Brown County
WI · Pop. 269,425 · Urban County
Brown County is an urban county in Wisconsin, spanning 530 square miles with 269,425 residents at a density of 508.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, haylage, hay. A median home price of $246,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.46% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.5°F and average winter lows of 11.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 30.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Vincent Hospital is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St Vincent Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, haylage, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 150-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.46% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 11.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Brown County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 42/100
- Median home price
- $246k
- Property tax
- 1.46%
- Growing season
- 150 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 30.5"
- Broadband
- 99.1%
- Nearest hospital
- St Vincent Hospital, 2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Brown County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Brown County?
- Brown County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.5°F, and average winter lows of 11.6°F. The established crops are corn, haylage, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $246,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.46%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Vincent Hospital is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 hospitals in the county.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Wisconsin
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The closest counties to Brown 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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