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Dodge County

WI · Pop. 88,818 · Mixed County

45/100Homestead Score

Dodge County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Wisconsin, spanning 876 square miles with 88,818 residents at a density of 101.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $218,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.55%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 157-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F and average winter lows of 11.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Marshfield Medical Center - Beaver Dam is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.55%
Growing Season: 157 days
Broadband: 98.7%
Density: 101.4/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Marshfield Medical Center - Beaver Dam, with an emergency room, is just 6.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.7% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 7.9% 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 157-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.55% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • Average winter lows of 11.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Dodge County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
45/100
Median home price
$218k
Property tax
1.55%
Growing season
157 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
33.3"
Broadband
98.7%
Nearest hospital
Marshfield Medical Center - Beaver Dam, 6.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.55%
Median Household Income$73,992
Poverty Rate7.9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$218K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season157 days
Annual Rainfall33.3 inches
Avg Summer High79.4°F
Avg Winter Low11.5°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado9/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMarshfield Medical Center - Beaver Dam (6.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Dodge County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Dodge County?
Dodge County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 157-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F, and average winter lows of 11.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $218,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.55%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Marshfield Medical Center - Beaver Dam is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.

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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.