CountyScore

Winnebago County

Wisconsin · WI

#66 in Wisconsin
61.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Winnebago County, Wisconsin

Winnebago exceeds national median by 23%

Winnebago County's score of 61.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 11.6 points, ranking it solidly in the upper 40% of American counties. The county demonstrates balanced livability fundamentals overall.

Below Wisconsin state average

With a score of 61.6, Winnebago falls below Wisconsin's average of 65.6, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 72 counties. The county ranks below most Wisconsin peers in overall livability.

Good housing affordability and health care

Winnebago scores well on cost (74.7) with affordable housing—median home value $208,600 and rent at $924—and maintains solid health outcomes (77.9). The county offers reasonable value for cost-conscious households.

Higher taxes and modest incomes

The tax score of 54.1 reflects Wisconsin's highest effective rate at 1.713%, significantly burdening residents. The income score of 31.0 with median household income $72,873 limits wealth building and economic resilience (13.2).

For tax-aware, health-conscious families

Winnebago suits households valuing healthcare access and housing affordability while accepting modest incomes and higher tax rates. The county works best for retirees on fixed incomes and cost-conscious families willing to budget for taxes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.1Cost74.7SafetyComing SoonHealth77.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome31Risk13.2WaterComing Soon
🏛54.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡13.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Winnebago County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calaveras County
California
61.6
Median income: $79,877
Volusia County
Florida
61.6
Median income: $66,581
Washoe County
Nevada
61.6
Median income: $85,600
Butler County
Ohio
61.6
Median income: $81,194
Greene County
Ohio
61.6
Median income: $85,218

Deep Dives

Winnebago County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Winnebago County

via TaxByCounty

Winnebago has nation's highest tax rates

Winnebago County's 1.713% effective tax rate is among the highest in the nation, nearly 56% above the national median. Residents pay $3,573 in median annual property taxes despite having modest home values around $208,600.

Wisconsin's most heavily taxed county

Winnebago County carries the highest effective tax rate of any Wisconsin county at 1.713%, far exceeding the state average of 1.436%. This steep burden reflects significant municipal service costs and property tax reliance relative to local incomes.

Regional tax burden leader

Winnebago's 1.713% rate substantially exceeds all regional peers, from Washburn (1.109%) to Waupaca (1.492%), making it Wisconsin's most property-tax-dependent county. This rate reflects the Oshkosh-Appleton metro area's infrastructure and service needs.

What $208,600 home costs annually

The median Winnebago home valued at $208,600 incurs $3,573 in annual property taxes—the third-highest among profiled counties despite having lower home values. Mortgaged properties face $3,522, while unmortgaged ones pay $3,660.

Maximum savings potential here

In Wisconsin's highest-tax county, property tax appeals offer outsized savings opportunities. Winnebago homeowners should aggressively challenge assessments—even a modest 1% reduction delivers $20+ in annual savings on a typical home.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Winnebago County

via CostByCounty

Winnebago slightly above national benchmark

Winnebago County's 15.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national 14.9%, placing modest pressure on renters despite a median household income of $72,873 just below the national average. At $924 monthly rent, Winnebago costs more than rural peers but less than wealthy suburbs.

Mid-range affordability across Wisconsin

Winnebago ranks solidly average among Wisconsin counties with a 15.2% rent-to-income ratio slightly above the state's 14.9% and rents of $924 versus $891 statewide. The county offers moderate housing costs without the affordability premiums of its rural neighbors.

More expensive than rural, cheaper than suburbs

Winnebago's $924 rent sits between rural bargains like Waushara ($789) and Washburn ($815) and suburban demands like Walworth ($1,090) and Waukesha ($1,300). The county serves as the affordability bridge between Wisconsin's rural and urban housing markets.

Renting and owning roughly balanced

Winnebago renters spend 15.2% of income on housing while homeowners spend 18.5%, reflecting modest income growth. With median home values at $208,600, the county's $72,873 income supports both markets reasonably well.

Relocate for balance, not bargains

Winnebago County offers solid middle-ground housing costs without the premium pricing of wealthy suburbs or the rural isolation of budget alternatives. Move here if you value community amenities and moderate affordability over extreme bargain-hunting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Winnebago County

via IncomeByCounty

Winnebago slightly trails national earnings

Winnebago County's median household income of $72,873 falls modestly below the national median of $74,755 by about $1,882. The county sits near the national middle ground, performing comparably to typical U.S. counties in terms of household earnings.

Close to Wisconsin's state average

Winnebago ranks in the middle of Wisconsin counties, with its $72,873 median income just $1,158 above the state average of $71,715. Per capita income of $40,072 also tracks near Wisconsin's $38,794 state average, reflecting typical earnings distribution for the state.

Moderate income in northeast Wisconsin

Winnebago's $72,873 median income positions it above Waushara ($64,968) and Wood ($66,417), but below Waupaca ($71,189), Walworth ($77,359), and the wealthier counties of Washington and Waukesha. This places Winnebago as a solid middle-income county in its region.

Housing costs balanced with income

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.2%, Winnebago households spend a reasonable proportion of earnings on housing. The median home value of $208,600 is accessible for a household earning $72,873, though less spacious than lower-cost nearby areas.

Steady wealth building in Winnebago

Winnebago's moderate, stable income supports consistent financial progress. Establish an emergency fund, contribute regularly to retirement accounts, and consider modest investment strategies to build long-term wealth in this balanced economic environment.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Winnebago County

via HealthByCounty

Winnebago matches America's health baseline

Winnebago County's 77.9-year life expectancy aligns closely with the U.S. average of 77.2 years, with 14.8% reporting poor or fair health. The county represents typical American health outcomes, neither standout nor struggling.

Winnebago hovers near state average

At 77.9 years, Winnebago's life expectancy slightly exceeds Wisconsin's 77.8-year average, placing it solidly in the state's middle tier. The county performs roughly in line with state benchmarks across most metrics.

Outpaces rural counties, trails suburbs

Winnebago (77.9 years) meaningfully outperforms rural Washburn (76.0), Waupaca (76.5), and Waushara (77.6), but trails affluent Waukesha (80.3) and Washington (79.6) counties. Its 299 mental health providers per 100K signal robust psychiatric care—among the best in this group.

Below-average uninsured rate, solid provider access

Winnebago's 5.7% uninsured rate beats the state average, while 79 primary care providers per 100K offers reasonable appointment availability. Most residents can access preventive care without long delays or coverage barriers.

Use open enrollment to optimize coverage

Winnebago's strong coverage baseline means most residents hold plans, but annual enrollment periods let you review options for better fit or savings. If you're in the 5.7% uninsured, local health centers and navigators can guide you to affordable marketplace or Medicaid plans.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Winnebago County

via RiskByCounty

Winnebago faces significant risk

Winnebago County scores 86.83 on the composite risk index, placing it in the relatively moderate risk category and 47% above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. The county ranks among Wisconsin's highest-risk communities for natural disasters.

Top-tier risk statewide

Winnebago ranks at the very top of Wisconsin's risk tier, exceeded only by a handful of counties. Multiple high-impact hazards converge here, particularly tornado and flood exposure.

Winnebago's risk stands apart

Winnebago's composite score of 86.83 closely parallels Waukesha County (88.87) as among the state's riskiest. It significantly exceeds surrounding Waupaca County (67.59) and Waushara County (43.26).

Tornado and flood risks peak here

Tornado risk reaches 91.25 in Winnebago—among Wisconsin's highest threat levels—while flood risk scores 89.34, affecting major urban and surrounding areas. Wildfire risk (40.17) poses secondary concern.

Comprehensive insurance is mandatory

Winnebago residents must secure robust homeowners insurance with strong wind and tornado protection. Flood insurance is critical for the county's extensive flood-prone zones; don't assume you're safe without professional assessment of your property's flood risk.

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.