Green Lake County
WI · Pop. 19,165 · Suburban County
Green Lake County, Wisconsin covers 350 square miles with a population of 19,165 and a density of 54.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $206,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.31% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 141-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.2°F and average winter lows of 9.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ripon Medical Center is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.5% 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.
Pros
- Ripon Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A median household income of $66,917 anchors the 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 141-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.31% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 9.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Green Lake County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 45/100
- Median home price
- $206k
- Property tax
- 1.31%
- Growing season
- 141 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.3"
- Broadband
- 82.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Ripon Medical Center, 8.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Green Lake County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Green Lake County?
- Green Lake County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 141-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.2°F, and average winter lows of 9.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $206,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.31%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ripon Medical Center is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Wisconsin
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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.
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