Ashland County
WI · Pop. 16,050 · Rural County
Ashland County is a rural county in Wisconsin, spanning 1,045 square miles with 16,050 residents at a density of 15.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $161,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 123-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.1°F and average winter lows of 6.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Memorial Medical Center is 10.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 70.9% of homes.
Pros
- A median home price of $161,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Memorial Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 10.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 15.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 123-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.47% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Broadband reaches only 70.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 6.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Ashland County, WI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $161k
- Property tax
- 1.47%
- Growing season
- 123 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.1"
- Broadband
- 70.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Memorial Medical Center, 10.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ashland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ashland County?
- Ashland County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 123-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.1°F, and average winter lows of 6.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $161,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.47%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 70.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Memorial Medical Center is 10.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Wisconsin
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The closest counties to Ashland County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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