Lafayette County
WI · Pop. 16,788 · Suburban County
Lafayette County, Wisconsin covers 634 square miles with a population of 16,788 and a density of 26.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $182,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.64%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F and average winter lows of 11.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County is 2.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 67.3% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $182,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County, with an emergency room, is just 2.2 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 10.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A 153-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.64% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Broadband reaches only 67.3% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 11.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Lafayette County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $182k
- Property tax
- 1.64%
- Growing season
- 153 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.9"
- Broadband
- 67.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County, 2.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lafayette County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lafayette County?
- Lafayette County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F, and average winter lows of 11.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $182,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.64%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 67.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County is 2.2 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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More counties in Wisconsin
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The closest counties to Lafayette 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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