CountyScore

Waupaca County

Wisconsin · WI

#47 in Wisconsin
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Waupaca County, Wisconsin

Waupaca scores 30% above national baseline

Waupaca County's composite score of 65.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 15 points, placing it in the top 40% of American counties. The county offers solid, well-rounded livability across multiple dimensions.

Right at Wisconsin state average

Waupaca scores 65.0 against Wisconsin's average of 65.6, ranking at the state midpoint among all 72 counties. The county represents a balanced choice for Wisconsin residents.

Exceptional housing affordability

Waupaca excels with a cost score of 77.6 and some of Wisconsin's most affordable housing—median home value $192,800 and rent just $834 monthly. Health outcomes (75.4) remain solid despite smaller-market dynamics.

Lower incomes limit purchasing power

The income score of 29.9 reflects median household income of $71,189, significantly below state norms and limiting wealth accumulation. Risk resilience (32.4) indicates moderate economic vulnerability.

Suited for budget-first rural families

Waupaca appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low cost of living over wage potential. The county delivers outstanding affordability and decent health access for those comfortable with modest incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.3Cost77.6SafetyComing SoonHealth75.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.9Risk32.4WaterComing Soon
🏛60.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡32.4
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 Waupaca County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Montgomery County
Alabama
65
Median income: $58,153
Mohave County
Arizona
65
Median income: $55,799
Navajo County
Arizona
65
Median income: $52,752
Adams County
Illinois
65
Median income: $64,962
Massac County
Illinois
65
Median income: $62,584

Deep Dives

Waupaca County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Waupaca County

via TaxByCounty

Waupaca's taxes among highest in nation

Waupaca County carries Wisconsin's second-highest effective tax rate at 1.492%, placing it well above the national median and in the top tier of U.S. counties. Residents pay $2,876 in median annual property taxes despite having the state's lowest median home values.

Second-highest rate in Wisconsin

Waupaca's 1.492% effective rate ranks second-highest among Wisconsin's 72 counties, exceeded only by Winnebago County at 1.713%. This steep rate reflects the county's reliance on property taxes relative to home values and incomes.

Steeper taxes on modest homes

Waupaca's 1.492% rate far exceeds regional peers like Washburn (1.109%), Washington (1.200%), and Walworth (1.437%), making it the region's tax-heaviest county. Only Winnebago at 1.713% surpasses Waupaca's burden.

What $192,800 home costs annually

Despite having the region's lowest median home value at $192,800, Waupaca homeowners pay $2,876 annually—higher than Washburn and Waushara despite lower home prices. This inverted relationship reflects the county's elevated tax rate.

High rates make appeals even more valuable

In counties with above-average tax rates, even modest assessment reductions yield meaningful savings. Waupaca homeowners should prioritize property tax appeals—a successful challenge could save hundreds annually on modest-value homes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Waupaca County

via CostByCounty

Waupaca beats national affordability standard

Waupaca County renters spend just 14.1% of their income on housing, edging below the national 14.9% threshold. Though the median household income of $71,189 trails the national average by 5%, the county's modest $834 monthly rents deliver genuine affordability.

Among Wisconsin's most affordable

Waupaca ranks among Wisconsin's best-value counties with a 14.1% rent-to-income ratio below the state average of 14.9% and rents of just $834 versus $891 statewide. The county punches above its weight in affordability despite below-average incomes.

Cheaper than Walworth and Winnebago

Waupaca's $834 rent undercuts Walworth ($1,090) and Winnebago ($924) while matching the rural affordability of Waushara ($789). For value-conscious renters across central Wisconsin, Waupaca consistently delivers.

Renters have the advantage here

Waupaca renters spend 14.1% of income on housing—genuinely affordable—while homeowners spend 17.5% on mortgages, a larger burden. For renters earning $71,189, Waupaca offers breathing room that ownership does not.

Renters on modest budgets: consider Waupaca

Waupaca County delivers Wisconsin's best affordability for renters, combining below-state-average rent-to-income ratios with genuinely low absolute costs. If you're renting on a $71,000 income, Waupaca is worth serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Waupaca County

via IncomeByCounty

Waupaca holds its own nationally

Waupaca County's median household income of $71,189 falls slightly short of the national median of $74,755, placing it roughly at the 45th percentile. The county sits within striking distance of the national average, though some distance below the most affluent U.S. regions.

Just below Wisconsin's average income

Waupaca ranks near the middle of Wisconsin counties, with its $71,189 median income virtually aligned with the state average of $71,715. The county's per capita income of $40,581 exceeds Wisconsin's $38,794 average, suggesting a fairly typical distribution of earnings for the state.

Solid middle ground for the region

Waupaca's $71,189 income ranks above Waushara ($64,968) and Wood ($66,417), but trails Winnebago ($72,873) and Walworth ($77,359) in the broader northeast region. This positions Waupaca as a stable, moderate-income county in its peer group.

Housing costs well within budget

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 14.1%, Waupaca households spend comfortably below the national guideline on housing. The median home value of $192,800 is highly accessible for a household earning $71,189, leaving ample room for savings and other expenses.

Build steady wealth in Waupaca

Waupaca's moderate, stable income supports consistent wealth building. Focus on automatic savings, employer retirement plans, and gradual investment strategies to compound growth over time in this economically sound county.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Waupaca County

via HealthByCounty

Waupaca trails national health benchmarks

Waupaca County's 76.5-year life expectancy falls 0.7 years short of the U.S. average, while 15.3% of residents report poor or fair health. These metrics suggest chronic disease challenges that preventive care and coverage expansion could address.

Waupaca ranks in lower health tier

At 76.5 years, Waupaca's life expectancy sits 1.3 years below Wisconsin's 77.8-year average, placing the county in the lower half of state health rankings. Addressing preventive care gaps could gradually shift these outcomes upward.

Mirrors Washburn's rural health struggles

Waupaca (76.5 years) closely mirrors Washburn County (76.0 years) but underperforms Winnebago (77.9 years) to the east. Despite having 58 primary care providers per 100K, the county's below-average life expectancy suggests access or engagement barriers persist.

Moderate uninsured rate signals coverage gaps

Waupaca's 6.5% uninsured rate is below the state average but still leaves 1 in 15 residents without coverage, potentially delaying preventive care. With 107 mental health providers per 100K, psychiatric services lag behind wealthier eastern counties.

Connect with local enrollment assistance

Waupaca residents without insurance should reach out to local community health centers or Wisconsin's DHS office to explore BadgerCare and affordable marketplace plans. Covering the uninsured gap—even incrementally—can improve preventive care access and health outcomes county-wide.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Waupaca County

via RiskByCounty

Waupaca's risk slightly above average

Waupaca County scores 67.59, falling into the relatively low risk category despite running 14% above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. The county's composite risk places it in the moderate range nationally.

Upper-middle tier within Wisconsin

Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, Waupaca ranks in the upper half for natural disaster risk. Tornado and flood hazards drive the county's above-average score, while other risks remain relatively contained.

Comparable risk to nearby areas

Waupaca County (67.59) sits very close to neighboring Washington County (68.32) in composite risk. Both face similar threats, though Waupaca avoids the highest risk levels seen in Waukesha County (88.87) to the south.

Tornadoes and floods top the list

Tornado risk reaches 76.81 in Waupaca, while flood risk scores 66.28, creating dual exposure across much of the county. Wildfire risk (40.87) and earthquake risk (19.27) pose minimal threats, with zero hurricane exposure.

Don't skip flood insurance

Waupaca residents need strong wind and tornado coverage in their standard homeowners policies. For any property in a flood zone or with water damage history, National Flood Insurance Program coverage is essential and often surprisingly affordable.

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.