Vernon County's composite score of 64.1 tops the national median of 50.0 by 28%, placing it in the solid upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The county delivers livability above typical American benchmarks.
2 / 5
Slightly below state performance
Vernon's score of 64.1 edges below Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, marking it as a near-average Wisconsin community. The county sits at the median of statewide livability.
3 / 5
Affordability and tax relief
Vernon excels with a cost score of 79.0 and median rent of $826/month, supporting accessible housing for working families. The tax score of 63.8 and effective rate of 1.369% keep tax burden reasonable.
4 / 5
Income and health concerns
The income score of 28.8 and median household income of $69,556 limit earning potential compared to some peers. Health score of 69.5 ranks lower in this cohort, suggesting room for health care improvements.
5 / 5
Suits cost-conscious families
Vernon County appeals to budget-minded families and retirees prioritizing affordable living and lower taxes. It works best for people seeking rural stability and modest lifestyle costs in a working-class community.
Vernon County's composite score of 64.1 tops the national median of 50.0 by 28%, placing it in the solid upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The county delivers livability above typical American benchmarks.
Slightly below state performance
Vernon's score of 64.1 edges below Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, marking it as a near-average Wisconsin community. The county sits at the median of statewide livability.
Affordability and tax relief
Vernon excels with a cost score of 79.0 and median rent of $826/month, supporting accessible housing for working families. The tax score of 63.8 and effective rate of 1.369% keep tax burden reasonable.
Income and health concerns
The income score of 28.8 and median household income of $69,556 limit earning potential compared to some peers. Health score of 69.5 ranks lower in this cohort, suggesting room for health care improvements.
Suits cost-conscious families
Vernon County appeals to budget-minded families and retirees prioritizing affordable living and lower taxes. It works best for people seeking rural stability and modest lifestyle costs in a working-class community.
Score breakdown
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🏛63.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.37%, Vernon County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.09% by roughly 26%, placing it above half of American counties. The median annual tax of $2,883 runs $193 higher than the national median, despite a lower median home value.
Above Wisconsin state average
Vernon County's 1.37% effective rate sits above Wisconsin's state average of 1.44%—actually below when stated precisely, making it slightly better than typical. At $2,883 in median annual taxes, Vernon residents pay $198 less than the state average of $3,081.
Moderate in southwestern Wisconsin
Vernon County's 1.37% rate positions it between lower-taxed and higher-taxed counties in the southwestern Wisconsin region. The rate reflects typical rural county funding needs.
Median annual bill nearly $2,900
Vernon County homeowners with a median-valued property of $210,600 pay approximately $2,883 in annual property taxes. That equals roughly $240 per month, near the state median.
Review your assessed value annually
Vernon County residents should compare their assessed values to recent comparable sales in their town or village. If your property is assessed above similar homes that recently sold, filing an appeal could reduce your tax bill.
Vernon punches above national affordability weight
Vernon County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio beats both the national and state averages, with $826 monthly rent sitting 7% below Wisconsin's $891 median. Median income of $69,556 trails the national average by $5,199, yet renters enjoy above-average affordability through lower absolute costs.
Vernon leads mid-tier Wisconsin affordability
Vernon County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Wisconsin's better performers, beating the state average of 14.9% and rivaling top-tier affordable counties. This places Vernon in Wisconsin's affordability sweet spot—cheaper than developed counties but not the absolute cheapest.
Vernon balances cost across region
Vernon's $826 rent splits the difference between Sawyer ($683) and Trempealeau ($887), making it a moderately priced option in southwestern Wisconsin. At $210,600, its median home value slightly trails Trempealeau ($203,300) and Shawano ($179,100), offering modest buyer value.
Vernon keeps housing share lean
Renters spend just $826 monthly (14.3% of $69,556 income), while homeowners carry $956 in mortgage and property costs—the lowest ratio among the eight counties. Vernon's $210,600 median home value delivers solid buyer accessibility.
Vernon County: regional affordability champion
If you're relocating to southwest Wisconsin and want the best rent-to-income ratio in a 400-mile radius, Vernon County delivers above-average affordability without sacrificing community stability. Stack this against pricier Sheboygan or St. Croix to quantify your potential housing savings.
Vernon County's median household income of $69,556 falls $5,199 short of the national median of $74,755, a 7% gap. This reflects Vernon's rural southwestern Wisconsin character, though it performs better than many agricultural counties.
Slightly below Wisconsin average
Vernon ranks near Wisconsin's state average of $71,715, earning $2,159 less per median household. This positions Vernon in Wisconsin's solid middle band for household income.
Mid-range regional earner
Vernon's $69,556 sits between Shawano ($67,032) and Trempealeau ($71,295), ranking as a moderate earner among peer counties. St. Croix ($102,482) and Sheboygan ($71,898) significantly outpace Vernon's earnings.
Balanced housing affordability
Vernon's rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% sits near the Wisconsin median, indicating reasonable housing affordability. Median home values of $210,600 align well with the county's $69,556 median household income.
Thoughtful planning drives progress
Vernon households earning $69,556 should establish automatic retirement contributions and build a diversified emergency fund before expanding into investments. Consulting local financial planners about agricultural or small-business wealth strategies can unlock opportunities tailored to Vernon's economy.
Vernon matches national life expectancy, trails in health
At 77.8 years, Vernon County's life expectancy matches the U.S. average of 76.4 years—though higher than stated national baseline at 77.8. Yet 17% report poor or fair health, well above the national 13%, revealing significant unmet health needs beneath average longevity.
State-average lifespan, high uninsured rate
Vernon's 77.8-year life expectancy aligns perfectly with Wisconsin's state average, but its 12.4% uninsured rate is the highest among all profiled counties—nearly double the state's 7% average. This gap suggests systemic barriers to healthcare access and affordability.
Highest uninsured rate, adequate providers
Vernon's 12.4% uninsured rate dramatically exceeds nearby counties like Sheboygan (5.4%) and Trempealeau (7.6%), making it a regional outlier. The county does maintain 104 primary care providers per 100K—strong on paper—but insurance gaps likely reduce utilization.
Uninsured crisis outpaces provider availability
Over 1 in 8 Vernon County residents—approximately 1,700 people—lack health insurance, creating the worst coverage gap in this group. Though the county has adequate primary care provider ratios and reasonable mental health support, uninsured residents often defer care, leading to the elevated poor/fair health rates.
Vernon County's insurance crisis demands action
At 12.4% uninsured, Vernon faces a public health emergency: nearly twice the state average, blocking access to preventive care and routine treatment. Visit healthcare.gov immediately or contact Vernon County's health department to explore BadgerCare, Marketplace subsidies, and emergency funds for medical debt.
With a composite risk score of 74.97, Vernon County exceeds the national average and earns a "Relatively Low" rating despite significant exposure to flooding and tornadoes. The county's driftless topography and river valleys create natural vulnerability corridors.
Wisconsin's second-riskiest county
Vernon County's score of 74.97 places it among Wisconsin's highest-risk counties, second only to a handful of peers, well above the state average of 59.08. The county's combination of flood, tornado, and modest earthquake risk explains this elevated position.
Riskier than Crawford, Richland
Vernon County's risk score of 74.97 significantly exceeds neighboring Crawford and Richland counties, despite their shared driftless terrain. Vernon's higher tornado risk (69.43) and specific flood vulnerability patterns distinguish it as the region's riskiest county.
Flooding and severe tornadoes
Flood risk reaches 70.17, making it Vernon County's most significant hazard as the Kickapoo, Baraboo, and other river systems regularly threaten property. Tornado risk at 69.43 ranks among Wisconsin's highest, creating a dual severe-weather threat.
Flood and windstorm coverage essential
Given flood risk of 70.17, all homeowners near rivers and low-lying areas must secure flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Windstorm and hail coverage is equally critical for the county's 69.43 tornado risk, particularly for roof and structural protection.