CountyScore

Waushara County

Wisconsin · WI

#21 in Wisconsin
67.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Waushara County, Wisconsin

Waushara outperforms national average

Waushara County's score of 67.6 beats the national median of 50.0 by 17.6 points, ranking it in the top 38% of U.S. counties. The county provides solid livability with strong affordability as a foundation.

Above Wisconsin state average

At 67.6, Waushara outperforms Wisconsin's average of 65.6 and ranks in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. The county stands among Wisconsin's more livable options.

Exceptional affordability with solid health

Waushara shines with a cost score of 80.2—tied for best among these eight counties—with median home value at $186,000 and rent at just $789. Health (70.8) and tax burden (65.1) remain reasonable despite rural character.

Limited income growth opportunities

The income score of 25.8 reflects median household earnings of $64,968, well below state average and limiting economic advancement. Risk resilience (56.8) is moderate, indicating some vulnerability to economic downturns.

Perfect for affordability-focused remote workers

Waushara attracts retirees, entrepreneurs, and remote workers seeking maximum affordability without sacrificing health access. The county excels for those willing to trade limited local income for exceptional living cost advantages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax65.1Cost80.2SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.8Risk56.8WaterComing Soon
🏛65.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡56.8
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 Waushara County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lonoke County
Arkansas
67.6
Median income: $71,449
Fayette County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $58,764
Madison County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $89,542
Anderson County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $64,925
Meade County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $74,868

Deep Dives

Waushara County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Waushara County

via TaxByCounty

Waushara taxes moderate by national standards

Waushara County's 1.321% effective tax rate exceeds the national median, placing it slightly above the U.S. average. Median property taxes of $2,458 are 9% higher than the national median of $2,690, reflecting modest home values in a moderately taxed county.

Below Wisconsin's state average

Waushara's 1.321% rate sits below Wisconsin's state average of 1.436%, positioning it in the lower half of state counties. The median tax of $2,458 is well below the state average of $3,081 due to lower home values.

Mid-range taxes in the region

Waushara's 1.321% rate falls between Washburn's bargain 1.109% and Waupaca's steep 1.492%, making it a regional middle ground. Compared to more affluent neighbors like Waukesha, Waushara offers tax relief despite higher rates than Washburn.

What $186,000 home costs annually

The median Waushara home worth $186,000 carries $2,458 in annual property taxes—among the state's lowest in absolute terms. With a mortgage, taxes rise slightly to $2,483; without one, they drop to $2,427.

Lower-value properties benefit from appeals too

Even modest-value homes like Waushara's median $186,000 property can be overassessed, and appeals remain free and accessible. A successful appeal reducing your assessment by just 5% saves over $60 annually on a Waushara home.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Waushara County

via CostByCounty

Waushara: rural affordability champion

Waushara County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio beats the national 14.9% and matches Wisconsin's 14.9% state average despite a median income of just $64,968. The county's $789 monthly rent is among the state's lowest, making it genuinely affordable for modest-income households.

Wisconsin's cheapest rents, best ratios

Waushara offers Wisconsin's lowest absolute rents ($789 vs. state average $891) paired with a 14.6% rent-to-income ratio matching state averages. For budget-stretched families, Waushara's rural affordability is unmatched across the state.

Waushara and Washburn dominate rural value

Waushara's $789 rent edges out Washburn ($815) as the region's cheapest, while both rural counties vastly undercut suburban Walworth ($1,090) and Winnebago ($924). For affordability-first movers, this rural corridor is Wisconsin's bargain.

Low income, lower costs align perfectly

Waushara's $64,968 median income pairs with equally modest housing: $789 rent and $923 monthly owner costs. The county demonstrates that rural Wisconsin can offer balanced affordability even for lower-income earners.

Budget relocators: Waushara awaits

Waushara County is Wisconsin's most affordable option for renters and owners on tight budgets, with $789 rents and a 14.6% rent-to-income ratio matching state standards. If you're earning under $65,000, Waushara offers the state's clearest path to housing stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Waushara County

via IncomeByCounty

Waushara falls below the national average

Waushara County's median household income of $64,968 trails the national median of $74,755 by approximately $9,787. This places the county in the lower-middle range nationally, indicating below-average household earnings compared to typical U.S. counties.

Below Wisconsin's average earnings

Waushara ranks in the lower-middle tier of Wisconsin counties, with its $64,968 median income falling $6,747 below the state average of $71,715. Per capita income of $39,624 also lags Wisconsin's state average of $38,794, indicating economic challenges in the county.

Modest income in central Wisconsin

Waushara's $64,968 median household income exceeds only Wood County ($66,417) in its immediate peer group, falling below Winnebago ($72,873) and Waupaca ($71,189). This economic position reflects Waushara's rural character and smaller employment base.

Affordable housing supports household budgets

Waushara's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% is favorable, and the median home value of $186,000 is highly affordable relative to the $64,968 median income. This housing affordability provides meaningful relief for households managing lower overall earnings.

Disciplined saving in Waushara

Below-average income requires intentional financial planning and discipline. Leverage the county's affordable housing to maximize savings, explore community development resources, and seek skill-building opportunities that could increase earning potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Waushara County

via HealthByCounty

Waushara faces significant health headwinds

Waushara County's 77.6-year life expectancy nearly matches the U.S. average, but its 19.2% poor or fair health rate—the highest among these eight counties—signals substantial chronic disease and limited wellness engagement. This gap between life expectancy and health perception suggests many residents live with preventable illness.

Waushara's health ranks below state average

Though Waushara's 77.6-year life expectancy approximates Wisconsin's 77.8-year average, the county's 19.2% poor or fair health rate is the worst in this comparison. Chronic disease prevalence appears notably higher than peer counties.

Worst health perception in regional peer group

Waushara's 19.2% poor or fair health rate dramatically exceeds Winnebago County (14.8%) and all other neighbors, signaling unique population health challenges. With only 28 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest here—residents lack basic preventive infrastructure.

Severe primary care shortage deepens disparities

Waushara's 8.8% uninsured rate is the highest among these counties, compounded by critical primary care scarcity at just 28 providers per 100K. This dual shortage—coverage and providers—creates a coverage-access crisis that delays diagnosis and treatment.

Urgent action on coverage expansion needed

Waushara's 8.8% uninsured rate demands immediate outreach through community health worker programs and BadgerCare enrollment drives. Contact Wisconsin's DHS or visit a local health department to explore subsidized coverage, telehealth options, and rural health clinics that stretch provider resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Waushara County

via RiskByCounty

Waushara's risk falls below state norm

Waushara County scores 43.26 on the composite risk index, ranking in the relatively low risk category and 27% below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. The county faces lower natural disaster exposure than most Wisconsin communities.

Among Wisconsin's safer counties

Waushara ranks in the lower half of Wisconsin's 72 counties for disaster risk. The county's central location and moderate exposure to most hazard types create a genuinely favorable risk profile.

Safer than surrounding counties

Waushara's composite score of 43.26 is substantially lower than nearby Walworth County (74.78), Waupaca County (67.59), and Winnebago County (86.83). It remains among the safest communities in central Wisconsin.

Wildfire risk leads all hazards

Wildfire risk scores 51.27 in Waushara—the county's highest hazard score, though still moderate overall. Tornado (60.21) and flood (44.94) risks follow, with all three remaining well below dangerous thresholds.

Standard coverage likely sufficient

Waushara residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with fire and wind protection. Flood insurance is recommended only for properties in mapped flood zones, and most residents can skip this added expense.

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.