Walworth County

Wisconsin · WI

#62 in Wisconsin
62.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Walworth County, Wisconsin

Walworth outpaces national average

Walworth County's composite score of 62.3 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of American counties. This 24% advantage over the national baseline reflects a county that offers solid livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below Wisconsin average

With a score of 62.3, Walworth ranks just below Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 72 counties. The county remains a competitive choice for Wisconsin residents seeking balanced livability.

Health and affordability lead the way

Walworth shines in health outcomes with a score of 77.0 and maintains solid housing affordability at 68.1, with median rent at $1,090 per month. The county's effective tax rate of 1.437% offers moderate tax relief compared to national burdens.

Income growth and risk management lag

The county's income score of 33.9 is a significant constraint, with median household income at $77,359—roughly 19% below the state median. Risk management (25.2) and long-term economic resilience present the most pressing opportunities for improvement.

Best for health-conscious, value-minded families

Walworth works well for families prioritizing healthcare access and affordable living who are accepting of modest incomes. The county appeals to retirees, remote workers, and those seeking a balanced cost-of-living without premium pricing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.9Cost68.1SafetyComing SoonHealth77SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.9Risk25.2WaterComing Soon
🏛61.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠68.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼33.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
77
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
25.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Walworth County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Walworth County

via TaxByCounty

Walworth taxes above the national norm

Walworth County's effective tax rate of 1.437% sits well above the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the upper half of all U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay $3,964 in median annual property taxes—47% more than the national median of $2,690.

Right in line with Wisconsin average

Walworth's 1.437% effective rate matches Wisconsin's state average almost exactly, ranking it around the middle of Wisconsin's 72 counties. The county's median tax bill of $3,964 exceeds the state average of $3,081 by $883 annually.

Higher than most regional peers

Compared to neighboring Washburn County (1.109%) and Washington County (1.200%), Walworth's rate is notably steeper. Only Waukesha County in the region substantially outpaces Walworth at 1.211% effective rate.

What $275,900 home costs annually

The median Walworth home worth $275,900 incurs $3,964 in annual property taxes at the current rate. If you financed that home with a mortgage, your tax bill reaches $4,004 due to valuation differences.

You might be overassessed

Research shows many Wisconsin homeowners, including those in Walworth, are assessed above fair market value. Consider filing a property tax appeal with your local assessor—it's free and could reduce your annual tax burden.

Cost of Living in Walworth County

via CostByCounty

Walworth rents slightly above national norm

Walworth County renters spend 16.9% of their income on housing, outpacing the nation's typical 14.9% rent-to-income ratio. The median household income here is $77,359—about 3% above the national median of $74,755—but housing costs climb faster than earnings.

More expensive than most Wisconsin peers

Walworth's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Wisconsin's pricier counties, exceeding the state average of 14.9%. At $1,090 monthly rent versus the state average of $891, Walworth renters pay roughly $200 more per month for the same housing.

Waukesha is pricier; Waupaca is cheaper

Walworth's $1,090 median rent falls between its neighbors: Waukesha County charges $1,300 (19% higher) while Waupaca County averages just $834 (23% lower). Among homebuyers, Walworth's $275,900 median value is also middle-ground—pricier than rural neighbors but less than Waukesha's $373,600.

Renters, not owners, feel the squeeze

Walworth renters dedicate 16.9% of income to housing versus homeowners at just 15.5% of income for mortgage costs. The county's $77,359 median income supports both markets, but rental affordability is the tighter constraint.

Renters: consider Waupaca or Winnebago

If affordability is your priority, nearby Waupaca and Winnebago offer cheaper rents (14.1% and 15.2% rent-to-income ratios) while keeping you in southern Wisconsin. Homebuyers will find Walworth's $275,900 median price competitive regionally if they can clear the $77,000+ income threshold.

Income & Jobs in Walworth County

via IncomeByCounty

Walworth earns above the national average

Walworth County's median household income of $77,359 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about $2,600. This positions the county in the upper-middle tier nationally, outperforming roughly half of all U.S. counties in household earnings.

A top earner in Wisconsin

Walworth ranks among Wisconsin's higher-income counties, with its $77,359 median sitting $5,644 above the state average of $71,715. The county's per capita income of $42,771 also exceeds the state average of $38,794 by more than $3,900.

Strong income in the southeast region

Walworth's $77,359 median income outpaces nearby Winnebago County ($72,873) and falls below only the high-earning counties of Waukesha ($104,100) and Washington ($95,851) in the broader region. This positions Walworth as a solid middle ground for household earnings in southeast Wisconsin.

Housing costs are manageable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.9%, Walworth households spend just under one-fifth of income on housing—in line with the national standard. The median home value of $275,900 is accessible for a household earning $77,359, suggesting strong housing affordability relative to earnings.

Build financial security in Walworth

Walworth's above-average income provides real opportunity to invest beyond housing. Consider automating savings, diversifying into retirement accounts, or consulting a financial advisor to maximize wealth-building in this stable economic environment.

Health in Walworth County

via HealthByCounty

Walworth lives slightly longer than average

At 78.0 years, Walworth County residents live about 0.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 77.2 years. The county's 13.7% poor or fair health rate aligns closely with national trends, suggesting overall health outcomes comparable to the country as a whole.

Walworth edges ahead in state standings

Walworth's 78.0-year life expectancy ranks slightly above Wisconsin's 77.8-year average, positioning the county in the upper half of the state's health rankings. This modest advantage reflects relatively consistent healthcare access across the county's communities.

Stronger than rural northern neighbors

Walworth outpaces Washburn County (76.0 years) and Waupaca County (76.5 years), but trails the higher-performing eastern suburbs like Waukesha (80.3 years) and Washington (79.6 years). The gap widens notably in mental health provider availability: Walworth has 149 per 100K while Waukesha offers 315 per 100K.

Rising uninsured rates challenge access

Walworth's 7.8% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.0%, leaving roughly 1 in 13 residents without coverage. With 43 primary care providers per 100K—below the state's peer average—residents in underserved pockets may face longer waits for preventive appointments.

Explore your coverage options today

If you're among Walworth's 7.8% uninsured, connecting with a health insurance broker or visiting Wisconsin's marketplace can unlock affordable options and preventive care. Many employers and community health centers offer enrollment assistance during open season or upon qualifying life events.

Disaster Risk in Walworth County

via RiskByCounty

Walworth's risk sits above the middle

Walworth County scores 74.78 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low risk category nationally. This is 26% higher than Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, but well below the most hazard-prone counties across the country.

Middling risk within Wisconsin

Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, Walworth ranks in the upper-middle tier for overall disaster risk. The county's score reflects elevated tornado and flood risks that exceed state averages, though wildfire and earthquake threats remain modest.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Walworth faces notably higher composite risk (74.78) compared to nearby Waushara County (43.26) and Waupaca County (67.59). However, neighboring Waukesha County (88.87) presents substantially greater overall hazard exposure.

Tornadoes and floods dominate here

Tornado risk reaches 88.20 in Walworth—among the highest in the state—while flood risk scores 73.16, meaning significant portions of the county sit in flood-prone areas. Wildfire risk remains low at 25.25, posing minimal threat to most residents.

Prioritize flood and wind coverage

Walworth residents should ensure comprehensive homeowners insurance that covers wind damage from severe storms and tornadoes. Standard policies don't cover flooding; separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is essential for properties in high-risk zones.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.