Portage County
WI · Pop. 70,375 · Suburban County
Portage County sits in Wisconsin across 801 square miles, home to 70,375 people at 87.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, potatoes. The median home price is $230,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.47%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F and average winter lows of 9.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Aspirus Plover Hospital is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.5% 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 96.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Aspirus Plover Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, potatoes means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.2% 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 1.47% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 9.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Portage County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 52/100
- Median home price
- $230k
- Property tax
- 1.47%
- Growing season
- 147 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.6"
- Broadband
- 96.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Aspirus Plover Hospital, 1.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Portage County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Portage County?
- Portage County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F, and average winter lows of 9.3°F. The established crops are corn, hay, potatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $230,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.47%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Aspirus Plover Hospital is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
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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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