Forest County
WI · Pop. 9,261 · Rural County
Forest County, Wisconsin covers 1,014 square miles with a population of 9,261 and a density of 9.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $170,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.17%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 123-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.2°F and average winter lows of 6.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital is 29.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 52% of homes.
Pros
- A median home price of $170,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 9.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A median household income of $59,727 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- A 123-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 52% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital, is 29.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 6.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Forest County, WI is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 36/100
- Median home price
- $170k
- Property tax
- 1.17%
- Growing season
- 123 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.5"
- Broadband
- 52%
- Nearest hospital
- Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital, 29.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Forest County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Forest County?
- Forest County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 123-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.2°F, and average winter lows of 6.4°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $170,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.17%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 52% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital is 29.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Forest 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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