Manitowoc County
WI · Pop. 81,314 · Mixed County
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin covers 589 square miles with a population of 81,314 and a density of 138.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on haylage, corn, hay. A median home price of $173,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.54% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.7°F and average winter lows of 14.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 30.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Aurora Medical Ctr Manitowoc County is 3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $173,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Aurora Medical Ctr Manitowoc County, with an emergency room, is just 3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on haylage, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.54% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Manitowoc County, WI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $173k
- Property tax
- 1.54%
- Growing season
- 174 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 30.3"
- Broadband
- 96.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Aurora Medical Ctr Manitowoc County, 3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Manitowoc County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Manitowoc County?
- Manitowoc County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.7°F, and average winter lows of 14.9°F. The established crops are haylage, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $173,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.54%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Aurora Medical Ctr Manitowoc County is 3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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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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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