Sauk County
WI · Pop. 65,759 · Suburban County
Sauk County is a suburban county in Wisconsin, spanning 832 square miles with 65,759 residents at a density of 79 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, soybeans. A median home price of $242,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.6°F and average winter lows of 13.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Reedsburg Area Medical Center is 8.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.5% 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 91.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Reedsburg Area Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.8% 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.5% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 13.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Sauk County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $242k
- Property tax
- 1.5%
- Growing season
- 169 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.9"
- Broadband
- 91.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Reedsburg Area Medical Center, 8.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sauk County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sauk County?
- Sauk County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.6°F, and average winter lows of 13.9°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $242,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.5%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Reedsburg Area Medical Center is 8.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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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The closest counties to Sauk 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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