls $11,613 below the national median of $74,755, a 16% gap. This reflects Taylor's rural northern Wisconsin economy with limited large employers.

Among Wisconsin's lower earners

Taylor County ranks below Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, trailing by $8,573 per median household. Taylor sits in the lower third of Wisconsin counties for household income.

Modest income among neighbors

Taylor's $63,142 income ranks below Trempealeau ($71,295), Shawano ($67,032), and Vernon ($69,556), making it one of the region's lower-income counties. Only Sawyer County ($59,055) falls notably below Taylor.

Tight housing-income ratio

Taylor's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% ranks among Wisconsin's highest, indicating housing costs consume a larger share of earnings. Median home values of $186,500 remain modest, but still represent significant leverage for households earning $63,142.

Disciplined saving builds stability

Taylor households earning $63,142 should focus on emergency funds and employer retirement matching before expanding investments. Automating even small monthly savings and exploring local credit union programs can build durable financial foundations despite modest incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Taylor County

via HealthByCounty

Taylor's life expectancy masks care shortages

At 79.2 years, Taylor County residents live 2.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, yet 17% report poor or fair health—well above the national 13% average. This paradox suggests pockets of serious health challenges despite longer average lifespan.

Good longevity, high illness rates within Wisconsin

Taylor's 79.2-year life expectancy exceeds Wisconsin's 77.8-year average by 1.4 years, but its 17% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's highest. The county's 7.6% uninsured rate mirrors the state average, though access to providers remains constrained.

Severe primary care provider shortage

Taylor's 79.2-year life expectancy rivals Trempealeau (79.4 years), but the county faces a critical access gap: just 25 primary care providers per 100K residents—the lowest in this group. This shortage stands out starkly against Sawyer's 77 and Vernon's 104 providers per 100K.

Provider crisis threatens daily healthcare access

Taylor County residents struggle to access primary care, with only 25 providers per 100K—less than one-third the ratio in well-served counties like Vernon. Combined with 7.6% uninsured and mental health providers numbering just 125 per 100K, residents face real barriers to routine and behavioral care.

Get insurance now, plan for access

In Taylor County's tight provider market, health insurance alone isn't enough—you need to understand where to access care and plan ahead. Secure coverage at healthcare.gov first, then contact your county health department to identify accessible providers and telehealth options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Taylor County

via RiskByCounty

Taylor County has lowest risk in state

With a composite risk score of just 37.18, Taylor County earns a "Very Low" rating and sits well below the national average. The county faces minimal exposure to most natural disaster hazards, making it one of Wisconsin's safest communities.

Wisconsin's safest county

Taylor County's score of 37.18 falls dramatically below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, placing it as the lowest-risk county in the state. This exceptional safety profile reflects the county's relative isolation from major hazard corridors.

Far safer than Rusk, Price

Taylor County's risk score of 37.18 is substantially lower than neighboring Rusk County and Price County, which face elevated flood and wildfire threats. This makes Taylor County a notably safer choice within the north-central region.

Flooding remains only moderate concern

Flood risk is Taylor County's highest hazard at 42.53, though this remains below state averages and poses minimal risk to most properties. Tornado risk (48.63) and wildfire risk (14.41) are both manageable, making the county exceptionally safe overall.

Standard homeowners insurance sufficient

Taylor County residents face minimal natural disaster risk and can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most situations. Those in mapped flood zones or near waterways should consider flood insurance as a precaution, but overall coverage needs are below most Wisconsin counties.

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.