Pierce County
WI · Pop. 42,351 · Suburban County
Pierce County is a suburban county in Wisconsin, spanning 574 square miles with 42,351 residents at a density of 73.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $309,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.48% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F and average winter lows of 8.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. River Falls Area Hospital is 12.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.48% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, River Falls Area Hospital, is 12.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 8.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Pierce County, WI is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 34/100
- Median home price
- $309k
- Property tax
- 1.48%
- Growing season
- 145 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.9"
- Broadband
- 98.2%
- Nearest hospital
- River Falls Area Hospital, 12.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Pierce County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Pierce County?
- Pierce County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F, and average winter lows of 8.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $309,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.48%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- River Falls Area Hospital is 12.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
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LandWatch
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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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