Marathon County
WI · Pop. 138,067 · Suburban County
Marathon County sits in Wisconsin across 1,545 square miles, home to 138,067 people at 89.4 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, haylage, hay. The median home price is $206,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.8°F and average winter lows of 9.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Aspirus Wausau Hospital is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Aspirus Wausau Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, haylage, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.9% 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 147-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.51% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 9.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Marathon County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 45/100
- Median home price
- $206k
- Property tax
- 1.51%
- Growing season
- 147 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.4"
- Broadband
- 92.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Aspirus Wausau Hospital, 6.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marathon County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marathon County?
- Marathon County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.8°F, and average winter lows of 9.1°F. The established crops are corn, haylage, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $206,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.51%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Aspirus Wausau Hospital is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Wisconsin
All Wisconsin countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Marathon 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.