Richland County
WI · Pop. 17,229 · Suburban County
Richland County sits in Wisconsin across 586 square miles, home to 17,229 people at 29.4 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $183,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.41%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.9°F and average winter lows of 9.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Richland Hospital is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $183,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Richland Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 146-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.41% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 9.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Richland County, WI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $183k
- Property tax
- 1.41%
- Growing season
- 146 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.9"
- Broadband
- 82.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Richland Hospital, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Richland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Richland County?
- Richland County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.9°F, and average winter lows of 9.9°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $183,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.41%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Richland Hospital is 3.7 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Wisconsin
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The closest counties to Richland 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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