Jefferson County
WI · Pop. 85,867 · Mixed County
Jefferson County sits in Wisconsin across 556 square miles, home to 85,867 people at 154.4 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $254,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.57% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F and average winter lows of 13.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 37 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Fort Memorial Hospital is 6.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.9% 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 98.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Fort Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.3 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 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.1% 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 159-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.57% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 13.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Jefferson County, WI is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 36/100
- Median home price
- $254k
- Property tax
- 1.57%
- Growing season
- 159 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37"
- Broadband
- 98.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Fort Memorial Hospital, 6.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F, and average winter lows of 13.1°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $254,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.57%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Fort Memorial Hospital is 6.3 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in Wisconsin
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The closest counties to Jefferson 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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